2. Avoid sunscreens that contain parabens, PABA, benzophenone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, padimate O and homosalate.

3. Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

4. Wear a hat making sure the brim is big enough to shield the ears and neck.

5. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses with 99 to 100 percent absorption to protect the eyes and the sensitive skin around the eyes.

6. Eat a diet high in antioxidants like vegetables, fruits, super foods such as acai, coconut water, maca, and cacao.

7. Check your vitamin D levels. If you are deficient, you can be more vulnerable to getting skin damage. High vitamin D levels can protect against sunburn. Learn more at Vitamin D Council.

1. Always drink plenty of water. There is no other substitutes that could replace water. Water is the best thing for all of us and especially our skin. Also load up on your Omega-3s fatty acids found in foods.

2. Avoid Soft drinks and sugary drink products. These products are simply bad for you and your skin and it de-hydrates your skin. You want to hydrate you skin not de-hydrate it.

3. Use aloe. It is wonderful for treating dry skin. It also can be used with other home care treatments for dry skin.

4. Always use bath products that are soap-free. Use products that contain moisturizers. Massage these creams deeply so that the skin can absorb the moisture into it.

5. Bathing. There is nothing like a long hot bath after a long hard day at work. A long bath can sometimes be more damaging to the skin than a short bath because it strips us of our natural body oils. Causing our skin to dry out. Try a warm bath instead of a hot bath. The warm bath actually opens up the pores. Also limit the time that you stay in the bath.

6. Moisturize. At last but not least always use a good moisturizer. Depending on your skin type be sure that the moisturizer is something that is going to nourish the skin and provide you with good results. By moisturizing daily is the best way to hydrate your skin.

Start with the inside and work your way outward. Hydrate your skin and replenish your skin to keep it healthy and beautiful.

Facials treatments are wonderful ways for hydrating your skin. They are especially helpful in replenishing dry skin. The exfoliating treatment sheds off the dead skin and cells. It gets deep down under the layer of skin and overturn cells.

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of skin care is exfoliation.  Although it must not be performed excessively, exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, making your own skin look better and allowing you to moisturize and care for your skin easier.  A typical, normal skin care regiment will usually consist of exfoliating 2-3 times per week.  Keep in mind that this should be less if you intend to use a harsher form of exfoliation.  Start with a mild exfoliant and increase treatment intensity if needed.

Expose your skin to sun slowly before you spend all day outside.  This has nothing to do with the myth that a base tan is needed—this only damages your skin and can lead to more serious health problems later.  Instead, start by spending a few minutes at a time outside or tan lightly and carefully each week.  The goal here is to avoid pale winter skin from being suddenly damaged the first time you spend all day out in the sun.  As your skin darkens naturally and slowly, you can increase the amount of time you spend outside, however, remember to always wear sunblock!

Another easy way to get your skin ready for summer is to take care of sunspots and age spots that you missed after last summer.  There are a few ways to do this, such as with Intense Pulsed Light and micro TCA spot removing peels.  Taking care of these now not only gives you better skin for summer, it also helps keeps them from becoming larger and more of a problem later.

Also remember that hydration is vital to your skin, not only for healing and rejuvenation, but also for preventing later damage when it is exposed to sun and dry conditions.  Taking steps now to help prepare your skin for summer and maintaining it properly are the best ways to have radiant, healthy skin!

Don’t use harsh cleansers or soaps. Instead, use a mild cleanser. If you have very oily skin, use products made for your skin type.

Don’t use exfoliating scrubs because they can irritate inflamed skin.

Don’t pick, pop, squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse. You should never tangle with a whitehead — they’ll go away on their own in a few days anyway.

Do look for face–care products and makeup with the words noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic. No product can guarantee you trouble–free skin, but these are better choices because they’re less likely to irritate your skin.

Do use an antibacterial soap or a benzoyl peroxide wash on your back and other areas where you have acne.

Do see a dermatologist to remove blackheads. They have the tools and the know–how to safely remove blackheads without causing scarring or infection. If you have just a few blackheads, use a comedone extractor, available at a beauty supply store. Using your fingers to squeeze them out can spread bacteria and can cause scarring. It’s best to remove blackheads after a warm shower or bath, when your skin is soft. And always disinfect any tools with rubbing alcohol before you use them on your face.

Do wait 20 to 30 minutes after washing your face to apply a Retin–A cream. That will make your skin feel less sensitive to the Retin–A.

Do apply topical acne medications to the entire problem area, not just the zits you have now. The idea is to stop new zits from forming.

