On Stress and Hydration

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.

It's no big secret that stress can take a toll on your skin, causing all sorts of wrinkles and blemishes. I'm pretty sure I aged at least two years in the last three months, which were comprised of finding a job, finding a new place to live, moving my belongings 300 miles, unpacking boxes, starting a new job, and adjusting to a new schedule.

I once read that the best thing to do for healthy skin is to relax. Oh, really? You don't say. I would love to soak in a bubble bath with candles, a book, and a glass of wine. But, um, I'm not sure where exactly that fits in when you are finding a job, finding a new place to live, moving your belongings 300 miles, unpacking boxes, starting a new job, and adjusting to a new schedule. And, anyway, I have no idea which box contains the candles and which contains the bubble bath (the wine glasses, on the other hand, were among the first items unpacked). Sure, I'd love to sit and listen to some music, but it seems just as stressful to sit there thinking about all the boxes I need to unpack instead of just unpacking them already.

My skin always looks its loveliest on vacation and I marvel at how dewy it is after two weeks in Paris or the Yucatan. But, let's get real, we can't always be relaxing in hammocks on the beach. Sometimes we need more than just a massage to get our skin looking pretty.

I don't have any secrets about how to de-stress for better skin (other than vacationing as often as possible!). What I can say is this: no matter how stressed I am there are three things I can do to help my skin. I fear what my skin might look like if I didn't follow these steps: 1) wear sunscreen, 2) drink water, and 3) moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. We may not always be able to de-stress, but it doesn't mean we can't fight the blemishes and wrinkles on a daily basis by staying hydrated, inside and out.

Feel like your moisturizer’s fresh feeling can’t last all day? New Olay Total Effects Cooling Hydration instantly cools and leaves skin with a moisturized fresh feeling that lasts from morning to night. This oil-free daily moisturizer provides 7 anti aging benefits in 1 lightweight formula--complete with vitamins, minerals and cooling mint extract for an invigorating burst of freshness. For more information visit Olay.

For a chance to win $100 from the wonderful (and beautiful) folks at BlogHer, leave a comment telling me how you keep your skin looking so lovely. Then, visit the BlogHer.com Exclusive Offers page where you will find 14 other bloggers’ beauty stories and 14 more chances to win!

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: (a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post, (b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post, (c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post, (d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
• Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on December 20, 2010.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected

Check out the official rules, too, if you like that kind of legal stuff.

Comments

[Hope]

I always wash my skin at night, I'm hyper vigilant about sunscreen and moisturizer and I use a Vitamin E mask every now and then.

[Gwen]

Drinking lots of water, taking multivitamins, and keeping my skincare routine as minimalist as possible (moisturizer, physical sunscreen, and occasionally a light peel pad).

[Laura]

I am beginning finals week right now which means spending lots of time indoors, eating poorly, and circles under my eyes darker than the dead of night. To counteract the havoc that finals cause, I drink tons of water, put on moisturizer after washing face whenever I wake up and before going to sleep (no matter what ungodly hour that may be). I also spend the week after finals drinking margaritas with my friends and spend tons of time in my pajamas. By the end of that week, I no longer look like a zombie!

[sherin]

I drink tons of water and always wash my face twice a day.

[Heidi]

i wash my face at least once every day with a cleanser and use a sensitive skin moisturizer once a day.

[denise]

I have such a long beauty routine I think I’m embarrassed. Everyday I brush and floss my teeth and use mouthwash, (true story) I wash my face with Neutrogena every morning, then I apply Aveeno moisturizer, and a foundation Primer, then foundation and concealer, powder, eyeliner, mascara, blush, and lipgloss. Phew! I guess you could say I’m not a natural beauty!

[nancy]

Wash, drink, and mask. Moisturizer every night. Avoid chocolate, because no matter what anyone says, my face does break out when I indulge in chocolate.

[Monica B]

My skin always looks so much better when I'm drinking tons of water. But it doesn't hurt to have a great moisturizer for the night and an eye cream for the day.

[Nelly Barney]

tweeted!!

http://twitter.com/#!/nellybarney/status/12072367001964544

nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

[Nelly Barney]

i dont have to much time to do much in the mornings- i have three kids so i am always busy! i will curl my eyelashes for church but that is about it. i dont really know how to apply makeup,i have always wanted to learn! i guess my skin looks the best right after a nice hot shower :)

nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

[Mami2jcn]

I think genetics play a huge part. I stay out of the sun and moisturize.

[Mami2jcn]

tweet-http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/12123823759433728

[Leah]

1. I moisturize, with sunscreen. I have worked outdoors for the last couple of years, and I don't think anyone would guess it.

2. I just wash my face with water. Okay, I am lucky to not need tons of soap to clean it. By just using water, my face doesn't dry out too much.

3. The occasional nice steamy washcloth or breathing in from a steaming pot also helps my face feel nice and fresh. Just lay a hot washcloth over your face or let your head sit over the pasta water for 30 seconds. Definitely clears those pores.

[Sally]

I try to drink plenty of water, wash my face at night and sometimes moisturize. Will definately try this Olay moisturizer.

