4 Secrets to Getting Great Skin

Secret #1: Do what your mom always told you to do. “Sun protection is essential for nice skin. If you smoke, quit. Eat blueberries and other fruits with rich color, which are full of antioxidants. Deep red, yellow and green vegetables are also good. Despite the warnings about mercury and other contaminants, I think fish, with its oils, is very healthy. Stay hydrated. Don’t overdo alcohol and caffeine. And, yes, get enough sleep. Most of us do not.”
Secret #2: Don’t have model envy: A slim bod doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cellulite-free. “Cellulite is caused when little bits of fatty tissue push through the fibrous connective-tissue lattice that is part of the normal structure of our [skin],” says Dr. Gordon. “The fatty tissue itself is soft, and the fibrous connective tissue is tough. So you can think of it as the soft fat popping through the open spaces between the strands of fibrous tissue. No matter the body shape, even little bits of fat can push their way through.” Long story short: Fatty tissue—aka cellulite—can show up on all shapes and sizes, even Gisele-like frames.
Secret #3: Skip the salsa and chips; avoiding salty foods and other water-retention traps can help decrease the appearance of cellulite. “If you retain fluids, you may feel your cellulite is worse than if you don’t,” says Dr. Gordon. “The more fat there is and the boggier that soft fat is, the more likely it is to push through the connective tissue”—and show up as cellulite. Let’s hear it for low-sodium soy sauce!
Secret #4: Seek out a sweet exfoliator. “Harsh exfoliators may chafe the skin,” says Gordon. “I like a sugar scrub because it dissolves as you use it. For this reason, it’s hard to over-exfoliate with a well-made sugar scrub.” Check out the new soft, body-friendly line of St. Ives Moisturizing In-Shower Exfoliating Body Polishes.