It’s 2019, anxiety is a national pastime, and if you’re in your mid-to-late-twenties or beyond, it means you’re already worried about aging, which is probably not helping the situation. Now more than ever, there are options available to slow the formation of wrinkles, most intriguing among them being preventative Botox. In the procedure, smaller doses of Botox are used to relax fine lines so they will not become deeper and etched in over time. But injecting neurotoxins into your face also creates a stress of its own. Before you convince yourself everyone’s doing it and you should, too, read on for questions you should consider first.
Do I Have To Start Now?
My FBI agent has been working extra hard because every Ad on Hulu & social media is something to do w/ Botox or plastic surgery. I ain’t mad at em tho
— Cydney Kessler (@CydneyAg18) June 30, 2019
Preventative Botox has been shown to prevent signs of facial aging, but that doesn’t mean that it is a one size fits all treatment. “I have 22-year-old patients who could potentially benefit from it and 42-year-olds who may not,” says New York Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. “It’s more important to pay attention to your skin than your age.” Skin type, amount of sun exposure, and how expressive you are are a few contributing factors. Don’t inject anything into your face without first getting a clue as to where you need it. A good rule of thumb: see if your skin holds an expression line beyond when you’re making that expression. “Just because your friend or sister is doing it doesn’t mean you should,” says Engelman. She adds, “Even if it would be helpful, you may need it in a different part of your face than your friend for your best result.”
What Are The Risks?
Does botox help resting bitch face? Asking for a friend.
— Lady Disturbed ? PAX West (@lladydisturbed) June 30, 2019
The increased interest in Botox, especially among a younger clientele, has given rise to aesthetic bars, designed in the style of blowout bars. They make injections both accessible and nonthreatening, because you can order them off a menu in a less clinical-looking space. But be wary of being able to order your injections à la carte. “You may end up getting what you ordered, but that doesn’t mean you’ll like it,” warns Engelman. She notes patients often don’t understand the best method to get the look they want, which makes shopping around for an injector problematic for your face. But that’s nothing compared to the risk of nerve damage and (although extremely rare) blindness. So don’t lose sight of the fact that’s it’s still a procedure. Engelman expresses concern that injectors at aesthetic bars may be less skilled than doctors who are constantly trained in new techniques, have extensively studied facial anatomy, and can expertly guide you through all available treatment options.
Who Should I Go To?
one thing I love about the women in my generation is how transparent so many of us are about getting filler/Botox/plastic surgery – like yes go off get those smile lines filled honey get those new and improved titties and be proud of it
— it’s ya boy, uh… (@SierraMayhem) June 30, 2019
“Anything that makes you feel prettier can be addictive,” says Engelman. So, overdoing it is a possibility, especially if your injector is unlikely to tell you when enough is enough. If you start preventative Botox young, you should only need about two appointments a year, so be cautious of anyone who allows or suggests more. The best part about living in a time where people are open about their treatments? If you like someone’s look, you can probably just ask someone what they’re doing or who they’re seeing. Similarly, Instagram can be a great way to research a doctor’s particular aesthetic. But first, always check a doctor’s certifications: “Just because there’s an MD behind their name doesn’t mean they are necessarily an expert in the field,” advises Engelman. She recommends you go to a doctor who’s board certified in dermatology or plastic surgery (these specifications should be easy to find on their website). And ask to see their personal patient before-and-after images, not just theoretical results. They should have them. “You want to make sure you’re both on the same page,” says Engelman.
Is Botox What Even I Need?
Remember years ago when Nicole was getting a ton of shit for her Botox treatments and now she’s 52 looking 37 on Big Little Lies lmao pic.twitter.com/J2MQnXJjgZ
— Noah Cassiel (@NCassiel) July 1, 2019
Engelman says that young patients tend to come into her office asking about aggressive treatments when what they need is to focus on healthy skin care practices. She recommends getting into a prevention routine including antioxidants, a vitamin A derivative (aka a retinol or retin-A), and most importantly, SUNSCREEN. If you don’t protect your skin but you’re interested in Botox, “It’s a little like sitting in your pulmonologist’s office and smoking,” says Engelman. Studies show up to 90% of your skin’s aging is determined by UV radiation, which can come from the sun, infrared, or blue light. Translation: wear sunscreen 365 days a year, indoor and out, if you want to head off aging at the pass. See what an improvement it makes if you stick to a skin care routine for at least 8-12 weeks. It sounds simple, but you might be surprised at the results you get if you start taking care of your skin differently.
