 56 Year Old Mom Looks 37...
Discover the anti-aging secrets that dermatologists DON'T want you to know!
by Megan Morehouse, Editor
I hear it all the time... "You can't be 56. You look about 37!" It used to embarrass me a little, especially since my kids are in their 20s, but I have to say it's better than hearing the opposite! I've always been careful with my skin, and I have a strict regimen. But what about women who haven't taken the same kind of care that I have? Is there hope? The answer is - YES. It's never too late to start a healthy skin plan. And we've found the best ways to restore a youthful look — from wrinkle erasers to waistline shrinkers, an antioxidant superdrink, and pencils that light up your eyes. Here, how to fight aging from the inside out and the outside in.
The Right Stuff
No magic lotion will totally erase lines — trust us, we've looked. Still, for times when a quick fix is required, we asked dermatologist Audrey Kunin, M.D., to weigh in on the temporary skin-smoothing powers of these three ingredients:
1. Silicone Common in makeup and skin care, it instantly evens out skin's surface, filling in crevices and wrinkles. Give it a go with CoverGirl Smoothers All Day Hydrating Makeup ($5, drugstores).
2. GABA Often called "faux-tox," it prevents the release of chemicals that cause facial muscles to tighten, leading to wrinkle formation. GABA is your best bet for masking furrows, like crow's feet or frown lines, for anywhere from four to 24 hours. Try Dr. Brandt Crease Release with GABA & 3-D Lift ($75, Sephora).
3. Mica Any type of depression in the skin creates a shadow, which accentuates the look of a wrinkle. Mica, a mineral, deflects light, eliminating shadows and minimizing the look of lines. Find it in Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation ($20, marykay.com).
Banish Red Hands
They're a dead giveaway of age. A speedy concealment strategy to try before a luncheon, party, or photo: Apply a green-tinted primer to counteract redness, suggests makeup artist Emily Kate Warren. Our pick: Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting Primer #1 Green ($32, Sephora). Go ahead, take off the gloves!
Anti-Aging by the Decade
Age may be just a number, but it's undeniable that changes in your skin and hair occur with each passing birthday. Make these moves in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s to look your best, no matter the number of candles on the cake
30s
SKIN
Daily sunscreen is a must to ward off discoloration, such as melasma, often caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and then exacerabated by the sun, says NYC dermatologist Eric Schweiger, M.D. Try L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Liquid Silk Sunshield for Face SPF 50+ ($11, lorealparis.com now, in drugstores next month) for broad-spectrum protection.
HAIR
"Preventing heat-induced damage in your 30s will ensure that hair looks and feels healthier — and younger — in your 40s and beyond," says Redken haircolor consultant David Stanko. Avoid daily use and lower the heat on tools to half the maximum temperature while using a heat-protecting product, like Matrix Design Pulse Iron In Thermal Styling Mist ($14, salons).
40s
SKIN
Add OTC retinol or prescription retinoic acid to your skin-care routine to minimize the look of lines and spots all in one go. As the anti-ager may be irritating, apply once per week to start and work up to daily use as your skin becomes more tolerant. Our pick: La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Intensive Anti-Aging Corrective Treatment ($55, CVS).
HAIR
"Hair can start to lose its luster and look dull and ashy now," says Stanko. An in-salon glaze (a clear demi-permanent) can restore shine for up to four weeks. Or for a bargain, try a do-it-yourself version, like John Frieda Clear Shine Luminous Glaze ($10, drugstores); you apply it like a conditioner, and it lasts till the next shampoo.
50s
SKIN
Try layering an antioxidant serum under sunscreen and moisturizer with SPF. "This will help treat existing fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, while also offering protection from future sun damage," says Dr. Schweiger. We like Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Antioxidant Face Serum ($65, Sephora).
HAIR
If forehead wrinkles have you hiding from mirrors, bangs are an easy way to cover up. The anti-aging secret: Opt for a round-shaped bang—shortest in the center between brows and gradually longer toward the temples. This style looks less severe than a straight-across bang, says Rebecca Friedman, co-owner of Goodform Salon in Los Angeles.
60s
SKIN
Hydration is key. "Skin's moisture levels decrease with age, so opt for heavier, ointment-based night creams to remedy dryness," says Dr. Schweiger. Try the rich Avène Sérénage Nutri-Redensifying Night Cream ($49, drugstore.com). Sloughing can help, too. Use a cleansing brush two to three times per week to gently exfoliate and rejuvenate dry skin.
HAIR
An alert to those proudly sporting silver strands: "Gray hair absorbs chemicals and pollution from air, water, and product, making it look dingy," says Friedman. "A clarifying shampoo keeps the color fresh and pure." Try Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo ($1, drugstores) once a week — and since clarifiers remove hair's natural oils, pair with a deep conditioner.
Write Off Aging
Build a look-younger arsenal with these lip, brow, and eyeliner pencils
Make Up For Ever Lip Line Perfector ($18, Sephora). This clear anti-feathering tool works with any lip shade and any color of lipstick.
Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil ($11, sorme.com). Its slight shimmer enhances brows' natural glossiness. And it creates soft highlights, making brows appear fuller when hit by light.
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio ($11, drugstores). These soft-tipped liners won't tug at delicate eye skin, and each one comes with a sharpener built into its cap so you can keep your lines crisp and well-defined.
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