Don’t pick at dark skin. Picking can leave dark spots on the skin that can take a while to fade away. It can also cause keloid scars.

Do wash your pillowcase every night and always use clean face towels if you have acne–prone skin. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse.

1. Choose a gentle cleanser. Traditional bar soaps may not be the best choice, as they can dry the skin and further irritate breakouts. Instead, use a mild, fragrance-free cleansing bar, such as Ivory or Dove. You may also get good results with an over-the-counter body wash made specifically for body acne.
2. Toss out your loofahs, body brushes, and body scrubs. Body acne can’t be scrubbed away. In fact, you may be doing more harm than good. Vigorous scrubbing of the skin exacerbates inflammation of the follicles and can worsen breakouts. Your best choice is to carefully wash affected areas with a soft cloth, or with your hands.
3. Try baths instead of showers. Soaking in a warm bath loosens dead skin cells. The sloughing away of cellular debris helps keep the pores open and clear, reducing the chance of comedones. Some estheticians recommend putting a cup of Epsom or Dead Sea salt into the bath water to help heal inflamed lesions. Make sure the acne-effected areas remain submerged under the water for at least twenty minutes.
4. Apply acne creams or topical medications. Topical creams can help speed exfoliation and reduce the number of P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. If your body acne is mild, you can purchase benzoyl peroxide lotions over the counter. Apply to dry skin twice daily. If your body acne is more advanced, talk to your doctor. He can decide help decide which topical medications will work best for you.
5. Wear loose, natural fiber clothing. Natural fibers, such as cotton, allow your skin to breathe. Avoid tight, constricting clothing and clothing that rubs against the skin. Stay away from scratchy materials, such as wool, as well. These materials may further irritate the skin.

What can be done to clear acne before the prom? Here are some tips that will help your skin look its best.

1. Start Taking Care of Your Skin Now

If you’ve been neglecting your skin, don’t wait another day to start on a skin care routine. Good skin care will help your skin to look and feel better every day.

A healthy skin care routine includes regular cleansing, gentle exfoliation, application of an oil-free moisturizer (if needed), and daily sunscreen use. Skin care products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and/or resorcinol effectively treat acne at the same time.

While clean skin is good, vigorous scrubbing is not. Pimples aren’t caused by dirt anyway and, for what it’s worth, can’t be scrubbed away.

Don’t over-cleanse your skin, either. Over-cleansing can strip the skin, leaving your skin excessively dry, red and irritated.

A twice-a-day cleansing routine is sufficient for most people. Throw in a third cleansing only if needed, like after gym class or sports practice.

2. Stop Popping

You’ve heard it a million times from your mother, but you’re going to hear it again — don’t pop pimples. Ever.

It may be satisfying, but it also damages your skin. When you squeeze a pimple, you can push infected material deeper into the skin. It also increases the possibility that the pimple will leave a scar.

And yes, popping pimples does make acne worse. Squeezing that pimple can easily turn it into an even larger, inflamed blemish.

As tempting as it may be, leave pimples alone and allow them to heal. If you must do something, try a spot treatment.

3. Banish Blackheads

Got blackheads? They’re super common, especially on teen skin. A good skin care routine and comedolytic product can help clear blackheads.

Still, with prom coming up, you may not have time to wait. You’ll need to quickly improve the look of blackheads while waiting for blemish treatments to kick in.

Try going to a salon to have them extracted. Warning: Don’t have extractions done within a week of the prom. They can leave you red and blotchy, and facials can trigger a breakout in some people.

Those pore cleansing strips are another quick-fix. They don’t treat blackheads per se, and they do nothing to prevent them from forming. They do, however, remove the top “plug” of the blackhead, leaving the skin looking smoother.

4. Beat Body Acne

A low cut dress and “bacne“? Don’t stress. Acne on the back and body can be controlled, too.

Start using an acne-fighting soap bar. Make sure you shower as soon as possible after exercising, since sweat can irritate breakouts.

Sometimes body breakouts are caused by a form of acne called acne mechanica. Suspect acne mechanica if breakouts occur in areas where athletic equipment, backpacks, or other gear rests.

5. Reduce Oily Shine

If you’re like most teens, your skin is super oily. This is totally normal, though any teen would pass on immortalizing a shiny face in prom pictures if given the choice.

Reducing the look of oily shine isn’t hard with the right steps. Again, cleansing the face regularly will go a long way in keeping excess oil in check. Using an oil-busting mask and an astringent toner the day of the prom will make the skin look more matte.

