Image and Article Credit : http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/
Remember when Grandma told you to put lotion on your elbows
and knees? Or warned you not to make faces or it will get stuck? Turns out,
there's some truth to the little pearls of beauty wisdom she so lovingly
shared. Not only have they withstood the test of time, but they're actually
pretty simple to follow.
1. Moisturizing is essential.
Why She's Right:
Dehydrated skin can lead to eczema, wrinkles, itchiness, and
infection. "My grandmother and mother (and all women in my family) had the
same piece of advice — moisturize your skin after baths and showers starting
from birth!" says Dr. Amy McMichael, professor and chair of Wake Forest
Baptist Health's department of dermatology in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"I think this is an overlooked pearl for a lot of women, but it is a
common cultural practice among African Americans and it makes a difference.
Skin is a lot more supple and attractive with consistent moisturization."
2. To keep your skin young, sleep on your back.
Why She's Right:
Stomach sleeping may be comfy, but making a habit of it will
give you lines. Having trouble switching positions? Dr. Adrienne Stewart, a
dermatologist in Denver, recommends snoozing on silk or sateen pillowcases
because they are softer and more forgiving should your face hit the pillow.
3. For heaven's sake, never drink from a straw.
Why She's Right:
Yes, sucking down that soda or iced coffee can etch creases
around your mouth, confirms Dr. Mary Lupo, a dermatologist in New Orleans.
4. Vaseline is a beauty must-have.
Why She's Right:
Dr. Susan Taylor, dermatologist and founder of Rx for Brown
Skin, says that her grandma suggested this medicine cabinet mainstay for dry
skin, chapped lips, and cracked heels. Considered one of the ultimate
multi-tasking moisturizers, we agree it's a keeper.
5. Be gentle to your skin.
Why She's Right:
Aggressive rubbing can lead to broken blood vessels on the
skin or under the eyes, warns Valerie Callender, MD, Associate Professor of
Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Her
grammy's sound advice: "Apply moisturizer to your face twice daily with
upward strokes — this technique prevents facial skin from sagging."
6. Coconut oil conditions best.
Why She's Right:
You can't open a magazine or read a beauty blog without
seeing news about this It beauty product, but it's actually been used in India
for years, says Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, a dermatologist in Long Island, New York.
Mariwalla massages coconut oil into her and her children's scalps and hair for
a healthy, soft look.
7. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.
Why She's Right:
Before fancy, pricey creams, or devices were even a thought,
our grandmothers were experts at refreshing their skin with simple tools.
"Using a nice soft textured washcloth to wash the face is a gentle method
of removing scales from the skin — a light exfoliation. After cleansing, apply
a light moisturizer to improve skin texture over time," says Dr. Wilma
Bergfeld, dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and founding member of the
Women's Dermatologic Society.
8. Pond's Cold Cream and Dove Beauty Bar are the bomb.
Why She's Right:
Okay, maybe she didn't exactly say "the bomb," but
there's a reason these cult classics have been staples in drugstore beauty
aisles for so many years. The reason is, of course, that they work! Dr. Lynne
Drake, a dermatologist at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital, says that
her 96-year-old nana had the skin of a 60-year-old because she washed off her
makeup every night and used Pond's during the day. And who doesn't remember a
crisp Dove Beauty Bar sitting perfectly on their grandma's porcelain soap dish?
In 2015, this product continues to provide real beauty benefits.
9. Get no fewer than 8 hours of beauty sleep.
Why She's Right:
This study from the University Hospitals Case Medical Center
found that sleep quality affected the quality of skin, increasing signs of
aging. Since skin regenerates itself at night, lack of sleep can lead to dry,
sullen, and eventually saggy skin.
10. You are what you eat.
Why She's Right:
Eating your veggies is good for your heart and skin. Green
leafy vegetables are full of antioxidants that fight off free radicals from
sunlight. Grandma may not have known all of those details, but she never
doubted the many benefits of broccoli and beets.
11. There is nothing more beautiful than self-love.
Why She's Right:
Can't argue with that. Instead of constantly trying to
change, there is a lot to be said for not merely accepting, but truly loving
our bodies and natural beauty. Dr. Amy Paller, professor and chair of
Northwestern University's department of dermatology shares, "I always had
curly hair and just hated it growing up — straightened it all the time, always
wanted it long and straight — but eventually learned that it was okay to go
natural." Sound good to us!
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