Caring for your skin might seem as though it’s just about buying the latest creams and lotions and remembering to use them, or hopping on the latest skincare trends you see on social media, but it’s not that – at least, it’s not just that. What it’s really all about is developing healthy habits that are going to mean you can care for your skin for the long term, not just in the here and now. If you want to know what some of those habits are, keep reading for some useful information.
Prioritize Hydration
When it comes to keeping your skin healthy, hydration has to go at the top of the list – it’s absolutely essential. Drinking enough water every day helps to keep your skin more elastic and it minimizes dryness, plus it can even delay the appearance of fine lines, which is sure to be something you’ll be happy about. And it’s not just about getting enough water inside your body either; you can also add moisture outside using properly designed products that hold onto moisture so your skin can take advantage of it.
When you’re shopping for skincare products, look for the ones that have ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides – they all work wonders when it comes to boosting hydration levels, so they’re the perfect things you’ll need.
A bonus top for anyone living in a dry climate or working in a place with air conditioning is to invest in a humidifier – they don’t have to take up a lot of space, but they’ll give your skin a plump, healthy, well-moisturized look that’s hard to beat.
Build A Good Routine
A good skincare routine doesn’t have to be long-winded with lots of steps – in fact, it’s better if it’s as simple and easy as possible because then you’ll be able to fit it into your day and you won’t forget anything, meaning you’ll have the best chance of improving your skin’s health and look every day.
If you’re not sure where to start, start with the essentials like a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer that suits your skin type, and a sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 for protection every time you go outside (remember, even if it’s not sunny, the sun’s rays can still reach you and damage your skin).
As you get older or if you develop specific skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, for example, you might need to adjust your routine to keep your skin looking its best – it might be that adding a biologic for atopic dermatitis is the right thing to do, for example, and if you think that’s the case, it can be wise to speak to a dermatologist to be sure and to get the right treatment for you.
Know Your Skin’s Needs
As we mentioned above, your skin is going to change as you get older, but other things can also affect it, like your lifestyle, the seasons, and skin conditions, as well as much more. That’s why it’s essential to stay up to date with your skin’s needs and to know what you might need to change as the year (or years) goes by. For example, if you notice that your skin feels a lot drier in winter, add a different moisturizer to your routine at that time of year, and if your skin gets oilier in the summer, use lighter products during the season that won’t clog up your pores and make the situation worse.
Skin aging, hormonal changes, and even exposure to pollution can change your skin’s needs over time, and if you can be as flexible and adaptable as possible with your skincare routine, you’ll find your skin looks good no matter what else is happening or what the seasons might be. Plus, it can be fun to experiment with your various options to find the right solution, so you might even enjoy the process (and even if you don’t, you’ll enjoy the results).
Feed Your Skin
Your diet is as important for your skin as it is for pretty much every other part of your body and brain, and having a balanced diet can go a long way to improving your skin’s health, so it’s definitely something worth looking into if it’s not what you already do as part of your daily routine.
Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, and nuts, can all help to fight against free radicals which are what causes (or at least contributes) to aging. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids which are found in oily fish like salmon can help to keep your skin hydrated and more elastic. Adding these things to your diet can therefore really help when it comes to how healthy your skin is, but although that’s a good start, sometimes it’s not about what you eat but about what you don’t eat that’s really going to help.
If your diet is full of processed food and sugar right now, not only is that bad for your overall health, but it’s going to make a negative difference in your skin too and you might find your skin is inflamed or you get lots of acne, or perhaps dry or oily skin when you least expect it. At the very least, your skin will look dull and unhealthy if your diet is a poor one, which is why it’s best to avoid these foods at all times.
If you find it hard to get a balanced diet for any reason, why not add some supplements to your daily routine? You could have things like vitamin C, E, and A because they’re all known to help with skin health, and in supplement form they’re an easy thing to remember to include in your daily life.
Sleep And Exercise
Sleep can do wonders for your health in all ways, and that’s true when it comes to your skin as well – beauty sleep isn’t a myth! The fact is that sleep allows your skin to repair itself, and if you can get around 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep each night, you’ll see reduced dark circles, less puffiness, and your skin will look better in general.
Then there’s exercise. When you exercise, you boost blood circulation which means more oxygen and nutrients reach your skin cells, plus you’ll be able to release toxins which also keeps your complexion nice and clear – and since exercise is good for your health overall, it’s well worth finding a little time in your routine to do it.