The amount of open discussion surrounding Botox and its widely increased availability makes it seem that the stigma surrounding injectables has all but disappeared. That is great. It was not healthy for us to believe that celebrities look the way they do year after year just because they drink a lot of water. It is great that, if you need intervention for something that you’re self-conscious about, you need not be insecure about the treatment as well. These “tweakments” are now an open beauty secret. But just like anything else, scrolling through your Instagram feed can make the lives and decisions of others feel more effortless than they actually are. Feeling like you have to change your look or freeze your face in time—because otherwise you will look out of place around the people you surround yourself with (on the internet or in real life)—is still a problem.
Images: NCassiel, SierraMayhem, lladydisturbed, CydneyAg18 / Twitter
No one wants to look old. That’s just the way it is. Every year, we spend billions of dollars on serums and SPFs and masks that are all designed to hold off the fact that we’re all getting a little bit closer to death. Sorry if that was dramatic, but it’s the truth. Whether you’re a botox aficionado or just obsessed with skincare, we all just want to age gracefully.
But somehow, there are certain celebrities who don’t age gracefully. Instead, they seem not to age at all. While I’m sure this has something to do with being able to afford the best treatments, procedures, and products on the market, there’s no substitute for good genes. I don’t know what secrets these stars have up their sleeves, but they all look freakishly good for their age (or any age).
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is 43 years old, but she still looks the exact same as she did when she played Elle Woods for the first time. That was 18 years ago, in case you don’t feel old already. This photo of Reese was taken two nights ago at the season 2 premiere of Big Little Lies, and I’m personally offended at how radiant her skin looks. She also has an amazing style that’s classy and sophisticated, but never makes her seem older than she is. I want Reese to be my mom, but she looks more like my older sister if we’re being honest.
Jennifer Lopez
Talking about Jennifer Lopez looking amazing is nothing new, but I’m still shocked every time I see a photo of her. Her killer body is thanks to a killer workout, but her face is just as flawless. My skin hasn’t looked that good since I was nine years old. I truly would not believe that she was 49 years old, but she’s been famous since before I was born. At this rate, she’ll probably look this good after I’m dead, too.
Gabrielle Union
In the past, I’ve definitely been guilty of sleeping on Gabrielle Union, and shame on me for that. Gabrielle is hilarious, talented, and absolutely STUNNING. She posted the above photo a few days ago, while on vacation in Greece with her hubby Dwyane Wade. As evidenced in the caption, she is 46 YEARS OLD. Is she a witch? Did she make a deal with the devil? There is simply no other explanation. Gab just had her first child (god bless shady baby) last fall, but she’s still going to be the hottest mom at daycare.
Paul Rudd
how the fuck is paul rudd 50????? what kind of water is this guy drinking?????♀️ pic.twitter.com/cceituhtDN
— gabrielle (@billionstark) May 31, 2019
I wasn’t initially going to include any men on this list, but then I remembered that Paul Rudd TURNED 50 LAST MONTH. I don’t understand this, because he still looks exactly like he did in Clueless, which was basically a quarter of a century ago. It’s just not fair. On his birthday in April, everyone pointed out that this is what happens when you’re charming and unproblematic, which is true. Find me anyone who doesn’t love Paul Rudd, and I’ll tell them why they’re wrong.
Naomi Campbell
As a model, it’s obviously part of the job description to be ridiculously attractive, but most models are out of the game before they turn 30. Naomi, however, just turned 49, and is still killing the game. She looked absolutely stunning at this year’s Met Gala, and she also closed Valentino’s most recent haute couture show. I would let her throw a cell phone at me literally any day of the week.
Jennifer Aniston
jennifer aniston is 50… IM pic.twitter.com/n4MaMsTSpM
— julia ? (@queerdeliagoode) May 30, 2019
I guess starring in one of the most successful TV shows of all time clears your skin right up. Jen turned 50 in February of this year, but her face is still frozen somewhere in the mid-90s. Minus the haircut, thankfully. Now all she needs to do is get back with Brad Pitt and it will really feel like we’ve all gone back in time.
Angela Bassett
See that woman in the photo? Yeah, she’s 60. I’m super happy for all these stars looking ageless well into their 40s, but Angela Bassett really takes it to the next level. She’s basically looked the same since the 1970s. She played a Voodoo priestess on one season of American Horror Story, so she must have put a spell on herself to never get a day older. It’s working.
