Women with beautiful skin know that skipping sunscreen is a dealbreaker. The sun's rays are overwhelmingly to blame for aging our skin. Think dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, larger pores, loss of collagen. Not cute.

No matter what the latest anti-aging potion promises, sunscreen reigns supreme as the king of skincare. Look for a broad-spectrum SPF, preferably 30 or higher, and make it a morning must. And no, the SPF in your makeup doesn't count.

2. They're religious 

Women with incredible skin don't skip their morning and evening skincare routine. They cleanse, gently exfoliate, and moisturize, and wouldn't dream of wearing makeup to bed! Even after the most miserably long day, the prospect of clogged pores, acne, or dull, drab skin makes skipping their ritual a non-starter. After a glass or three of wine, what's worse than waking up with a headache? Waking up with a headache and crappy skin!



3. They’re not gonna flake.

We shed dead skin cells on the daily, but our natural skin turnover slows as we age. 

Regular exfoliation promotes clear skin, collagen production and allows for flawless makeup application. 

Everyone's skin has different needs, so some trial and error may be necessary. Certain complexions can handle daily exfoliation, while others only need twice-weekly sloughing sessions.

Gone are the days of your trusty apricot scrub. Ouch! Skincare products with gentle acids like salicylic, lactic, glycolic, or mandelic acid have a gradual peeling effect. 

If you must scrub, be gentle! Getting overzealous can lead to micro-tears, compromise the skin barrier, and/or cause broken capillaries. Listen to your skin. If it's red, raw, or sensitive, back off or try a different product.

4. They hit the bottle. 



Women with flawless skin know that ample H20 is essential for their health and keeps their skin on fleek. The Mayo Clinic recommends between 11.5 cups (8 fl oz x 11.5 ) for the average healthy female. Around 20% of our hydration comes from the food we eat, so aim for about eight 8oz glasses of water each day to get your skin glowing.

5. They're picky eaters.

Eating healthy is good for our health, our figure, and our face.

With age, our natural collagen stores decrease. Collagen is the very framework of our skin, giving it structure and keeping it plump. Foods high in protein help your body produce collagen. And antioxidant-rich veggies and fruit protect the precious collagen we still have.

No one likes to hear this, but if luminous skin is on your wish list, you'll want to limit your intake of sweets and refined carbs. When sugar binds with protein in the body, a process called glycation disrupts healthy collagen deposition. The result is crinkly, wrinkly, sagging skin over time. Told ya this one’s no fun!



6. They get sweaty.

Exercise gets the blood moving, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the skin. Working up a sweat doesn't have to happen on a stair master, either (though I hear that's a great way to sculpt the booty). You can get your blood pumping on a brisk walk, chasing your kiddos around, or cranking your favorite music and busting out your best moves. Choose a form of exercise you enjoy and are likely to stick with.

7. They get to bed.

I mean, it's called beauty sleep for a reason. Parental and professional obligations can stress us out and make it hard to get enough shut-eye. But stress and exhaustion can show up on our skin. Six to eight hours of quality sleep gives your mind, body, and skin the time it needs to repair and refresh. 



8. They've got the secret sauce. 

There are boatloads of skincare products out there, so it's natural to feel overwhelmed when it comes to building a regimen. Women with great skin know that effective skincare comes down to quality, targeted ingredients. Ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids, Vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, ceramides, and niacinamide improve skin texture and tone. 

The most trusted source for hype-worthy skincare is a skincare professional. Medical-grade products contain the highest quality ingredients and undergo rigorous testing. And don't underestimate the benefit of guidance from a qualified professional. They're familiar with the products they offer and will recommend one suited to your skin type and concerns. This can eliminate wasteful "trial-and-error" spending, and assuming results are the goal, you'll surely see a return on your investment.