Everyone wants to have healthy, glowing skin – but how do you achieve it?
Achieving healthy, glowing skin doesn’t require an intensive skincare routine. It doesn’t even necessitate buying expensive products or treatments. Making some small changes to your routine can have a significant impact on your skin. For instance, making sure that you have a good skincare routine – including gentle cleansing and applying sunscreen – can make a big difference. Leading a healthy lifestyle can also help prevent different skin problems and delay natural aging.
Don’t know where to start? Pamper your skin with these expert skincare tips.
1. Always apply sunscreen.
The single most important tip to achieve healthy, glowing skin is to apply sunscreen every single day. Applying sunscreen every day provides your skin with much-needed protection from sun spots, wrinkles, and other skin problems – as well as decreases your risk of skin cancer.
To protect yourself from the sun, here are some other important reminders:
- Check the SPF. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen generously; not just on your face, but on all exposed areas of skin every single day. Reapply every two hours – or more if you are perspiring or swimming.
- Wear protective clothing. Keep your skin covered with wide-brimmed hats, long- sleeved shirts, and long pants. Or, you can opt to wear special sun-protective clothes which are specially designed to block UV rays.
- Stay in the shade whenever possible. As much as possible, stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
2. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can help you feel and look great. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, fatty fish, and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables – such as strawberries, spinach, oranges, kale, sweet potatoes, and broccoli – contain powerful antioxidants that help protect the skin from the cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Fatty fish, such as mackerel and salmon, are also excellent foods for healthy skin. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can keep the skin supple, thick, and moisturized. Make sure to drink plenty of water as well to keep your skin hydrated!
3. Don’t smoke.
You already know that smoking is bad for your health – but did you know that it’s bad for your skin too? Smoking contributes to the formation of wrinkles and can make your skin look older. Smoking also depletes the skin of nutrients and oxygen that are important to skin health.
Moreover, smoking can damage elastin and collagen, the fibers that give your skin its elasticity and strength. The repetitive facial expressions that you make when smoking (i.e. pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to avoid smoke) can also contribute to fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Manage stress.
In today’s fast-paced and busy world, some stress can’t be avoided. However, you should make an effort to control your stress levels. Uncontrolled stress can trigger acne breakouts, make your skin more sensitive, and can lead to other skin problems.
To encourage healthy and glowing skin, take steps to manage your stress. Get enough rest and sleep. Scale back your daily to-do list. Set reasonable limits for yourself. Make time to do things that you enjoy. Managing stress doesn’t just help your skin, it can have a positive impact on your overall well-being too.
5. Know your skin.
Above all else, you must know your own skin. Remember, what works for someone else may not always be the best for you. For instance, if your skin tends to be sensitive or dry, you may need to prioritize moisturizing over exfoliation to achieve a healthy glow. On the other hand, if your skin tends to be oily, gentle exfoliation may be the solution for you.
Knowing your skin will help you find the right products to achieve healthy, glowing skin. And if you don’t know where to start or if you are frustrated by a lack of results, talk to a dermatologist for expert guidance.
The Bottom Line
Achieving healthy, glowing skin doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Making sure that you’re getting enough sleep, avoiding smoking, applying sunscreen every day, managing your stress levels, and knowing your skin type – all of these are important steps to keep your skin healthy and glowing.