Who’s your favorite ageless celebrity? Do you have any secrets to keep your skin looking fresh? What am I doing wrong? Bueller?
Images: Shutterstock; reesewitherspoon, jlo, gabunion, Naomi, im.angelabassett / Instagram; billionstark, queerdeliagoode / Twitter
Ugh, aging. It’s great that we’re slowing easing out of the acne phase. It blows that we’re running headfirst into the wrinkles phase. But, if you catch on early, you can help prevent having your eyes look like wrinkly old sacks on your face. The best time to start using an eye cream is actually now—like, in your 20s and 30s—if you want to prevent the look of lines and bags and dark circles later. Just add it to your already 18-step routine. It’ll be fine. The good thing is that when it comes to eye cream, you don’t need to empty your life savings to get good sh*t. There are tons of drugstore brands that’ll get the job done since we’re like, v poor right now. Look for creams and serums that’ll help de-puff, smooth, moisturize, and plump, depending what your issue is. Here are a few drugstore eye creams we like that are literally under $25.
1. Burt’s Bees Sensitive Eye Cream
Aloe is my fav when the sun has done me wrong (v rude), and it works well on your eyes, too. Typical of Burt’s Bees, this eye cream has natural extracts that will make you feel one with nature. It’s also hypoallergenic, so it probably won’t bother your precious eyes.
2. Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream
Nicole Kidman keeps telling me that Olay is amazing, and I’ll be damned if I won’t listen to that eternally 30-year-old betch (like, I’m sure they don’t just keep putting soft lenses on her so she appears younger, right?). Sorcery or not, Olay is a formula that’s been worshipped for decades, and its eye cream stands up to the best of the department store brands. The cream actually has a teeeeny tiny bit of concealer in it along with vitamins and niacinamide, which help with circles over time. So, count this one in as the daytime eye savior.
3. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
CeraVe is one of the only drugstore brands I could find when I was in Le France, so, therefore, everything CeraVe does is très amazing. The formula is made with CeraVe’s combo of ceramides and hyaluronic acid with some other cool stuff I can’t pronounce. The best part? It doesn’t have any fragrances and is non-comedogenic so it’s perfect if you have sensitive skin.
4. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
Throw this sh*t in the fridge and apply when you watch something sad or are dealing with a late season allergy that’s f*cking your life up and now your eyes are puffy and omg I feel like Rocky after battling Apollo Creed. Anyway, this Garnier roller ball acts like a teeny massage for your eye and the gel, which has caffeine in it, can de-puff in a few minutes.
5. RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream
Using retinol, a known fighter of wrinkles, this eye cream combats sagging. It also contains hyaluronic acid, so you’ll be fighting crow’s feet from two angles.
6. Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Eye Cream
I hate Jennifer Aniston, but I love Aveeno, which makes me feel all sorts of conflicted. Anyway, blackberry and dill extract plus a few other natural ingredients make the Aveeno eye cream a great choice to help strengthen the elastin around your eye before it gets droopy and gross.
7. Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream
The Yes To line is great for hippie girls who don’t shower yet still somehow have amazing skin (wtf, teach me your ways). The grapefruit line helps a lot with dark circles, thanks to fruit acids that will brighten your skin in a natural highlighter sort of way.
8. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Neutrogena rules, and this gel cream is pumped full of hyaluronic acid, which I promise is not as scary as it sounds. Basically, it’s a gel formula that sinks into your skin and hydrates your eyes without it feeling like you just rubbed Vaseline into your corneas. Praise be.
Images: Remy_Loz, Unsplash; Giphy (1); Amazon (8)
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When I was 13, I felt really mature having horrible acne and going to the drugstore to get my whole set of Clean & Clear face wash, toner, moisturizer, and spot treatment. I had to have the entire Morning Burst line, including the facial scrub with microbeads, and then a separate nighttime line. It was all the same thing for double the money. I was an asshole. The truth is, most basic skin care is the exact same thing—unless you’re looking for a specific ingredient change, such as anti-aging or to repair acne, it doesn’t matter what cleanser/toner/moisturizer/spot treatment products you use, so long as you continue using them consistently. However, eventually you’re going to get old. And your skin care will need to adjust to your new skin problems that come with aging. There are definitely anti-aging moisturizers and products you can use, but you still have to add additional products if you really want to stay ageless forever. Here’s what you need to add to to your skin care system to look flawless through every decade.
