When we were little, it seemed like kids were the only ones who had to follow the rules. Fast-forward to grown-up life, and it turns out that an inevitable part of adulthood is abiding by a whole new set of rules. Talk about a buzzkill. But — let’s be real — rules are meant to be broken, right? We asked top experts to give us the lowdown on how we can still enjoy life’s little indulgences, from late nights to decadent desserts, without the guilt. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy, easy ways to do so. And since taking care of your complexion is another one of those must-follow adult rules, we have insight on how you can shield your skin from daily damage with Clarins Multi-Active Day Moisturizer SPF 20, while still enjoying all the things that give you feels (ahem, beach days). So, go on, embrace your inner rebel. With these expert tricks, you can rewrite the old rule book.
Save Your Skin From The Sun…
We all know that the sun has some not-so-pretty (and seriously damaging) effects on your skin: wrinkles, spots, cancer. So be smart about your exposure and develop good SPF habits. Using a broad-spectrum formula with at least SPF 30 is great, but you also have to be diligent about reapplication, says Richie Lin, MD, a dermatologist in Short Hills, NJ. Reapply every two hours and whenever you come out of the water or get super sweaty; set an automatic timer on your phone as a reminder if you think you'll forget.
Sun-protective clothing that shields your skin, like hats and rash guards, is a great option, too, says Dr. Lin. (Consider it a cute accessory to that new bikini.) It’s also a smart move to stay indoors or seek shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Schedule your time in the sand and surf for the early morning or late afternoon, and take a siesta or enjoy a leisurely brunch midday. Now go ahead and enjoy that well-deserved beach vacay.
...And Everything Else
Sadly, the sun isn't the only thing that takes a toll on your complexion, so you're not off the hook yet. All day, every day, you’re exposed to a veritable onslaught of skin saboteurs: pollution, smoke, stress, and more. But here's the good news — moisturizing (yes, that oh-so-easy skin-care step) can go a long way to help mitigate this damage. Plus, “balanced, moisturized skin always looks healthier,” says Dr. Lin.
For even more beauty benefits, look for a moisturizer with antioxidants, like Clarins Multi-Active Day SPF 20. Consider these power players like little Pac-Men, destroying the damaging free radicals that form when skin is exposed to sun, smog, and more. Bonus points for this multitasking formula, which also touts sun protection, boosts radiance, and helps fight the effects of stress on your skin. It even makes fine lines or wrinkles appear smoother. We'll take it.
Feel Great After A Night Of Partying
Want to prevent a hangover? Rule number one: Don't skip meals. It's tempting to snack less when you know you’ll be sipping lots of liquid calories later on, but it’s far smarter to eat strategically throughout the day. “Focus on eating high-protein foods — like eggs and nuts — so you go into your night with stable blood-sugar levels,” advises Taz Bhatia, MD, an integrative health expert. “This will help you feel better the night of and the next morning.”
Also, before going to bed, pop a B-Complex vitamin, as alcohol depletes your body of B vitamins, says Dr. Bhatia. When you wake up, order a green smoothie instead ofwith that bacon-and-egg sandwich. “When you juice or blend greens, they release glutathione, an antioxidant that helps to detoxify and repair the liver,” she explains. You’ll be up and ready for that morning yoga class as if last night never happened.
Satisfy A Sweet Tooth
We’ve all been there, out to dinner and making smart choices…until the dessert menu rolls around. Granted, chowing down on cheesecake every night isn’t healthy, but there’s no way we’re going to ditch desserts for good. One simple switch that will make you feel slightly more virtuous: Choose milk- or egg-based sweets (think ice cream or flan) over flour-based ones (like cake or cookies), suggests Dr. Bhatia. This ensures that you don’t get a double hit of refined carbs from both flour and sugar.
By the way, if you’ve ever felt like once you get on the dessert train you just can’t stop, it’s not necessarily a lack of willpower that’s to blame. Eating sugar actually triggers cravings for more sugar. To quickly put an end to that sinister cycle, try sipping on a glass of grapefruit juice after you’ve had your one sweet treat; it reduces cravings, says Dr. Bhatia.
Be Strategic About TV Time
Who doesn’t love crashing on the couch, remote in hand, after a long day at work? After all, is there any better way to decompress than by losing yourself in the latest reality-show drama? Still, too much tube time isn’t good for you. “It’s an artificial form of relaxation that can actually overstimulate your brain,” explains Dr. Bhatia. “The flickering light can impede the production of melatonin, the calming hormone, keeping you awake at night.” Thankfully, there’s no need to turn off the TV for good. A much better (and more realistic) bet is to limit viewing to one hour a night. If that sounds too hard, watch your favorite shows at the gym, while you’re on the elliptical or treadmill, so at least you’re getting some exercise at the same time, says Dr. Bhatia. And binge-watching isn't completely off the table — just do it during the day on weekends, so it doesn't interfere with your sleep patterns. Play next episode, please.
Sleep Like A Champ
You’re probably well aware that you should be getting about eight hours of shut-eye, but here’s the thing: That doesn’t have to be every night. “It’s okay to stay up too late sometimes and sleep in on the weekends,” says Dr. Bhatia. Score! If you’re going to spend your entire Saturday or Sunday in bed, just be diligent about maintaining a regular sleep schedule the other nights of the week. And yes, how much you’re sleeping is important, but when you’re snoozing may be even more crucial, according to Dr. Bhatia. “Eastern medicine has pinpointed that it’s most important for women to be asleep between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., in order to keep their hormones balanced,” she explains.
Shower Smarter
There are few things more enjoyable in life than a hot shower, especially on a chilly morning or after a long, stressful day. The big bummer is that standing under the spray for too long can zap serious moisture from your bod: “Water removes the natural oils and lubrication from your skin, and the longer you linger, the more moisture you’re removing,” points out Dr. Lin. Still, there are a couple of easy things you can do when you want to stay in the shower for just a liiiittle bit longer.
First, turn down the temperature of the water. If the steam from the shower is fogging up your mirror, that means it’s too hot (and, in turn, will dry you out even more). Rethink your body wash, too. Opt for creamy, non-soap cleansers, which are free of harsh detergents that strip moisture from your skin. And finally, slather on a generous heaping of body lotion once you emerge. “Towel off gently and apply the moisturizer while your skin is still damp, within three to five minutes of getting out of the shower, to lock in the hydration,” advises Dr. Lin. For the best results, seek out a glycerin-based formula; it helps trap moisture, without feeling overly sticky or goopy.
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