get gorgeous skin from head to toe

All-over beauty: The easiest way to get gorgeous skin from head to toe



While most of us make atleast some effort to keep the skin on our faces clean, moisturized,and well-maintained, the rest of our bodies, and any specific skinissues, often fall into a state of at least semi, if not full-on,neglect.

That's a big beauty blunder, according to experts—since theskin, head-to-toe, is our largest organ, it's also one that canmake us look inadvertently older and less healthy than we reallyare. "The skin differs, depending on where it is on thebody," says dermatologist MariaTsoukas, MD, PhD, an assistant professor at the University ofChicago Pritzker School of Medicine, "so it requiresspecialized care."

You already know what the first two words from any credentialedpair of lips will be: "SPF 30". Beyond that, here's aguide to a full-body radiance:






FACE
Big Complaint: Fine lines and age spots
Expert Fix: Amidst the slew of products that promise youth, the one dermatologists agree youshould try (at least if you're not going to see a doctor) is anover-the-counter moisturizer with the vitamin-A derivativeRetinol–unless you're pregnant, in which case you should checkwith your doctor. "Retinol exfoliatesmicroscopically and helps the complexion look fresh," explainsPamela Jakubowicz, MD, a dermatologist at Montefiore MedicalCenter in New York. She also recommends lotions with soy for discoloration and old acne marks."There are some studies to show that soy helps with sunspots," she says.






NECKBigComplaint: Crêpe-paper texture
Expert Fix: "Oh, you mean the chickenskin?" asks Bella Schneider owner of LaBelle Day Spas& Salons in the San Francisco Bay area. "Thefirst thing I recommend is to tone the neck muscles, because whenyou build volume, the skin tightens and you really get alift." To that end, Scott-Vincent Borba, a celebrityesthetician who has worked with AnnaLynne McCord and Ashley Greene,prescribes a daily exercise anyone can do: Try to touch thetip of your nose with your tongue 50 times while massaging inmoisturizer or cream using upward strokes to the jawline.







DÉCOLLETAGEBigComplaint: Mottled cleavage
Expert fix: Poikiloderma of Civatte maysound like a comic-book villain, but it's actually the medicalterm for that reddish, spotty, crinkly skin between yourbreasts—the result of chronic sun exposure—and it affects the neckas well. "You can use face products here," says HeidiWaldorf, MD, associate clinical professor at Mount SinaiHospital's department of dermatology in New York, "butmore gently. Since the neck and chest have fewer oilglands than the face, start slowly with the retinols, and be sureto moisturize." In a low-neckline emergency,redness-disguising self-tanner or bronzer can also save the day.





BACKBigComplaint: Back acne
Expert Fix: Cleanse once or twice a day with adrug-store wash containing salicylic acid or benzoylperoxide. "These ingredients can help remove the oilsfrom the skin, decrease inflammation, and reduce bacterialgrowth," says Andrea Cambio, MD, adermatologist in Bokeelia, Florida. "Don't scrub becauseyou can irritate grumpy bumps into a worsebreakout." Jakubowicz notes that for the samereason, you probably shouldn't go any higher with the benzoylperoxide than 2.5 %. She also suggests making sure that your hairproducts aren't somehow dripping on your back and contributingto the problem (Isopropyl myristate is one ingredient to look outfor). And Waldorf adds that when you exercise, it's importantto wear lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics, and rinse offas soon as you're done. "If the problem persists,"she says, "see a dermatologist because you may need aprescription cream or oral medication."






ARMSBigComplaint: Sandpaper elbows
Expert Fix: Exfoliate like a demon and smotherwith butter—that's the basic idea. Here you can scrub.And when you're done? "Shea butter, cocoa butter,and Vaseline are great for these spots," says Jakubowicz. Forextra softening, Schneider suggests covering your moisturizedelbows with cellophane for 10 minutes. "I don't thinkanybody has more patience than that," she says, "unlessyou love to lie around and be wrapped."






HANDSBigComplaint: Old-lady hands
Expert Fix. Tsoukas tells her patientsusing retinol products on their face to rub the last little bitinto the backs of their hands, although the skin there is thickerand more resistant to improvement. Schneider is a big believer inolive oil for beautifying the hands (use fine quality oil and rubinto the skin thoroughly.) To address age spots, for those whodon't want to use hydroquinone products, she suggests making alactic acid lightening paste of whole milk, a little full-fatyogurt and a squeeze of lemon juice. "Massage into your handsreally well," she says. "And then just stick them into awarmed pair of cotton gloves for about 10 minutes."





STOMACHBigComplaint: Stretch marks
Expert Fix: To be honest, there's nomagic bullet here. Shea butter, cocoa butter, andVaseline may help prevent stretch marks. Once youhave them, though, they are very difficult to treat,says Tsoukas. Prescription-strength retinoids can help alittle. Whether various lasers are worth it is debatable, but shehas found that the Fraxel can lessen redness and improvetexture.





FEETBigComplaint: Ugly calluses
Expert Fix. As designer heels teeter higher,our calluses grow thicker. Medicated salicylic acid pads(Jakubowicz suggests using 40%) can soften the really toughskin. For general care, manicurist Marsha Bialo, who'sknown for keeping the extremities of stars like Jessica Alba andJessica Simpson camera-ready, has a routine. Start by soaking yourfeet in clean, soapy water and patting the skin dry. You'llneed two foot files. These come in different grits—the higher thenumber, the finer the texture—and ideally, you want to start with acoarser file and finish with a softer one. "File gently,"she coaches. "Rather than sawing back and forth, I like to goaround and up, making a C motion, so I don't scar theskin." After you polish the area smooth, massage yourfeet with moisturizer—you don't need anything fancy, A&Dointment for babies works wonders, Bailo says. "Women alwaysforget to do this. But beautiful feet? What a kick."






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