20’s: SPF
Congratulations. You’ve made it through your teenage years lathering up in baby oil and baking in the sun. You looked amazing, like a bronzed goddess. Unfortunately, unless you want to look like your leather handbag by the time you’re 35, you better cut this shit out. No more tanning beds. No more suntanning. And you know what? No more leaving the house without a decent SPF of 30+! I KNOW, it sucks, but it’s your new reality unless you have a will to die of skin cancer and be a wrinkled mess. This is the time for you to use a daily SPF and hope to God your years of abusing your skin won’t turn into irregular moles someday. Say hello to sunless tanning like self-tanners, or what I prefer, just being pale and calling it fashion. If you want to push it further, throw in a retinol cream that will hopefully shed your sun-damaged skin cells quickly enough that it won’t matter, and it prevents wrinkles.
COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 – Cucumber
30’s: Retinol & Chemical Peels
Soo, if you ignored my v helpful suggestion of using a retinol in your 20’s, it is no longer optional in your 30’s, as your cell turnover slows down and you’re going to get super old fast if you don’t let your skin get rid of the old dead cells. Pretty, right? You still need the basics (cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc.), and you still need SPF, so retinol is an add-on here. Also? I used to be on Differin in high school for my acne when it was prescription only, so it’s amazing that you can buy this retinol cream over-the-counter now. Keeping your skin cells fresh helps evenly distribute oils so that the tissue stays elastic and flexible. To help it even further, get chemical peels twice a year. Sure, you’ll look like Freddy Krueger for a week, but that’s a price you should pay to be an immortal vixen.
40’s: Antioxidants
Oh cool, you’ve hit your 40’s and you’re in that awkward spot where you’re not really young but also not dead. Congrats! That said, your skin is basically telling you to fuck off at this point, because it’s thinning, it’s inflamed, and your hormones are going berserk. Sounds fun. Shit to look forward to. I hope you’re still using your retinol religiously, but as your skin gets more dry as your estrogen levels sink, it may be time to see a doc and step up to a moisturizing prescription retinol like Renova. My stepmom was on this and looked like she was 25, so I’m a believer. In addition, to combat the hyper-pigmentation and inflammation that comes with hormone change, throw in an antioxidant serum that will even out your skin in the worst of times. And again, this in addition to what is above, so you better still be using SPF every day.
iS Clinical Super Serum Advance Plus
50’s: Oil
Wow, you made it to your 50’s without dying from skin cancer or dying on the streets from not being able to afford the high rent costs in your city or getting whacked by Sallie Mae’s goons for failing to pay your student loan debt. Great job! However, now that you’re getting up there, your skin is dry, dry, dry. At this stage, your natural oils are depleted, especially with your incessant retinol usage. But that is a necessity, so what can you do? Put some oil back into your system by washing your face only once daily instead of twice and using a night oil. You need to still use your SPF to prevent further damage, retinol to continue cell turnover, chemical peels so that old shit comes off, and antioxidant serum to reduce inflammation, but somehow you’re still at risk at turning into a human basset hound if you don’t properly moisturize. A night oil (or even thick night cream) will force some elasticity into your old af skin and keep it from stretching out too much and creating fine lines. You also are supposed to reduce stress, the biggest source of aging early, so do your skin routine, avoid men, drink often, and take up yoga. Idk, I’m not a doctor.
SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Images: Sephora (2); Ulta; dermstore
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Ok, so, after some procrastination at work internet digging, we’ve discovered that you can make your face look more toned by moving your head around and being bougie while you do it (I paraphrase). It’s called face yoga, and it’s apparently a real thing. Hear me out. According to an interview with Birchbox, Meghan Markle—ever heard of her?—is a YUGE fan of face yoga or “facial massage techniques,” and credits it with her toned-looking and wrinkle-free visage, which got us to pay attention.
In said interview, Meghan said:
“I do facial exercises from one of my favorite aestheticians, Nicola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out. I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted.”
So, there you have it—and if it’s good enough for the future princess or whatever her title will be, it’s good enough for me. Apparently, doing these face yoga exercises can strengthen your face muscles and, therefore, relax lines and tension that can cause you to look tired. Here are the three funniest best face yoga exercises we found from Harpers Bazaar, Marie Clare, and the New York Times.
