Your skin is your body’s coat of armor. It is part and parcel of the system that helps keep your body functioning and safe. It is of great importance to your well-being and looking after your skin is as vital as looking after the rest of your body. That is not to say that you need to have an intensive skincare regime that sees you standing in front of the mirror for hours on end. Or that you need to spend fortunes on expensive products. Rather, there are steps you can take and things you can do in your everyday life to help you take better care of your skin. Here are some of the tried and tested methods that you can implement to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
Know your skin type
When it comes to your skin it is likely to fall into a ‘type’ and dermatologists up and down the country will tell you how important it is to ensure that you are fully aware of your skin type. This will then allow you to choose the best products for your skin. If you are using products that are not right for your skin type, it may be ineffective and could aggravate existing conditions, such as acne or dryness.
The type of skin you have depends on the amount of water and oil in your skin and any imbalance could cause your skin to suffer. Here are some of the most common skin types and how you can best treat them;
- Oily skin is often prone to acne or breakouts and your skin could appear shiny. If you have oily or greasy skin then you should opt for oil-free products to help rebalance the oil levels on your skin.
- Another common skin type is dry skin, which is a result of insufficient water in the skin. Dry skin can feel tight and itchy and may appear flaky. It can even result in fine lines appearing. If you suffer from dry skin then choosing water-based products is the best way to help add moisture to your skin.
- Combination skin is as suggested a combination of both dry and oily skin. Typically speaking some areas of the face will be dry and others oily. Again, there will be products specifically designed for combination skin.
- People who have sensitive skin should always be mindful when choosing skincare products. If you have sensitive skin then it is best to stay away from fragranced creams as this can aggravate sensitive skin. Always choose skin care products designed for sensitive skin and stay away from heavily scented or colored creams.
- Acne-prone skin can be stressful and upsetting. If you have acne-prone skin then it is a good idea to first understand the common acne types. Once you have identified the type of acne you have you will be able to take action to best manage and treat it. There are lots of ways you can combat acne. It is just a case of identifying the most effective for your skin type.
Once you have identified your skin type you can then choose the best cleaners, serum, and moisturizer to compliment your skin and help keep it looking its best.
Sunscreen
Together with your daily moisturizer, you should be applying a high-factor sunscreen every day. At least a factor 15, however the higher the better. This is the case even in winter and cloudy skies. Further, you should be using purpose-made sunscreen, the SPF protection in your moisturizer or make-up is not enough. Sunscreen is the best defense you can give your skin when exposed to the sun’s harmful rays every day. It can help prevent hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, burns, and of course skin cancer. Don’t forget, however, that the best protection is to avoid the sun in the first place.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is one of the fastest ways to age your skin and bring about wrinkles. Smoking will narrow the blood vessels, which decreases blood flow and makes skin pale. This will also reduce the oxygen in the skin which will adversely affect your skin health. Smoking is incredibly harmful to your health and wellbeing and your skin will suffer as a result.
Drink lots of water
If smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your skin’s health then drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do. Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day is a phenomenal health benefit for your overall health and importantly, your skin. Water will help flush out the toxins in your body and help keep your skin looking naturally clearer, fresher, and plumper. Drinking water is one of the most cost-effective and beneficial steps you can take for your skin health.
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is another step you can take that will benefit both your skin and overall health. Not to mention it will leave you feeling better too. Ensure your diet contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It is also good practice to limit sugary, processed, or high-fat foods as these can contribute to blocking pores and resulting in breakouts on the skin.
Vitamins are not just for your diet
While eating a diet that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals is important, it is not the only way you can give your skin more vitamins. Vitamins can also be found in skin care products and these can help nourish the skin, vitamin C serum is one such example that can be hugely beneficial to the skin when forming part of your skincare regime
Limit how much you touch your face
You probably do not even realize you are doing it but the more you touch your face the higher the likelihood that you are spreading bacteria which can contribute to causing breakouts. When you think about what your hands have been touching and the germs they could be picking up the last thing you want to do is spread these to your face.
Keep your makeup brushes clean
Do you use your makeup brushes daily? If so, how often do you clean them? Failure to clean brushes that are subject to repeated use and lead to skin infections and clogged pores. This is especially true if you are using brushes around the eyes following an eye infection. It is recommended that brushes are cleaned at least once a month to ensure the best hygiene standard.
To clean your brushes you can apply a small amount of shampoo to the brush and massage the bristles in a circular motion into your palm. As you do this you should make the makeup run from the brushes. Keep going until the water runs clear and the brushes are looking clean. Allow your brushes to dry overnight and then they will be ready to use the next day. This will also help to preserve the longevity and lifespan of your brushes.
Smart sleeping
Finally, how you sleep is another contributing factor to looking after your skin. Firstly you want to ensure you are getting enough sleep and insufficient amounts will leave your skin looking and feeling tired. You should also ensure that your pillowcase is washed weekly and any eye masks you might wear. If you have long hair be sure to tie it back or that it is clean if it is likely to be touching your face throughout the night. This will help to prevent oil from building up on the skin and keep breakouts at bay.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful and something you can put to use in your daily life!
