Not everyone has the time and budget for intensive skin care. The good news is, basic skin care and healthy life choices can go a long way in preventing skin problems and delaying the natural aging process.
Here are five practical ways to keep your skin at its best.
Protect your skin from the sun
A lifetime of sun exposure can cause age spots (liver spots), wrinkles and an increased risk of skin cancer. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. If you must be outdoors, remember to wear protective clothing and sunglasses. Dermatologists also recommend using a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Do not smoke
Smoking speeds up the normal aging process, making your skin look older and contributing to unwanted wrinkles. Smoking exhausts the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to keeping your skin healthy. It is also known to damage the fibers (collagen and elastin) that give your skin its strength and elasticity.
Eat healthy
A healthy diet is the key to keeping not only your skin but your entire body radiant and healthy. Be sure to add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet to keep your skin supple and younger-looking. Check out our list of top ten food for healthy skin here.
Keep your personal hygiene in check
Keep your skin healthy by washing or bathing daily. Avoid taking long hot showers because to avoid stripping your skin of essential oils and moisture. Use mild cleansers and stay away from strong soaps. Wash your face twice day and after sweating (after playing sports or working out). Face washing at night removes dirt, makeup and pollutants that have collected on your skin all throughout the day. After washing, remember to use a moisturizer best fits your skin type.
Manage your stress
Our emotions can affect how we look. Stress can manifest itself on one’s appearance in many ways, but largely by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive to outside factors. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stress can exacerbate psoriasis or rosacea, result in acne lesions that are more inflamed and persistent, lead to hair loss, worsen or cause hives, and even induce excessive perspiration.
Good skin care can keep your skin and complexion healthy. If you’ve got questions about your skin condition, be sure to discuss it with a dermatologist right away.