1. Stretch Your Eyes Like A Weirdo
Take your index finger and thumb and stretch your eyes, making a C shape. Your index finger should be on your eyebrow and your thumb on your cheek. Pull down with your index finger while trying to raise your eyebrows and make your eyes super wide. Hold, then repeat. Apparently this will make your forehead look better, although you’ll look really fucking stupid doing it.
Like this, but much different.
2. Crane Your Neck To Search For Drama
Look straight ahead with your chin center and level. Then turn your head to the right so that your chin is directly over your right shoulder and even, then tilt your head back. Return forward and repeat with the other side. Do this until you give up or feel hotter, whichever comes first.
3. Pretend To Give A Blow Job
Hide your teeth with your lips, make an O shape with your mouth, then smile as wide as you can while keeping your teeth hidden. You’ll look really fucking stupid, but this will help with cheek wrinkles or saggy skin.
May smooth skin, princes, and blessings be upon you.
Images: Shutterstock; Giphy(2)
Unfortunately, we’re all getting, like, older and grosser. That means we need tone it back on taking care of zits (well, some of us) and start taking care of potential wrinkles—which is literally so depressing. When did this happen? We used to be carefree! Sleeping in makeup! Smoking but telling everyone we didn’t! Eating like shit! Oh, how the tables have turned.
But before you give in to the Grim Reaper and literally die because hitting 30 is going to cause you to spiral into a deep depression, do yourself a favor and find some face treatments and creams that are way better at keeping nature at bay than you thought possible. Like, not only will they make you probs hotter, but they’ll help prevent wrinkles down the line, too. Bless.
1. Clinique Superdefense Age Defense Eye Cream SPF 20
Not too heavy to fuck up your makeup; not too light that it does literally nothing. Your eyes will be brightened and protected from the evil sun and wrinkles in general. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest of your entire bod (ew), so protect it and shit.
2. Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream
Smells like a spa, makes your skin super soft, and the hyaluronic acid actually PULLS moisture into your skin. Moist (sry) skin doesn’t wrinkle as easily, friends.
3. Coppertone ClearlySheer Faces for Sunny Days Broad Spectrum
LITERALLY this is the most important if you want to keep the crow’s feet and bullshit at bay. Slather on a good sunscreen during the summer months, regardless of how long you plan to be outside. Coppertone is a solid standby, and it’s silky enough to wear every day without making you feel like you’re six again and mom is slathering you with zinc before you head out to the beach.
4. Clarins Multi-Active Nuit
Clarins is a great choice for those of us who are super stressed and don’t get much sleep … so, everyone reading this, I assume. The texture isn’t greasy or gross AND it goes on smooth enough that you can put makeup on top of it. The organic California Poppy extract and shea butter both add tons of moisture, making this night cream a great option for those who aren’t ready to buy anything with the word “wrinkle” in the name.
5. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum
Serums mean good protection against free radicals (i.e. the disgustingly polluted air), which contribute to zits, aging, and general dullness. Gag. Adding a serum to your routine will help offset what nature wants to do to your face.
6. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
Fun fact: One of the best things you can do to prevent wrinkles is to wash your fucking face. Free radicals and makeup particles can actually sit on your skin and age it. So, making sure you get alllllll that shit off is SUPER important.
7. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Smooth & Flawless Peel + Moisturize
At the end of the day. nothing feels better than scrubbing the pain … er.. wrinkles away. Exfoliating a few times a week or using an acid peel can do wonders for your skin. Dr. Dennis has a fantastic formula that you only need to use once a week and follow up with some GOOD fucking moisturizer.
Image: Nik MacMillan / Unsplash
Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content.
Murad Skincare really knows their shit when it comes to making our skin look good AF. I mean the brand was founded by a doctor who believed that betches everywhere should be able to order a visit to the dermatologist online so he, like, gets us. This brand is the real fucking deal and their products will make you look like the ageless goddess your mother is always telling you you are. Plus we already know they can sit with us because we mentioned them in our 2016 holiday gift guide.