[Susan Smith]

I drink water, stay out of the sun, get enough sleep, wash my face and use a moisturizer in the morning and at night.

s2s2 at comcast dot net

[Susan Smith]

http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/12162369010532352

[Dawn P.]

Drinking a lot of water is always helpful, and plenty of sleep and rest never hurts. The thing that helps my skin the most though, is Micro Retin-A. My skin looks very dry and scaly during the time that I use it, but the results are beautiful skin for weeks after (and it gets rid of those discolorations as well). I always get compliments on my skin in teh weeks following my use of that.

[Maria]

I just wash my face daily.

[KathyN Scott]

Drinking lots of water and using moisturizers helps my skin look good.

[Pauline M]

I honestly don't have a great beauty routine. I usually find a product that I like and then it starts to break out my skin so I start searching for something new!

[Margaret Smith]

Honestly, I think by using a spf moisturizer during the day & a nightime moisturizer in the evening has helped me the most. Also, I never go to bed with makeup on and make sure to wash my face each night.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

[karen]

I have a simple routine, moisturize well, and yes, I do drink a lot of water.

[nanjhall]

I drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly. So far, this has done wonders for my complexion.

[nanjhall]

My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/12302617493381120

[B]

I drink tons of water…wash my face every night…and actually use oil of olay lotion!

[Cynthia]

Wash my face and put a moisturizer on. I have been doing this for 30 years.

[cathy miller]

My best advice for my skin regimen is drinking plenty of water, it really does make a difference and I find it difficult to make sure I do but it gives me the most benefit

[dawns41]

I wash with soap and water then use a moisturizer. I drink plenty of water and get enough sleep.
dawns_horizen@yahoo.com

[Roxanne Ellis Raymond]

I love olay regenerist line especially the serum - it feels very luxurious and my skin loves it. Ive been wearing it every day since it first came out

[Nadine L]

Drinking plenty of water, washing and moisturizing day and night. Very little to no makeup except on special occasions

[Nadine L]

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/eyzofblu63/status/12327870659563520

[Cindy]

Ha...I wish my skin was lovely but its rather dry and it seems I can't put on enough moisturizer or drink enough fluids.
Dove056 at aol dot com

[Cindy]

Tweet - http://twitter.com/Dove056/status/12340482092830721
Dove056 at aol dot com

[www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmmn3fscp8xeLkpDcnWOyT6tXWQQhWeaaI]

i wash it and make sure i use eye cream at night and neck cream
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

[LAMusing]

Due to thyroid problems, my once lovely skin... isn't anymore. Moisturizers and exfolients help :)

[LAMusing]

tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/12367763326636033

[Norma]

I'm 79 - let's just say I wish I had moisturized more often!

[SANDY]

sunscreen ....

[Benny Williams]

I don't do too much, except wash. But I know my wife uses moisturizers daily. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Benny Williams]

I also tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/12397508328169472

[Jessie C.]

I use moisturizer every day without fail. Add cream during winter due to my dry skin.

[Jessie C.]

tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/12400592563470336

[Tari L.]

I wish my skin looked lovely...lol. I really don't do much for my skin and it probably shows. The only thing I do on a regular basis is wash with a facial cleanser.

[Adrienne gordon]

I don't, it has gone to heck and a hand basket.

[EMMA L HORTON]

MOISTURIZE, EXERCISE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

[Janice Whitaker]

Use sunscreen...you will be glad the older you get!!!
whit1966@gmail.com

[Deedles]

I drink lots of water and moisturizer morning and night.

[Christine]

I'm trying to drink more water, using my new Clarisonic and moisturizing. I'd love to try this new one! Thank you!

[Christine]

I tweeted http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/12542738528468992

[Alecia]

I only wash my face at night. Keeps it from being too dry. I don't currently moisturize because they all break me out, but I'm currently looking for one that won't do that. I'm 33 now and really need to take better care of my skin!

[brooke @B & the boy!]

I am lucky to be blessed with slowly aging skin. My mother doesn't look a day over 30 and she will be 60 next year. :) I use a mild cleanser and generally follow that up with Olay moisturizer for sensitive skin with SPF 15 (I think). Oh, and at least 8 glasses of water daily.

[Amber]

I moisturize and cleanse my face daily, the older I get the more I know it's important. Thanks!

[Amber]

Tweet:http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/12563306216689665

[Laura]

I try to keep my skin in shape by moisturizing in the morning and at night, never using soap on my face and drinking lots of water.

[Jberthiaume.wordpress.com]

My skin isn't looking so lovely these days. My moisturizer just stopped working for me. So there's that! I just cover it up and hope for the best until I can find something that works... Maybe this is what I've been looking for!

[Anna S]

i use argan and coconut oils for my skin

[ronbailey]

You mean besides dragging a sharpened piece of steel across my jugular each morning?

[Julie]

I've used Olay products since I was young (14?). Currently, I use the regenerist serum as a moisturizer followed by a moisturizer with spf 30. And at night I use retinol.

