You may have great skin now that you’re still young, but there’s no stopping aging. A lot of people wish there’s one magic cream to instantly achieve a youthful, glamorous skin. But since that’s not possible, there are a lot of habits and behaviors you can change so you can maintain your soft, smooth and healthy skin. Here are some useful tips:
1. Be mindful of your liquid intake
You need to be conscious of what your body takes in to keep it beautiful on the outside. When dehydrated, your bodily functions are affected. When it comes to the skin, it can look flaky, dull, saggy and loose. To make sure you’re receiving the proper amount of water, drink 8-10 glasses daily, specifically purified spring or reverse osmosis water. Green tea and other herbal teas also contain restorative antioxidants that can help keep your skin smooth and prevent premature aging. They can also act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
2. Eat antioxidant-rich foods and healthy fats
First of all, you need to consume a healthy diet to keep your whole body healthy. A healthy diet not only affects your internal body but also translates to the surface of your skin. Antioxidant-rich foods are the best resources to neutralize free radicals that damage our cells, as well as our skin cells. These types of food can also fight diseases by reducing inflammation, which is the leading cause of wrinkles. Start munching on more berries, spinach, grapes, dark chocolate, and pomegranates. Foods that are rich in healthy fatty acids are also important to keep your skin looking glam. Incorporate nuts, fish, olive oil, flax seeds and avocados in your diet.
3. Avoid salty foods
Skip the chips and salsa, as well as other processed foods, if you want to retain moisture in your body and decrease cellulite. The more fat there is in the food, the more likely it is to push through the connective tissue and form cellulite. So, lower your sodium intake and avoid low-nutrient diets as much as possible.
4. Cleanse your body
Drinking natural juice cleanse is recommended for the body to eliminate the build-up of toxins in the body due to the air and food-and-drink intake, which causes damage to the body and produces symptoms of aging. This helps the body focus on energy production and promote proper body functions. It’s great if you’re a glam girl who likes the occasional party and drinking with friends or indulging on your favorite foods. There is a lot of juice cleanse recipes and detox kits you can find online, but you can start drinking a glass of water with squeezed lemon every morning you wake up.
You’ll feel extra glamorous with every juice cleanse!
5. De-stress and be active
Stress is one of the major causes of skin aging. Engage in activities that relieve stress, such as meditation and yoga. Hit the gym or have regular exercise, since sweating and moving around increases circulation of oxygen throughout the body and releases body toxins. These activities can help you achieve clearer and firmer skin.
6. Get enough sleep
Hitting the sack is called beauty sleep for a reason. Your skin rejuvenates and repairs the cells while you are asleep. When you are sleep deprived, your blood circulation lowers, making you look pale and washed-out. Seven hours of quality sleep is best for your skin. Many women are also trying hemp and CBD oils to help de-stress and relieve anxieties throughout the day as part of their mental wellness routines.
7. Wear sunscreen
Even on non-beach days, slather on the sunscreen to prolong your healthy, glamorous skin. You need vitamin D from the sun, but too much sun exposure causes wrinkles and other skin damage. Pick a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on a daily basis; a higher SPF adds more insurance. Look for a formula that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. After showering, apply sunscreen on your arms, tops of your feet, the back of your hands, hairline, neck ears and earlobes.
8. Moisturize daily
Give moisture to your body from head to toe every day. A glamorous skin is soft skin, and moisture is the key. Start by choosing a moisturizing soap or body wash or shower gel to use during your shower or bath. Exfoliate afterward or use a body polish. After showering and toweling off, apply moisturizer on your face while it is still damp to lock in moisture more effectively.
Look for a trusted brand and the price point that you will feel comfortable using regularly. If irritation and breakout occur, immediately discontinue using your moisturizer because you’re using something that is not right for your skin type. If your skin is dry, use a thick cream with glycerin or hyaluronic acid to draw in water. If you easily experience breakouts, pick a non-comedogenic gel or lotion instead of cream. If you have sensitive skin, stay away from those that contain fragrance. If you have oily skin, you may think that you don’t need a moisturizer, but dear, you still do; an oil-free lotion is for you. Once you have chosen a moisturizer that works for you, use it daily for better results.
9. Exfoliate
Pores look big when clogged with dirt, oil and dead skin cells, and enlarged pores are one of the most common skin complaints. Once you remove these elements, and your pores seem to shrink. To clear them, use an exfoliating cleanser that contains around 0.5 to 1 percent salicylic acid. Avoid using harsh exfoliators as these may chafe the skin, so it’s more preferable to use exfoliators made from natural ingredients. Better yet, make a DIY scrub that will best suit your skin needs.
10. Use serum and retinol
If your skin needs an extra boost, start applying serum to your freshly washed skin before using moisturizer or sunscreen. It has more concentrated ingredients as compared to cream and lotion, and you only need a small amount daily to see results. Serums with antioxidants and penta-peptides will help clear the skin against free radicals and boost collagen, which gives the skin a youthful appearance. To moisturize dry skin, look for a serum with hyaluronic acid. To help fade dark spots, use a serum with soy. To keep the skin firm and smoothen outlines, try serums with retinol or peptides.
Speaking of retinol, it’s an ingredient found in creams and moisturizers that can boost collagen production and help skin cell turnover. It’s the ultimate anti-aging product that can reverse sun damage and even abnormal and cancerous growths on the skin. It’s an anti-inflammatory agent that can also help fade dark spots.
11. Always remove make-up before bed
After a night of glamour or a typical workday, you must always, always remove your make-up before you sleep. Leaving make-up on clogs pores with dirt and causes skin dryness. A lot of makeup products contains a sugar-type of a molecule that can develop as yeast overnight, and eye makeup (when not removed overnight) may cause bumpy rashes around the eyes. Yikes! Use a gentle, oil-free makeup remover or cleanser to remove everything away, leaving you with clear skin.
12. Clean the things that touch your face
Your skin problems are sometimes caused by the things that touch it. If you experience acne breakouts, you may be tempted to touch it every once in a while, but that will only make your problem worse. Remember that your hands are not clean all the time, so keep your hands off to make healing faster. Better yet, always wash your hands if you can’t bear to not touch your face.
Clean your makeup brushes and sponges regularly. A lot of women don’t do this, but you need it to prevent dirt and other harmful elements from infesting in your skin. Wash sponges/brushes used to apply foundation once a week, and loose powder brushes every two to three weeks.
Also, don’t forget about your phone. It’s more germ-infested than you think. When you take calls and place your phone by your cheek, all those germs land right there and in your jawline. These can cause breakouts and irritation. Always wipe your phone with antibacterial wipes.