Got Skin? 11 Ways to Look Your Worst

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Sleep on your back. Walk in the shade. Don't drink from straws. Does this sound like skin care advice from the Victorian era? Maybe it is, but New York's top dermatologists say that even with all the technology available today, there's nothing like prevention for healthy, beautiful skin.

Mistake: We Use Straws

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Drinking cola and other pigmented beverages through a straw can protect teeth from staining. But over time, sucking on a straw can create fine lines around the mouth, says Dr. Michael Kane, a cosmetic surgeon in New York City.

"I have a lot of younger women - under 40 - with 'smoker's lines' who have never smoked."

Mistake: We Put Too Much Faith in Sunscreen

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"People think sun block is a panacea," says Dr. Michael Kane. "Yet sun avoidance is still the key."

Yes, the body needs some sun exposure to make vitamin D. But too much sun isn't great even if you use sunscreen. Sunbathing? Fugeddaboudit.

"Every time I see someone baking without sun protection, I can only envision the structural damage their skin is experiencing," says Dr. Tabasum Mir, a dermatologist in New York City.

We Don't Eat Enough Omega 3s

Omega 3 fatty acids help prevent wrinkles and prevent sun damage, but our bodies don't produce them. That's why it's a good idea to eat foods that contain them, such as fish, olive oil, vegetables and beans. So says New York dermatologist Dr. David Bank, the author of "Beautiful Skin: Every Woman's Guide to Looking her Best at Any Age."

Eating too much meat, sugars, and whole-milk products may contribute to more wrinkles.

Mistake: We Pick Our Zits

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Mom said not to, but we do it anyway.

"Many of the worst types of damage I see on skin are self-inflicted," says Dr. Tabasum Mir. "People have a tendency to want to pick at the first sign of a blemish. What they don't realize is that the bacteria lurk deep within, and pushing or picking can push the bacteria further into the face."

No matter how tempting, hands off the zit.

Mistake: We Wear Make-Up to Bed

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Wearing makeup to bed does more than make a mess of our pillowcases. It can cause acne. "Never sleep with makeup on your face, says Dr. Tabasum Mir. "Try diluting your make-up with a moisturizer," she says, to further keep from inflaming your skin.

Mistake: Medications Make Us Vulnerable

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Many medications increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, including acne medications, antihistamines, and even some pain medications. If your doctor prescribes a drug, ask whether sun sensitivity is a special concern.

Mistake: We Drink the Wrong Beverages

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Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, sucking the moisture from your skin. Drinking water keeps your skin moist. If you do consume alcohol, have a glass of water for each drink, says Dr. David Bank.

Mistake: We Smoke

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Heart disease and lung cancer aren't the only problems smoking can cause. Smoking also damages the DNA in skin cells and robs the body of vitamin C, which is essential for creating collagen.

Despite all the warnings about smoking, there are still 21 million women in the U.S. who light up, according to the American Heart Association.

Mistake: We Don't Exercise

Sure, it's hard to find time for yourself when you're juggling work, school and family responsibilities. But lack of exercise shows up in the skin as well as on the body, making it appear sallow and loose.

Mistake: We Use Benzoyl Peroxide:

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This old-school acne remedy is fine for teens, but too drying for mature skin. In any case, women often have so-called cystic acne, which doesn't respond well to benzoyl peroxide.

"The treatment for deeper cysts and nodules involves a warm or hot compress several times a day," says Dr. David Bank.

Mistake: We Sleep Face-Down

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Sleeping on your stomach or side can mean your face spends hours pressed against the pillow. That can create creases in your facial skin, and over time, these can turn into permanent wrinkles. Better to sleep on your back, says Dr. David Bank.