During the prom, you can carry a packet of rice paper oil blotters to dab up oil throughout the night. (Your local cosmetics store should carry them, or check online retailers.) And while it sounds a little strange, toilet seat covers work the same way. You can use them instead / in a pinch, and use the money you save on your dress or tux.

6. Cover It Up

Pimples always have a way of popping up at the worst possible times. If that inopportune breakout occurs before prom, you can cover it up.

Practice your makeup look before the big night, including products like concealer and green primers (to counteract red blemishes) in your regimen. A tiny amount of well-placed concealer and a dusting of powder can do a lot to camouflage breakouts.

A dab of tinted moisturizer can help tone down blemishes without making you feel like you’re “made up.” Tinted moisturizers can be found in the skin care aisle at any drugstore. And, if you’re game, there are also plenty of concealers made just for guys too.

Our five skin care tips are:

1. Wear sunscreen
2. Eat a well-balanced diet including fruits and vegetables
3. Don’t smoke
4. Moisturize regularly
5. Stay hydrated

First and foremost, it is important to protect the health of your skin. Arguably one of the most important skin care tips for any approach to healthy skin is to wear sunscreen. Along with preventing wrinkles caused by UV exposure, sunscreen also protects against skin cancer. As they say, true beauty lies within, and this is true even for skin health. The second of our skin care tips, eating a well balanced diet, addresses skin issues that may arise from deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. By taking an approach that works from the inside out, our skin care tips include a dual approach to proper skin health. The third on our list of skin care tips is also extremely important, as smoking has been shown to significantly impact the number and severity of wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and of course overall health.  In order to get that glowing, smooth skin, it’s essential to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids, as well as using a moisturizer to keep even the outer layer moist and prevent flaking.

• Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps maintain skin development and health. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging. Vitamin A also helps to reduce the production of sebum, which causes acne problems in some people. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to rough, dry skin and in extreme cases cracked skin, especially around the mouth.

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also helps protect cells from free radicals. It works along with vitamin A for numerous skin benefits. This vitamin combination is often found in facial creams and other skin care cosmetics.

• Vitamin B Complex

B Complex consists of eight vitamins that are essential to cell reproduction. B vitamins that are especially important to skin health are B1 (thiamine) and B3 (niacin) promote blood circulation throughout the body and help deliver nutrients to skin cells. B2 (riboflavin) contributes to healthy growth of skin, hair and nails. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to liver spots, oily skin and cracked skin around the mouth. B5 (pantothenic acid) regulates hormone production and combats stress, which can lead to skin flare-ups. A deficiency B6 (pyridoxine) can lead to dry cracked skin, eczema and pigmentation problems such as liver spots.

• Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential compound of collagen, a protein found in the skin that gives it elasticity.

• Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene protects against free radical damage and is converted to vitamin A in the body.

• Silica

Silica (silicon dioxide) is a trace mineral found in the connective tissues (like the hair and skin) and is required in the body to keep nails, hair and skin in good health. It is also needed by the body to make collagen.

• Zinc

Zinc helps prevent inflammation and flare ups in the skin. It is needed in the body to help skin heal and also reduces the effects of scarring.

• Never sleep in your makeup.
  Every night before bed, make it a point to thoroughly but gently remove all traces of makeup from your face and neck. Use a gentle cleanser and toner to help do so.

• Choose makeup labeled noncomedogenic.
  Noncomedogenic makeup does not contain ingredients known to clog the pores. Reducing the amount of pore blockages is a good start when treating acne, and some women find their breakouts improve just by changing to noncomedogenic makeup.

• Clean your applicators frequently.
  Half of the fight against blemishes is reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria on your skin. And makeup brushes and applicators are bacteria magnets. Wash all makeup brushes with antimicrobial soap a few times each week, and thoroughly spray them with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol after every application. Use disposable applicators whenever possible, and dispose of after each use.

• Choose powder-based makeup instead of liquids.
  Although liquid makeup gives better coverage, most have an oil base. Definitely not something you want to put on your acne prone skin. Powders have the added benefit of helping to absorb excess oil.

• Try switching brands.
  If your acne seems to worsen after wearing makeup for several days in a row, you may want to try a different brand. Certain makeup formulations, even those labeled noncomedogenic, can cause breakouts in sensitive individuals. If this seems to be the case for you, try another brand. Your skin might tolerate one better than another.

• Go bare whenever possible.
  Leave your face makeup-less at least a few times a week. Allow your skin time to breathe and heal. And when you do wear makeup, remember, less is best.