One of the key factors for youth and beauty is glowing, even toned-skin. Therefore, as you get older, you must become more vigilant in applying sunscreen. Ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun is the most common cause for uneven skin tone (or hyperpigmentation). Also, skin cell turnover slows down as you age, and that can also cause your once radiant skin to appear dull. With the right products and proper care, you can turn back the signs on the clock. Just look at the picture that Jennifer Aniston (44 years old) just posted without makeup! At the Chow Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, we recommend that you follow these steps to be on your way to brighter skin.

Have a good skin care regimen. Make sure that you are using the right cleanser for your skin type. You don’t need to over cleanse, just wash your face once in the morning and once at night. To get rid of dead skin cells, you also want to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week (the Vivité Exfoliating facial cleanser is my favorite!). You also want to make sure that you are using a good moisturizer. It’s even better if you incorporate antioxidants into your skin care regime, such as the SkinMedica ® Vitamin C+E complex. It helps to fight free radicals and improve overall skin tone, texture, and firmness.

Get extra help. We all need extra help sometimes, and usually, just a good skin care regimen alone won’t give you the glowing flawless skin that you desire. This is when you want to add some more products to give your skin the extra boost that it needs. Another great product that gets rid of hyperpigmentation and evens out your skin tone is the Lytera™ Skin Brightening Complex by SkinMedica ®. It’s also great for all skin types and available without a prescription!

Seek a professional. Chemical peels can greatly improve the quality of your skin. Not only do they improve the overall appearance of your skin, but they can be customized to address specific concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, etc. Dr. Chow makes certain to provide excellent peels with minimal or even no downtime. Purchase a set to get optimal results; you will notice more of a difference with a package of peels.

Live a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to take care of your body and health as well. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise! It really makes a difference in the way you look and feel. Also, don’t forget to hydrate! Even I constantly forget to drink enough water. Try to mix it up a little with coconut water or green tea (but stay away from those sugary drinks like juice and soda) for some extra hydration and antioxidant benefits!

Follow these tips and make sure to always protect your skin from the sun! Taking these steps will definitely lead to more vibrant, brighter, and healthier skin over time.