[Kate Brown]

Truthfully, I just started using olay regenerist for wrinkles and I love it. Might have to try this moisurizer too!

[Dennis]

olay always has great products

[Heathers]

Always use moisturizer w/spf15 and drink lots of water

[Heathers]

tweet
http://twitter.com/buzz8/status/12654579464278016

[valerie mabrey]

I do use a skin brush to get rid of the old skin. Think that makes my skin feel smooth

[Suzanne K]

Wash with just water, moisturize (Olay is one of my favorites), try to get enough sleep, wear sunscreen when I'm going to be outside and hope that my mom's genes got passed on to me!

sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net

[ohkeeka]

I have awful skin, so everyday I use wash my face, use copious amounts of salicylic acid on my problem areas, and cross my fingers that I don't break out. I also drink lots of water and take flax oil and evening primrose oil supplements everyday.

[Stephanie V.]

no beauty routine this very moment except moisturize all I can. Fighting cancer, just had treatment last week and in isolation so obviously having a rough one away from hubby and the kids right now.
tvollowitz at aol dot com

[emily kate]

Sunscreen! I'm very strict about that.

[Tabathia B]

I use oil of olay cleanser daily and moisturize with tea tree moisturizer
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Tabathia B]

tweet
http://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/12738024760676352
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

[Joanna]

I have super dry skin, so I totally need help with this! I try to moisturize with Clinique, but then I get zits, go figure!?!

[Daddy Rich]

Nothing much lately has changed in my routine. Everyday I shave, shower, and tweeze my brow. When the planets are aligned I might take a soothing bath with some lavender salts!
- Daddy Rich
daddyrichispoor@gmail.com

[Sunshyn V]

I moisturize every day and have barely been able to be out in the sun at all for years. I think that's why my skin looks very good for my age.
chainmail (at) iwon (dot) com

[Sunshyn V]

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/The_Sunshyn/status/12813600649388032

[Cynthia C]

Well, lovely is a stretch, but I do wash and moisturize daily and use sunscreen when I'll be outdoors.

[mistysunrise]

I moisturize every single day

itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

[mistysunrise]

tweet

http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/12875165364916224

itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

[BonnieP]

I moisturize when ever I feel my face needs it. If my face feels dry, I grab my little jar and dot it on my face
bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com

[elizabeth]

I am a wash and go kinda girl- maybe moisturizer and chapstick on a good day!

[Jennifer Maslowski]

I drink lots of water, use a natural moisturizer/sunblock, and take vitamin supplements.
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

[Kelly]

I drink a lot of water! My skin has never been clearer or softer. :)

krtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com

[Sarah Hirsch]

i let nature take its course and don't wear makeup which can often cause breakouts

[Mary W]

Wash my face and add a nice light moisturizer with sunscreen.

[Steph]

SPF and sleep!!

[Steph]

http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/13090508565905408

[janna]

I exfoilate my face with natural loofah everday and use body butter!! Never did when I was younger. My skin is clearer than ever before!
Merry Xmas! Thanks!
Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
janna@feedyourpigblog.com
www.feedyourpigblog.com

[Tamara]

I try to moisturize every day. My skin is dry. Winter is also very hard on my skin right now. I would like to try the Olay Total Effects.

[Leah]

How do I keep my skin lovely? Since getting older, I have a regime of clean, exfoliate, and moisturize (vit e)....it helps but I wouldn't say lovely!

leahforlove at aol dot com

[Leah]

http://twitter.com/#!/leahforlove/status/13225842356256769

leahforlove at aol dot com

[Brooke]

I inherited my dad's skin so unfortunately it isn't nice all the time. But ivory soap every night helps clean off all that make up. Thanks for the chance.

[Kari]

I wash my face every night and moisturize twice a day.. I have oily sensitive skin, so it is hard finding something that doesn't make me break out or give me a rash. I know wonderful ehh?

[angie]

I keep my skin looking its best by not wearing any makeup, so its all about washing away oil/dirt/dead skin with a good organic vegan cleanser and then following that up with an organic vegan face lotion with SPF of at least 15. Final touch = organic vegan lip balm!

[angie]

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/13312246230810625

[MJ]

Have just recently learned how important sunscreen is and wish I used it more when I was younger. I wash twice a day and moisturize and that's about it.

[scott]

The biggest thing I have learned is that I need to be sure to get the lotion thru my goatee down to my skin under the hair. If I don't, the skin becomes all inflamed/itchy/flaky and its just very uncomfortable.

[scott]

my tweet http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/13322082045661184

[Andrea]

I use a hydrating cleanser and lotion daily that contains SPF in it.

[Andrea]

Tweet~
https://twitter.com/#!/simplyandreah/status/13350631167238145

[Lora Reynolds]

I wash my face every night and have been using Olay products for the last year. I use Olay cleanser, moisturizer and I love the anit-aging eye roller. I also take my vitamins and fish oil and drink lots of water.

[Lora Reynolds]

I posted the contest on my blog
http://reynoldsfoodforthought.blogspot.com/2010/12/olay-total-effects-cooling-hydration.html

[linda lansford]

I use lots of lotion