5 easy ways to repair summer sun damage!
A whopping 90% of visible skin aging is caused by the sun’s harsh UV rays. Luckily, you can rewind time with treatments that fade age spots, smooth lines and soften hair!
1 Restore moisture with an oatmeal cleanser!
Sun and salt water sap your skin of hydration? “This cleanser uses honey, a humectant that attracts and retains moisture,” says Malina Yeager, founder of Saint Hil Organic Beauty ( Sainthil.com). And the oats? They have antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. n Try it! Add 1 Tbs. oats, 1 tsp. honey and 2 tsp. warm water to food processor; blend until smooth. Let thicken 5 minutes. Massage into damp skin; rinse.
2 Fade age spots with a yogurt serum!
“This pairs two exfoliating acids: yogurt’s lactic acid and apple cider vinegar’s alpha hydroxy acid,” Yeager says. Together, they boost cell turnover to lighten dark spots.
■ Try it! Combine 1 Tbs. plain yogurt and 1/4 tsp. apple cider vinegar in lidded jar. Apply to age spots. Relax 20 minutes; rinse.
3 Tone skin with a red grape mask!
To combat the collagen breakdown caused by UV rays, Yeager uses grapes. Their antioxidants fight free radical damage, which slows sagging. Mix them with moisturizing chia seeds for more youthful skin.
■ Try it! Add 1/ 3 cup red grapes, 1 tsp. chia seeds and 1 tsp. cornstarch to food processor; blend until smooth. Let thicken 10 minutes; apply to clean skin. Relax 20 minutes; rinse.
✽ 4 Reduce fine lines with a glycolic toner!
“Glycolic acid has been shown to stimulate collagen to strengthen skin’s foundation and improve the look of fine lines,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
■ One to try: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, $ 8.70 at Theordinary.com.
5 Smooth crow’s-feet with an anti-aging compress!
While milk’s proteins calm inflammation, vitamin E fights collagen-hampering free radicals to smooth skin. Even better: The warm compress helps the ingredients better penetrate your skin!
■ Try it! Warm 1/ 2 cup whole milk and 2 Tbs. vitamin E oil. Saturate washcloth in mixture; wring out excess. Drape over closed eyes. Relax 10 minutes.