All of us deal with certain skin problems from time to time. Acne, dry or oily skin, fine lines, wrinkles, dark patches, and many other skin irregularities tend to drive us crazy. It becomes even more frustrating when things you do to eliminate them don’t even work.
Good news is that every skin problem is manageable and everyone can have smooth, radiant, and youthful skin. How? You don’t need treatments and products that cost a fortune, just follow these 11 useful tips for healthy skin in an entirely natural manner.
Beauty sleep isn’t a myth, but an important factor for the healthy and youthful skin. We tend to be sleep deprived because most of us spend our night’s binge-watching favorite TV shows, going out, and many other things. Sleep deprivation isn’t just bad for your health and productivity, but it’s also harmful to your skin.
A study from the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of intrinsic aging (natural aging process), diminished skin barrier function, and lower satisfaction with appearance. Establish a regular sleep pattern for optimal skin health.
Skin cancer isn’t the only consequence of long-term sun exposure. Sun’s harmful UV rays penetrate deep into your skin, induce oxidative stress, and break down collagen synthesis and elastin fibers. In turn, your skin becomes dry, lifeless, and starts sagging which leads to fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles.
An easy way to avoid all these problems is through regular use of sunscreen. Ideally, you should apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on face, neck, and ears about 20 to 30 minutes before you go out.
Wondering how to get rid of acne forever? You probably have a lot of products for acne-prone skin, but how often you change your face towel? The truth is we don’t change our face towels as often as we should, but it’s easy to correct this bad habit.
Using a dirty face towel day in and day out can harbor bacteria. Not only that, but dirty face towel can also introduce new bacteria to your skin as well as dirt and debris. This way, your pores get clogged and inflamed thus causing acne breakouts. Avoid this problem by changing your face towel regularly.
Both physical and online stores have a vast selection of cleansers, thus allowing you to find the perfect match for your skin. You can’t choose the first cleanser you see and make a purchase. Many skin irregularities tend to aggravate with the wrong cleanser.
Your face can become drier, oilier, more sensitive and acne-prone. Read the label and opt for the product formulated for your skin type. Also, if you have the dry or sensitive skin, you should avoid items that contain alcohol.
Do you drink enough water during the day? Most of us wait to feel thirsty to have some water, but by that time your body has already started experiencing some symptoms of dehydration.
Health benefits of drinking water are numerous starting from weight management to kidney function and energy levels or productivity at work. The International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that drinking 2l of water a day has a positive impact on skin physiology. Your skin becomes clear, vibrant, and youthful.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but the choice of foods matters. Instead of unhealthy breakfast that fills you up instantly and then you feel hungry soon after, you should opt for fiber-rich and nutritious meals that suppress your appetite while delivering important nutrients to your body, including skin.
In addition, you should introduce almonds to your breakfast menu. Why? They contain essential fatty acids which decrease inflammation that accelerates the appearance of signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, and blotchiness. You can experience same effects if you include other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet as well.
A common misconception is that the only sun can damage our skin, but many other sources of heat can cause similar damage. Winter is just around the corner and while you feel the urge to be close to the heater or fireplace that’s not such a great idea.
Any direct heat exposure to skin can cause inflammation, collagen breakdown, and dry complexion. Stay about ten feet away from a fireplace and heater to avoid these problems.
We can’t stop the natural aging process, but there’s a lot we can do to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to prevent new ones from developing. Your skin care routine is vital, and products you use can make or break your efforts.
Besides using the right cleanser, you should also moisturize twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Moisturizer for aging skin should be abundant in active ingredients, antioxidants, and vitamins that neutralize free radicals while nourishing your skin with much-needed nutrients to stay youthful and smooth.
The rise of Instagram “models” that look flawless while working out in the gym makes girls and women apply full makeup before heading to the gym. This is wrong on so many levels. First, sweat only ruins your makeup, and it can also lead to breakouts and lifeless complexion.
Sweat is released through visible pores in the skin, but when your face is covered with makeup sweat doesn’t make it to the surface. This leads to clogged pores and all problems that come with it.
Exfoliation eliminates all dead skin cells and other impurities that are stuck in your skin. Benefits of exfoliation are numerous including faster skin rejuvenation process, brighter complexion, radiant skin, youthful appearance, no acne, among others.
Choose an exfoliant that is pH neutral, so it doesn’t dry out your skin when exfoliating. Also, avoid exfoliating too often. Once or twice a week is enough. Over-exfoliating contributes to dryness and causes irritation, redness, and inflammation.
You use foundation, blush, and powder brushes every day but how often do you clean them? Dirty makeup brushes transfer bacteria and dirt onto our skin. As a result, you may experience infection, clogged pores, or you notice acne or zits popping out. It is needless to mention this habit makes skin appear older and dull.
Ideally, you should clean concealer and foundation/powder brushes every week, brushes you use around eyes need to be cleaned twice a month, while other brushes you may use require “maintenance” once a month.
Simple changes in your skincare routine or lifestyle habits can help improve skin health and appearance. It all comes down to your regular routine and products you use. Make sure you get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and be more mindful regarding things you apply to your face.
Sophie Addison is an enthusiast blogger and writer. She is very passionate about writing general health and fitness. She has posted articles on skincare problems, joint pain treatment, weight loss and woman’s health. Apart from work she likes gardening and listening to music. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.