Make skin care a priority with these tips
With all the skin care products lining store shelves, available online or offered from direct sellers, you may be wondering what’s really important for maintaining healthy looking skin.
In reality, skin care goes beyond having the right products in your cabinet. Your skin’s healthy look and feel depends on a holistic approach that nourishes your skin on the inside and out. Let’s take a look at the top ten golden rules for your skin care routine.
1. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen (Did we mention sunscreen?)
Don’t let the sun’s rays give you extra fine lines and wrinkles. Protect your skin from UVB/UVA exposure by limiting exposure and wearing protective clothing and sunscreen every day.
Start before you even walk out the door by choosing moisturizers, primers or foundations that include sunscreen. It’s best to use moisturizers, primers or foundations that include broad spectrum SPF 30 protection.
If you prefer a standalone SPF product, consider broad spectrum SPF 50 protection.
2. Get your beauty sleep
There is a reason it’s called beauty sleep. Lack of sleep leads to skin that looks dull and tired. Why? During deep sleep, your body enters repair mode, regenerating skin cells.
Plus, your body produces more collagen as you sleep, which is essential for healthy skin. Dermatologists say getting fewer than 6 hours of shut-eye each night could mean you are carrying around more fine lines, dark circles and puffiness than you would if you were getting enough sleep.
Sleep deprivation affects your mind and body.
3. Drink up: Your skin is thirsty
Getting adequate water is important for overall health—and that includes your skin. It helps keep your skin plump and hydrated and helps maintain skin elasticity, which reduces the look of pores. If you don’t get enough, your skin can turn dry, tight and flaky—and more prone to wrinkles.
Keep yours looking supple and fresh by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses daily. Is that something that you find challenging? There are plenty of strategies to make getting your daily water intake easier, including splurging on a cute new water bottle or using mix-ins to add flavor.
4. Eating healthy is great skin care
Give your skin a good foundation by eating a balanced diet with skin-supporting macro- and micronutrients.
Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and good-for-you fats help your skin look its best. And antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals from plant nutrients benefit your skin by combating free radicals.
Collagen consumption can also support skin health and elasticity. Get it through foods, such as bone broths, citrus fruits and shellfish.
5. Take supplements
In addition to drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet, you can support your skin’s health with supplements to fill any nutritional gaps. Vitamins C, D, E and K, omega 3 fatty acids and the minerals zinc and selenium all help support healthy skin.
We talked about getting collagen through foods, but it also comes in supplement form.
6. Don’t pick
Picking at blemishes can lead to permanent scarring. Leave blemishes be – they’ll heal better and you’ll have fewer unwanted marks later.
Plus, the simple act of touching your face can transfer anything that’s on your hands, like dirt, oil or bacteria, to your skin. No one wants that.
7. Exfoliate regularly
Regular exfoliation removes dead skin-cell buildup, reduces the appearance of pores and reveals fresh, new skin. It can also help prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
When you exfoliate, your skin looks smoother, behaves better and makeup goes on more easily, so make sure to do it at least once a week.
8. Cleanse your face morning and night
Speaking of cleansing, make it a twice-a-day ritual. Few of us are likely reluctant to wash our face in the mornings as part of our regular routine, but nighttime can be a different matter. Sometimes the days are so long and the nights seem so short you just want to crawl in bed, makeup and all.
But no matter how exhausted you are, do your face a favor by washing up before bed. Leaving on makeup can clog pores, irritate skin and generate unwanted bacteria on your pillow, among other negative effects.
9. Moisturize – and then some
Dry air from heating and cooling, the sun’s powerful rays and the wild winter winds – no matter what season it is, your skin is losing moisture. Help your skin stay supple year-round by moisturizing as part of your morning and evening skin care routines.
And that includes people with oily skin. Lightweight moisturizers are the key to all-day hydration that doesn’t leave your face with a telltale oily shine.
You can also alternate between richer, creamier moisturizers in the cooler months and thinner, more lightweight and dewy moisturizers in the warmer months.
10. Manage stress
Managing your stress can do more than clear your mind, it can help clear your skin, too. Stress can trigger skin sensitivity, irritation, acne and other skin problems that cause an imbalance.
When you’re stressed, your brain releases cortisol, which in turn increases oil production in the glands and leads to breakouts. (Skimping on sleep also raises cortisol levels as well as adds to your stress – it’s a vicious circle!)
Make sure you practice some stress management strategies—for your skin’s sake.
We can help you to analyze your skin health, identify your top skin concerns and helps you create a personalized skin care routine.