Skin SOS

Your most common skin issues, solved

The unfortunate situation has happened to us all. You roll out of bed, glance in the mirror and - staring back at you - you see puffy eyes, red cheeks and a breakout of momentous proportions. What could possibly have happened overnight to create this unsightly reflection?

Don't panic! Howard Murad, M.D., founder of Murad Inc., has solutions and tips on how to practically guarantee a glowing complexion in the morning.

What Happened?

To prevent morning skin woes, it helps to understand how they begin. Dr. Murad says the No. 1 cause of breakouts is stress. And on top of normal stress, people often panic about their breakouts. But, he says, "Don't panic; it will only make it worse. Your mental health and outlook affects your complexion. The more stressed you are, the worse it will be."

If you've skipped your skincare regimen, especially before bed, you likely are experiencing serious skin issues. "At the end of the day, your skin is covered in makeup, smog and pollutants. Cleansing diminishes damage to your skin by removing debris that has accumulated throughout the day," Dr. Murad says.

Another hidden culprit to skin blunders is a dirty pillowcase. "More than 60 percent of people perspire at night, and this gets absorbed into your pillowcase." Your best bet is to pick a pillowcase that is a soft cotton fabric that doesn't irritate your skin and absorbs any moisture.

Remedy the Situation

Despite your best efforts, your face this morning is anything-but-glowing. What's the next step?

First, try to cut back on salt if you're suffering from puffy eyes. One gram of salt requires 23 grams of water to eliminate it. When you don't have enough water in your body, your body bloats and your eyes swell. Grab your trusty bag of peas from the freezer and press to your eyes, which will help reduce inflammation.

If you're fighting a blemish, try Murad Acne Spot Treatment, which can help a pimple disappear that same day and promote quick healing. In addition, the Murad Acne Treatment Concealer can be used
to cover the blemish while it heals.

It's Not Just What's Outside That Counts

The key to issue-free skin goes back to Dr. Murad's three-pronged approach to skincare called Inclusive Health, which includes topical care, internal care and emotional self-care. Because your entire body is connected, all three facets of your health need to be addressed.

Topical self-care stresses the importance of using quality products that both treat and nourish your skin type. "It's almost more important that you choose specific products for night, because these help fortify and strengthen your skin," says Dr. Murad.

Internal care means you're choosing to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle that includes a diet full of waterrich fruits and vegetables and regular exercise. And be sure you are getting a full night of sleep. Lack of sleep can throw your body out of whack and ultimately show in your skin. "You don't function at as high a level and can't handle stress as well," Dr. Murad says.

Lastly, emotional self-care means you manage stress and take time to unwind and relax. The time you take to restore and rejuvenate will show in your complexion.

Dr. Murad stresses how important it is to try to live a balanced life instead of the "perfect life." Putting unnecessary stress on yourself is unrealistic and unhealthy. "Feel good with who you are, so you don't get stressed with little things that could ultimately affect your appearance and wellbeing," he says.

-By Julie Wlodychak