To refresh your memory, some of our favorite products that we included in our gift guide were the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, the Renewing Eye Cream, the Rapid Collagen Infusion for lips, and the Invisiblur Perfecting Shield. All amazing, so obsessed. Our new fav is the City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer, which is for the boss betch that spends her entire day in front of her work computer and struts through city pollution. Yum. It detoxifies and revitalizes your skin and neutralizes pollutants. Yay! Which brings me to my next point…
Aside from making us look really pretty, Dr. Murad is also looking out for our inner beauty. He went full on Elle Woods and did some extensive research about how much time we spend looking at screens and apparently it’s a disturbing amount. Like half-a-year-of-your-life disturbing amount. Damn that’s a lot of time online shopping and backwards stalking your ex’s new girlfriend.
And in case that statistic doesn’t make you immediately want to throw your phone in the ocean then get this: a recent Unilever study showed that 4 days in front of a screen is the equivalent to spending 20 minutes in the midday sun. So basically our iPhones are making our skin prematurely age and other bad shit and we are so screwed.
That’s why the good doctor is launching the EyesUp Campaign, an initiative designed to educate people about the dangers of digital-only relationships and the power of real-world human connection. Basically, he wants us to get off Instagram and, like, live our lives. The campaign will be driven by an impactful video (fingers crossed it features Sarah McLaughlin and I can sob to it every time I’m on my period) that depicts all the ways our screens are sabotaging our lives. Great. Murad is also launching an educational content hub to educate people about digital dependence and to take the EyesUp pledge.
We interviewed Dr. Murad so you all have a go-to source for what this campaign means for you, wtf is up with proper skincare, and the best things you can do to get flawless Kim K skin.
In what ways does “cultural stress” affect my skin? Are there signs I can look for on my face that indicate an impact from cultural stress?
Yes, Cultural Stress directly affects our skin in the form of inflammation, dark under-eye circles, dryness, flaky skin, and even premature signs of aging, all due to stress-induced water loss.
One critical element of Cultural Stress I talk about is digital dependency. Most people don’t realize that being on your digital devices can directly affect your skin – but it does. For example, did you know that four days in front of your computer is the equivalent to 20 minutes in the mid-day sun on your skin? The truth is that digital dependency and Cultural Stress don’t just affect your happiness, but it affects your skin and overall health.
What are your thoughts on Instagram, specifically the concept of “influencers”, or just general lack of self-confidence young women may gain just from scrolling through their feed and seeing all these seemingly flawless people?
Don’t get me wrong: I think social media, influencers and technology in general can be powerful tools for enabling positive societal changes. But too much of anything is not good, right? In particular, what I’ve found in my patients who face the prevalence of social media is that too many people are now comparing themselves to an unrealistic ideal of beauty or flawlessness. As a result, they feel badly about themselves and have a lowered self-esteem. This becomes a vicious cycle because, again, how you feel about yourself and how you live your life ultimately reflects on your skin and overall health and happiness.
Any chance you could give us a peek at a couple questions on the EyesUp Diagnostic Quiz?
Of course! Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Technology has enabled us to be online 24/7 and it is changing the way business operate. Please select the statements below that best apply to you:
- I am prone to ignoring my friends and family while doing work or checking email
- I often work during lunch and/or eat lunch at my desk, or skip lunch altogether
- My emails are out of control and I struggle to keep on top of them
- I sleep with my phone next to my bed at night
- I have fewer face to face interactions at work and/or at home
- None. Technology does not impact my work life
2. Cultural Stress is created by many different aspects of modern life. Please select 3 items below that you believe cause the greatest amount of stress in your life:
Work
- Financial concerns
- Traffic, Pollution
- Political Unrest
- Expectations from social media
- Expectations to look a certain way
- Relationships (family and/or close friends)
- None, I do not have any stress in my life
3. What would you rather do?
- Work one extra day a week
- Go one full day without checking your phone
What is your ultimate goal for your employees going through your new employee engagement program?
We definitely want to reduce screen time, but ultimately the goal is to increase human connections. To help do this, I’ve created “Human Connection Zones” throughout the office where I encourage people to meet and discuss tasks together, in-person rather than by simply sending an email. I’m also hosting EyesUp “Office Hours” for employees to get a prescription for coping with their unique source of Cultural Stress, as well as making small changes in the office to encourage more face-to-face interactions. For example, we’ve set up Digital Device Stations in each conference room to encourage device-free meetings and create a more meaningful and impactful experience.
What’s your biggest wish for our generation, regarding Cultural Stress and the way we perceive skin care and general wellness?
