Easy Ways To Get A Hollywood Glow

Celebrity aesthetician Lea Eigard suggests that Gwyneth Patrow‘s translucent and glowing complexion is probably the by-product of her healthy lifestyle. However, Gwyneth has been plagued by her fair share of skin problems just like the rest of us. At times, “Gwyneth’s skin appears to be dehydrated and thin, which can cause makeup to look cakey and show every little crack and crease. There’s also some bumpiness which can easily be treated with hydroquinone, extractions and ultrasonic treatments.”

Go Beneath the Surface

To keep aging at bay and help your skin stay line-free, your dermatologist may prescribe a medical-grade retinol. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are also often used to reduce pore size, fight acne and diminish the signs of sun damage. “Retinol works by sloughing off dead skin cells on the surface and enhancing the turnover of the layer of living cells beneath,” says Oakland, CA, dermatologist Katie Rodan, MD.

If hyperpigmentation is preventing you from achieving a sunny glow like Jessica Alba’s, you can treat it professionally with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

Be Spot Free

Both ablative and nonablative resurfacing procedures work to reinstate spot-free skin. “IPL can be helpful in eliminating brown and red spots on the face as well as any part of the body,” says Staten Island, NY, dermatologist Michael Kurzman, MD.

There’s no downtime with IPL and you’ll be left with refreshed, youthful skin.

For skin free of any sagging, like the taut, toned complexion of Kate Hudson, an in-office electrical facial may do the trick. The pain-free and safe treatment uses a dual-prong-tipped wand to deliver electrical currents to shape up underlying muscles and tighten up slightly sagging skin. The energy is believed to promote better cell function, increase circulation and boost collagen production.

British actress Emily Blunt reminds us that a fair-skinned complexion is beautiful, especially when it is smooth and line-free. Collagen is an important factor, as it is the structure below the surface that keeps skin lifted. When collagen diminishes (typically through aging) that’s when fine lines start to form.

You can combat that with a collagen-boosting diet that consists of foods like omega-3 fatty acids (tuna and salmon), water-rich veggies (cucumbers and asparagus), vitamin-A-enriched produce (carrots and sweet potatoes) and red-colored food varieties (tomatoes and peppers).

To maintain her youthful glow, Jennifer Lopez’s facialist Michelle Peck treats her with oxygen facials, which release therapeutic-grade oxygen and special serums deep within the skin. This quick-fix hydrator revives aged skin and strengthens it while increasing elasticity. A single treatment can leave the skin looking plumper, more dewy and even lifted.

Bless Yourself

If you aren’t blessed with Jennifer’s naturally golden glow, follow her makeup artist’s tricks to capture the look. Scott Barnes uses bronzer on her entire face; highlights her brow bones and cheeks with peachy shades. “Less is more, and, with her, a nude-beige lip and bronzed skin make her look fresh and beautiful,” says Barnes.

Model Miranda Kerr has youth on her side, along with a clear complexion. To keep adult acne at bay, your dermatologist may prescribe you birth control pills, some of which absorb the extra testosterone making it less likely to bind with the receptors that relay messages of increased oil production in your skin.

Combine Treatments

Another prescription, oral antibiotics, can work on acne to target bacterial levels and keep them in balance. “You may need to treat it topically, too, but if you don’t have some sort of oral anti-inflammatory antibiotic, you won’t see much of a result,” says New York dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD.

Dark, rich skin like that of Beyoncé Knowles is so coveted because the signs of aging are held at bay due to the higher levels of oil. However, it is more susceptible to discoloration. Regular chemical peels can effectively address hyperpigmentation, but should be handled by a professional, as it’s easy to overpeel and damage the skin with at-home products.

Chemical peels are also a great option for reviving dullness. Your derm can help determine the best type of peel for your skin concerns. 

If you want a sun-kissed glow like Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge, avoid sun exposure, which subjects the skin to dangerous UVA and UVB rays (leading to sun spots and wrinkles). Instead, opt for a self-tanner. Use a gentle exfoliator and then pull your hair back so that you can blend the self-tanner into your hairline and avoid an obviously fake tan.

Laser Away

However, if you do suffer from previous sun damage including brown spots, blotches and uneven tone, it’s not too late to get healthy, youthful skin. Allumera, a laser treatment which uses a combination of light (like LED) with a topical sensitizer to fight photodamage, could be the key to rejuvenating your skin. Another option, Fraxel’s non-ablative laser Dual System safely penetrates the skin down to the dermis to target fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and even precancerous lesions with almost no downtime.

Dancer, singer and actress Julianne Hough is the epitome of California beauty with her blond hair, blue eyes and perfect complexion. If you want to achieve such super healthy tone, avoid these skin saboteurs:

• Dehydration: Drink plenty of water to ensure every layer of your skin is getting the hydration it needs.
• Inactivity: Exercise stimulates the lymphatic system, which leads to better blood flow and cell function.
• Smoking: As if they don’t cause enough problems, the chemicals in cigarettes will strip your skin of moisture and cause excessive drying. Stop already.
• Sun damage: Repeated unprotected sun protection will deplete your collagen and elastic, leading to dreaded wrinkles.