Whether you’re neglecting to wash your face as often as you should or trying to convince yourself that SPF 5 is enough sunscreen protection, there are numerous skincare mistakes that we are all guilty of. Here are some tips for making sure your skin is as healthy as it can (and should) be.
Lifestyle Habits
Fortunately, there are many things you can change about your daily routine that can improve the health of your skin and won’t cost you any money at all. These include:
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Sleep: According to recent research, sleep deprivation is linked to increased signs of aging. Additionally, a lack of sleep reduces your skin’s ability to recover after sun damage.
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De-stress: Chronic stress makes your skin more sensitive and can trigger breakouts of acne and other skin problems. Taking steps to control and manage your stress can not only give you peace of mind, but also much healthier skin.
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Don’t smoke: Smoking is one of the number one contributors to wrinkles and makes your skin look much older than it is. This is because smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels that are found in the outermost layers of your skin, which decreases the blood flow and depletes the oxygen and nutrients that are important to the health of your skin.
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Exercise: Regular physical activity does more than improve your internal health—it improves your appearance as well. This is because exercises such as strength training and cardio will boost your circulation and improve your muscle tone, which tightens the skin over your entire body and results in overall younger-looking and healthier skin.
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Eat healthy: Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will help you to both look and feel your best.
Products You Need
While lifestyle habits will help your skin health, you will also need to take steps to wash your skin and take care of it. Make sure to buy skincare products that are specially formulated for your skin type—dry skin will not have the same needs as oily skin. Here are the most important skincare products you will need to use regularly:
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Gentle cleanser: You should wash your face both first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed with a gentle, pH-neutral, non-soap cleanser. The goal is to cleanse your face without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It also helps to wash your face using circular motions to stimulate blood flow and avoid scrubbing, which can be harsh on your skin.
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Mild exfoliant: Exfoliating is important because our skin sheds about 50 million dead skin cells every day. While mild exfoliating is recommended by dermatologists, but abrasive scrubs that contain rough granules are not. These can cause irritation, discoloration, and even scarring.
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Moisturizer: Even people with greasy skin need to make sure to regularly moisturize their skin. The key is to choose the right moisturizer for your skin type. If your skin tends to be on the oily side, choose a lighter lotion or serum. On the other hand, if your skin prone to dryness, you might want to lean more towards a heavy, cream-based product.
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Sunscreen: Sun damage is one of the worst things for your skin. The best way to prevent aging of your skin is to apply sunscreen that contains at least SPF 30 underneath your makeup every single day.
