5 secret skin care tips from a celebrity aesthetician

There are quite a few skin care tips we consider standard practice, like always wear sunscreen daily, and never pick ... ever! But there are also plenty of ways to keep your skin nourished and glowy that fly under the radar. To give us the lowdown on these secret skin-savers, we reached out to celebrity aesthetician Vanessa Hernandez. Here are her little-known, must-try tips for great skin.

1) Avoid Going Product-Heavy on Problem Spots
One of the most common mistakes to make is picking a pesky pimple, but you can still cause damage even without poking and popping, Vanessa advises. "If you have a breakout, apply a drying lotion once a day, not several times throughout the day. Too much lotion may cause your skin to get flaky and dry, causing the pimple to take longer to heal."

2) Take Extra Precaution on Planes
Flying is extra harsh on the skin for what seems like an obvious reason: dry cabin air. But that's not the only factor that can contribute to a less-than-stellar in-flight complexion; germs and bacteria (on seat belts, door handles, tray tables), and even sun or light radiation exposure can cause damage. To combat these elements, Vanessa suggests keeping three products handy and using them throughout the flight: facial cleansing wipes, toner or hydrating spray, and eye cream.

3) Ask for the Right Treatment
To help prevent dull skin, enlarged pores and wrinkles, Vanessa recommends getting a professional facial at least once every four to six weeks. But because monthly trips to the spa are not exactly schedule- or budget-friendly, here are her tricks for getting the most out of each treatment: "Make sure it includes some type of physical exfoliation, like microdermabrasion -- dry or wet." She adds, "If that is not an option, then try a chemical exfoliation like a gentle glycolic peel."

4) Give Equal Skin Care Love to All Your Body Parts
Don't skimp on your skin care by only focusing on your face. The neck, chest, back and even the backs of your hands will benefit from some extra TLC. For your neck, chest and the backs of your hands, you can simply extend your face regimen -- which should include everything from exfoliation to hydration and, of course, SPF. To avoid blackheads and clogged pores on your back, Vanessa recommends scrubbing with a loofah in the shower.

5) Eat Your Way to a Killer Complexion
"You are what you eat" isn't exactly a brand-new mantra, but because diet trends are often in flux, we figured it was worth another mention. Vanessa says, "Greens, berries, avocados, salmon, almonds, flaxseed -- all high in antioxidants, omegas and vitamins -- have been known to help your skin stay healthy from the inside out. Avoid fried foods, dairy and sugar, which all can cause congestion in the body and the skin."

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