(Almost) Instant Antidote to Drab Skin

We know that sleep, eating well, regular exercise and consistently following a good, anti-aging skincare regimen keep skin looking healthy and radiant during winter's sun-deficient days. But who’s disciplined all the time? (If you are, congrats. You can stop reading now.) For the rest of us, when life gets in the way and we slack off, it helps to have a backup plan.

Mine is Vita Liberata’s Self-Tanning Anti-Age Serum. When my skin looks sallow, I mix two drops of the serum in with Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46, and repeat every morning for about a week. By day three, I resemble someone who drinks green smoothies for breakfast; by week's end, I look like someone who sleeps more than six hours a night. Not tan, just glowy. Note: Mixing the serum with my sunscreen dilutes the DHA (self-tanner’s active ingredient) a bit so the result is pretty subtle, which is my goal. If you want more color, you can, of course, smooth on the serum straight up.

Finally, the formula also boasts some anti-aging benefits, like boosting collagen production to make skin firmer. This is a nice bonus, but don’t kid yourself; you aren’t applying enough to radically change your complexion. Think of these anti-aging ingredients as compliments to your regular regimen, not replacements for it. The real goal here? To look alive again.