Skin care can seem complex, but it can also be a lot of fun. You don’t need to resort to expensive medicines and creams to keep your face looking fresh. There are plenty of natural and fun ways to stay beautiful. The key is to have a routine that works for you and your skin type.
Hydrating!
Not only is water essential for life, but it is also required for healthy skin. We often forget that our skin is the largest organ in the human body. The cells in our skin are made up of water. Without water, the skin to won’t work as it should. Not drinking enough water can cause you to have dry and eventually wrinkly skin. So drink up!
Best foods for your face
The right foods can be game changers for your skin. That means eating a balanced diet. Here are a few quick tips:
• Fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies. Tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, apricots, broccoli and sweet potatoes are especially great choices because they are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants guard the skin from free radicals and harmful sun rays. This will help prevent wrinkles and keep skin looking younger longer. Vegetables that are red, orange and deep green are particularly powerful.
• Eat a wide variety of fruits.
• Don’t forget omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish, spinach flaxseed, walnuts and soy. These fatty acids can preserve the collagen in your skin and keep it firm.
• Fruits, veggies and even chocolate are great sources of antioxidants and vitamins. These nutrients make skin look young and radiant and offer protection from the sun.
Worst foods for your face
Unhealthy foods affect more than your waistline — they also can take a toll on your skin.
• “Overly salty or sugary foods are the enemy,” says Jessica Wu, MD, author of Feed Your Face. Simple sugars and carbs may cause inflammation of the skin.
• Although milk is a wholesome drink that is an encouraged part of your diet, it has also been linked to acne. Instead, try eating yogurt.
• Food that is cooked at high temperatures, such as fried food, may cause a chemical reaction that can make skin look older and more wrinkled.
Wash your face morning and night
Wash your face once in the morning and again in the evening. You may need to add a step at the end of the day solely dedicated to removing makeup before washing the face. Not all soaps can remove makeup easily. Doctors suggest limiting face washing to about twice a day. Washing too many times a day can dry and irritate skin. Once you are finished, pat dry, don’t rub.
Moisturize
When your skin goes through the aging process, it may become dry. The winter seasons can also be tough on skin, so make sure to protect it from the harsh cold. If you have dry skin, try moisturizing with natural products or even experimenting with homemade ingredients. While moisturizing, don’t forget your neck! The skin on your neck is often one of the first places to show signs of aging.
Sunshine
Too much of anything can be a bad thing, and that’s definitely true for the sun. Your skin needs some vitamin D, but make sure not to over do it, especially during the summer season. Always wear sun protection, even if it is cloudy. Try to avoid the peak UV times. You can always check your local weather network to check for UV levels for the day. If you don’t want to use a bunch of sunscreen, try wearing a hat!
Scrub, but not on your face
Say “adios” to dead skin cells. Body scrubs made of sugars are great exfoliants, and they can be used to remove dead skin from the surface of your skin. After a body scrub, your younger skin cells will be revealed to their glowing and younger-looking state.
Don’t turn the shower on too hot
Hot water in the shower can cause dry skin and even dandruff. Long hot showers can rid the skin of the natural oils it needs, causing dryness. Your showers should stay near warmer temperatures. Consider applying lotion after you are finished.
Exercise
Exercise has health benefits for nearly every part of the body, even the skin. A regular workout routine can improve the skin because, during an exercise, your blood is pumping oxygen-rich blood to the skin. The skin uses this nutrient-rich blood to replenish itself by producing more collagen. Collagen is what keeps skin looking smooth and plump. Natural oils, which moisturize the skin, also are produced when sweating. Sweating can even help unclog pores. Shower after a workout to remove toxins, dead skin and bacteria.
Get plenty of sleep
A lack of sleep robs the skin of its natural beauty. Many processes important to your skin happen while you sleep. Not enough sleep may trigger an increase in inflammatory cells. This causes a breakdown of collagen (that magical stuff that makes you look young) and hyaluronic acid. Both of these substances are needed if you want to have a morning glow. And how about the dark circles under your eyes and wrinkles? Both may be caused by your body not having enough time asleep to rebalance its hydration levels. Another thing that happens when you are asleep is the production of new hormones. These hormones, among other things, repair damaged cells. Without these new hormones, you may begin to show signs of early aging. A lack of sleep can also worsen preexisting immune-related issues such as psoriasis and eczema.
Talk to your dermatologist
When in doubt, talk to the pros. A certified dermatologist should be able to help you if you have any complications or concerns with your skin. People with a skin condition such as psoriasis, eczema or skin cancer should especially seek the care of a dermatologist.
Source: Daily Rx
