As the body's largest organ, not only is good skin an indication of good physical health but the way it looks can also massively affect our self esteem. We all know how awful it is to wake up on a 'bad skin day' and how it impacts the way we feel about ourselves. While we're always probably going to get the odd spot here and there, blackheads or occasional puffy eyes, if you take care of your skin on a daily basis you'll prevent premature aging and look gorgeous and glowing the majority of the time. Here are five top tips for healthy skin, hopefully they give you some ideas about where to start if you're new to skincare (or refresh your memory if you're not!)
Stick to a Skincare Routine
Are you guilty of sleeping in your makeup or just using face wipes (which only remove the top later of makeup?) Do you use any old face wash, shower gel or body moisturiser without looking if the formula is suitable for your needs? If your skin care routine is a bit of a car crash then it's time to put that right. Work out whether you have dry, oily or combination skin- there are plenty of articles online which explain how to do this. It's always worth knowing as then you can look for products that are designed with your skin type in mind. Your basic skincare stash could include a face wash, exfoliator, day and night creams and an eye cream. A good makeup remover is a worthy addition too, micellar water is particularly good and makes light work of stubborn makeup.
Protect From The Sun
UV rays aren't just a problem in the summer, while you're more likely to get burned in the summer they're damaging to the skin all year round. The dangers of UV damage include premature aging, loss of elasticity and of course the scariest issue- skin cancer. Most people don't do anything about protecting from the sun, especially when it's not warm. But there are so many products that make it easy, you don't have to reach for sunscreen every day. Go with a moisturiser or BB cream with SPF included, since you'll probably be wearing these kinds of products anyway you can kill two birds with one stone.
Don't Smoke
Smoking is truly one of the most damaging things you can do to your skin. If you smoke, quitting or at least cutting down is beneficial for your skin and every other part of your body for that matter. Smoking causes premature aging (especially under the eyes and around the lips) and a sallow complexion with a loss of natural glow. It also causes a depletion in vitamin c which makes the skin more susceptible to UV damage, this happens due to a constriction of blood flow meaning smoking literally starves the skin of oxygen.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
It's no secret that you put into your body has a huge impact on your skin. When you eat a healthy and varied diet and balanced diet, you provide your body with everything it needs to thrive. This will help keep skin supple and looking radiant. The wrong things on the other hand will do the complete opposite- you've probably noticed that after a night of alcohol or a few days of eating the wrong foods that your skin will be looking far from its best. While these kinds of celebration occasion where we indulge are always going to crop up, living a healthy lifestyle for the majority of the time will keep skin at its best. As well as eating the right things, exercise and getting enough sleep also play a crucial role.
Keep Checks on your Psychological Wellbeing
Did you know that stress and anxiety can have a negative effect on your skin? This happens for a number of readsons. First of all, stress can aggravate issues such as cold sores, rosacea, psoriasis and acne causing them to flare up. Secondly stress has been shown to impair skin barrier function, what this results in dehydrated skin which is of course more prone to irritants and pollutants. These can cause infection and leave skin looking and feeling sore. Finally when you're under stress, chances are your skincare routine is the last thing on your mind. This means that any problems not being looked after will get worse. Dry skin can become sore and flaky, oily skin can cause spots and blackheads etc. Being stressed can cause havoc on your entire body but the skin is one of the places that you will first notice physical changes. Keep your stress levels under control for happier, healthier skin.
