Ask the expert: Shani Darden

“Environmental stressors cause inflammation and deplete collagen, which leads to looser, more wrinkled skin. Simply put, pollution speeds up the aging process and is something we’re exposed to every single day. Using an antioxidant serum in the morning (before sunscreen) helps reverse signs of damage and prevent further problems. Vitamin C in particular is an amazing antioxidant ingredient: it boosts collagen, reduces hyperpigmentation and brightens the skin overall, giving you healthier, firmer, more youthful skin.”

“One of the problems I see all the time is women using the wrong products for their skin type. They text me to see what a celebrity is using, and I always say that just because something works for someone else or is on Instagram or is cool, that doesn’t mean it’s going to work on your skin. Some of the signs that it’s the wrong product for you are dry, itchy or tight skin, or you could be inconsistently oily or breaking out. When you’re using the right products, skin is balanced, glowing and hydrated. Taking the time to find out which products work best specifically for your skin is worth the effort. It’s also important to introduce any new products slowly and not all at once; if you add too many at the same time, it can be difficult to pinpoint what’s working.”

“This is my philosophy, which means not overdoing it with lasers, scrubs, peels and micro-needling. People tend to go overboard, doing invasive treatments too often; overdoing any of these can cause your skin to be more sensitive and irritated. Exfoliating once or twice a week is enough – I also prefer chemical exfoliants over scrubs, as they tend to be more effective and less harsh than some grainy scrubs. For me, the basics for a great morning skincare routine are a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin, an antioxidant serum and sunscreen. At night, I would go for a gentle cleanser again, a treatment serum like a retinol or acne treatment, hyaluronic acid if your skin needs extra hydration, an eye cream and the best moisturizer for your skin type.”

“This has become one of my absolute favorite ways to keep skin looking younger and lifted. It’s such an incredible, non-invasive treatment that reduces the need for Botox and fillers. Using a low-level electrical current to tone, tighten and lift, it also improves circulation to give the skin an amazing glow. It’s not only great for treating aging skin, it’s also a brilliant preventative as well.”

“If you’re experiencing breakouts, it could be from using the wrong products for your skin type, or it could be your diet. I always recommend first eliminating dairy from your diet if you’re dealing with any form of acne, but especially cystic acne – those hard, painful bumps under the skin – as the hormones in milk can cause inflammation, which could lead to breakouts. A few other things to remove from your diet to help reduce acne are caffeine, shellfish, chocolate, sugar and refined carbs. Sticking to fresh, real foods as well as limiting processed foods can help to clear breakouts. I added Lumity supplements to my routine several months ago and I’ve been very happy with the way my skin looks since. They’re full of essential nutrients to keep skin healthy and luminous. What you put into your body can absolutely have an effect on your skin. Also, while drinking water doesn’t necessarily keep your skin hydrated, if you are dehydrated, it’s going to have an effect on your skin.”

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