7 Days to Flawless Skin

Everyone has heard the horror stories about breakouts occurring on the day of an event, and it causes a lot of grief in the days leading up to our own special occasions. Stress, among other things, actually causes breakouts. There is no fail-safe way to ensure that you will not have a huge pimple on the end of your nose on your wedding day. The only way to decrease the occurrence of blemishes is to embark on an immediate regimen to improve the quality of your skin. This can be accomplished in 7 days, following these guidelines:

Examine your makeup. While there may not be an expiration date, bacteria can grow in your makeup over time. Mascara and other liquid makeup products are especially susceptible to bacterial growth. As a general rule, throw out makeup that stinks, or the odor has changed since you bought it. Mascara and liquid eyeliners should be replaced every 2-3 months. Never share eye makeup. The bacteria in your cosmetics could be causing your skin to break out.

I know that it is difficult, but go without makeup for the week leading up to your big day. Your skin could use the break. No matter how good a makeup product is, it can still lead to clogged pores. Giving your skin a break every couple of months could reduce the total number of breakouts that you experience. During this vacation from makeup, wash your face twice a day, every day with a clarifying cleanser like Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser ($26 at www.murad.com). Follow your cleansing ritual with a top notch facial moisturizer, such as Elite Cryogenic Moisturizer ($89 from www.eliteskin.com), and an intensive eye treatment like Boscia Intensive Eye Treatment, $48 at www.sephora.com. These products may be expensive, but trust me, they are worth it.

The #1 rule for great looking skin is to never, EVER get a treatment the day before or the day of an event. That being said, for flawless skin, invest in an at-home micro-dermabrasion kit. Use a product like Physicians Formula Derm@Home Mineral Micro-dermabrasion System ($30.99 at drugstores) to exfoliate dead skin and reveal newer, fresher, and younger skin.

Flawless skin starts from the inside. Make it a point to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. What you eat is also important. Cut out all fats and oils in your diet. Greasy foods are known to cause breakouts. A diet of fresh fruits and veggies combined with whole grains can help to keep your skin in the best possible condition.

Get some sun. Everyone should be aware of the dangers of overexposure to the sun, but a little responsible time in the sun can actually help to clear up breakouts. Use an oil-free sunscreen like Ulta Oil Free Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 30 for $9.99 at www.ulta.com. Not only will your skin be free of blemishes, you will also develop a healthy glow.

Now that we have discussed the way to flawless skin, I want to add a few things. Never squeeze pimples, blackheads, or bumps. This can damage your skin beyond repair and introduce bacteria that can lead to an infection. Instead, use a spot treatment like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Correct and Perfect Spot Treatment ($28 at www.sephora.com).

If you are a victim of severe acne, you should consult your dermatologist. Prescription medications are available that will do you more good than the over-the-counter options.