Call it nagging, call it scolding, call it…good advice? Take a second to listen to your mother—and get better skin for it.
1. “JUNK FOOD WILL RUIN YOUR SKIN.”
Conventional wisdom used to be that diet didn’t affect your complexion. But a recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that people who replaced processed carbs with foods high in protein and whole grains broke out less. The reason? “High-glycemic foods cause your blood sugar to rise, triggering a surge of insulin. The insulin stimulates oil-producing hormones called androgens, leaving you with pimples,” says Leslie Baumann, professor and director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. Cut the junk, and you could see an improvement in your acne in about six weeks.
2. “IT’S PAST YOUR BEDTIME.”
They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothin’. “Sleep deprivation causes stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis,” says Grossman. “Sleep is also the time when your body repairs the damage from the day, and interrupting that process will slow down cell turnover.” This interferes with proper blood flow to the skin, making your complexion sallow.
3. “ALWAYS WASH YOUR FACE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED.”
Letting skin marinate in makeup (and a day’s worth of oil buildup) can lead to clogged pores and zits, especially if you’re prone to acne. “Your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, which can enhance absorption of whatever’s on the surface,” says Rodan. “So you really want only beneficial ingredients on your face when you sleep.” Ideally, that means anti-aging retinol, as well as hydrating ingredients like glycerin. If you’re too wiped to wash, swipe your face with a premoistened cleansing cloth designed to take off makeup and dirt.
4. “GET OFF THE PHONE.”
Resting your chin or cheek against a phone—cell or old-school—can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. “Just leaning your face against it can cause friction, occlusion, and heat, all of which can make you break out,” says Rodan. Consider a headset.
5. “SIT LIKE A LADY.”
Yes, cross your legs. But do so at the ankles, instead of the knees, to help prevent spider veins. Although multiple factors contribute to the veins, “increased pressure from crossing your legs can lead to more,” says Grossman. So if you notice them, try not to cross your legs. If you want to get rid of spider veins, doctors recommend sclerotherapy—injections of salt solution that shrink and dissolve the veins.