Being aware of how digital dependency takes a toll. It isn’t realistic to ask someone to ALWAYS be off their phone but finding a balance and making small healthy changes every day will make a big difference.
Does anti-aging stuff actually work?
The short answer is: it depends. As a dermatologist and trained pharmacist, I wholeheartedly believe in the power of efficacious topical products. But I also know from my research that that’s only one piece of the puzzle. I believe in a whole-person approach to skincare. When it comes to anti-aging, ingredients like retinol remain the gold standard but you also need to eat water-rich fruits and vegetables to boost cellular hydration levels, do plenty of physical activity to boost water-rich muscle, and be kind to your mind be reducing stress
Do you really have to wear sunscreen every day?
Yes! Sunscreen is vital to preventing sun damage. People don’t realize the amount of sun, UVA and UVB exposure that they’re getting daily, so sunscreen application and reapplication (no matter your skin tone) is essential.
How does drinking alcohol often affect your skin?
When you drink alcohol, it dehydrates your skin.
What I have found through my many decades of research is that regardless of what causes aging or disease the final common pathway is the reduction of water in our tissues. Yes, we can say that life is simply a slow process of continual dehydration. We wilt and wither over time, just like that plant you forgot to water until it was too late.
As our cells lose their integrity, we become more vulnerable to all the aspects of aging, such as oxidative stress (free radicals), inflammation, psychological and cultural stress, and disease. It’s a vicious cycle: our cells and connective tissues hold less and less water as we age, and we age as a result of that inability to hold onto water.
The best way to sustain and increase your intracellular water is by eating your water. On average, fruits and vegetables have very high water content. But unlike water you may drink from the tap or bottle, fruits and vegetables also contain essential antioxidants, phytochemicals, and macro- and micronutrients. Further, the water is in the structure of the food, meaning it breaks down slowly over time providing your body with optimal hydration levels.
What do celebrities actually do to their skin to make it look flawless? (ex: Kim K, JLo)
I can’t speak to specific celebrity skin regimens but in my experience flawless skin is part genetics, part make-up and just good luck!
What exactly happens to my skin when I’m staring at my phone at night? Is this the kind of thing that could lead to skin cancer?
Did you know four days in front of your computer is the same as 20 minutes in the mid-day sun? A daily dose of pollution and blue light from electronic devices can accelerate visible signs of aging. We are constantly checking our devices, whether it be our cell phone, tablet or computer; and as a result, we are exposing ourselves to blue light, a wavelength of visible light that more deeply penetrates skin that even UVA. Particularly at night, staring at your phone can wreak havoc on your natural circadian rhythm and impacts the way your body produces melatonin, the chemical in your body that makes you feel sleepy. That’s why I recommend putting your phone away – preferably in another room – at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep. That way, your body has time to adjust, prepare itself for sleep and its natural repair cycle.
We live in NYC so the air is obviously gross, how do your products specifically work to get all that shit out of our skin?
Don’t worry! Our Environmental Shield Collection does just this. For example, our City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer is specifically formulated to detox your skin overnight from environmental aggressors that have accumulated during the day. Washing your face each night isn’t enough to rid your pores of these toxins. City Skin’s formula is infused with super-charged antioxidants from Marrubium Plant Stem-Cells that neutralize pollutants and strengthen skin’s barrier while you sleep. Marrubium Plant Stem-Cells, after being stressed with environmental aggressors such as smog and smoke in a laboratory in France, produce very potent antioxidants. These super-charged antioxidants detoxify and neutralize pollutants and help boost skin’s own natural defense system.
We also have a City Skin SPF 50 mineral sunscreen product launching next month so stay tuned!
What are three easy things I can do every day to keep my skin healthy & prevent obvious signs of aging?
Three easy things you can do to keep your skin healthy: reduce cultural stress, wear a moisturizing SPF, and smile daily.
What advice do you have for an office full of young adults whose lifeblood is social media?
Our new initiative, EyesUp, is all about educating people about the danger of digital-only relationships and the power of real-world human connection. So, let me be clear, going “EyesUp” doesn’t mean you need to get rid of your phones, but rather make little adjustments to your day that will make a long-term difference in your health and well-being.
You don’t have to move to a deserted island and give up all connection to social media. But at dinner with your friends, leave your phone in your purse. On the commute into work on the train, don’t just stare down at your iPad – say hello to a stranger. Just five minutes of real-life, eyes-up human connection can make all the difference.
