So many skin care products are available in the market, but nothing can rival the effectiveness of a good skincare routine.
An effective skincare routine doesn’t include tons of expensive skincare products, rather, it depends on adopting habits that help your skin from within. This also includes stress management which is frequently ignored.
If you’re struggling with high levels of stress and anxiety, health2delivery can help you seek professional care with just a click. It’s an online platform where mental health experts are available to provide you with professional help and support. Learn to manage your stress and take control of your mental health to get beautiful and glowing skin.
Below are 10 practical habits that can help you achieve a fresh and youthful look within a short period if you make them a part of your lifestyle.
1. Have adequate sleep
The importance of a good night’s sleep can’t be stressed enough. You require 7-8 hours of sleep every night for a healthy mind and body, including your skin.
Prolonged sleep aids skin regeneration. It helps the skin to rejuvenate by repairing damaged skin cells and replacing the dead skin layer with a new one.
On the other hand, lack of sleep is associated with many skin problems, including dark circles, pigmentation, eczema, psoriasis, and skin aging.
2. Eat a healthy diet
Your skin tends to be a reflection of your diet. A nutritious diet provides all the nutrients necessary for healthy and glowing skin.
Eat more fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a vital role in:
- Preventing skin infections and other diseases.
- Speeding up the body’s regeneration and healing process.
- Improving the skin texture and overall complexion.
Your skin needs other essential nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, omega-3 fatty acids, mono and polyunsaturated fats, selenium, and zinc.
3. Keep yourself hydrated
More than 75% of our body is made up of water. This means that drinking enough water is the ultimate skincare hack. Water plays a dynamic role in the body’s various fundamental processes, including hormonal balance, blood circulation, regeneration, and purification.
When you’re properly hydrated, your skin looks youthful and healthy. Drinking 3-4 liters of water daily helps your skin heal and repair itself faster, thus, reducing open pores, blemishes, pigmentation, and may even reverse aging symptoms.
4. Exercise regularly
Do exercise if you want a youthful look. Exercise improves blood circulation in your body. This means that your cells receive all the essential nutrients they need to be healthy. Additionally, exercise also helps remove toxins from your body, giving your skin a healthy complexion.
However, if you have an inflammatory condition such as eczema and psoriasis, you should avoid working out in the heat. Also, avoid swimming as a workout because the chlorine in the water may exacerbate the inflammation.
5. Cleanse twice a day
Make a habit to cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser twice a day. Cleansing helps to remove the:
- Dust and dirt accumulated throughout the day.
- Excessive sebum that clogs your pores.
- Sweat
You should also cleanse your face after removing the makeup. Makeup products contain highly reactive free radicals that damage the collagen in your skin, causing fine lines, wrinkles, and a patchy texture.
6. Exfoliate
Occasionally, use a good scrub or exfoliator to have a glowing and healthy complexion. Exfoliation helps to deep cleanse your skin by removing the dead skin cells and residues. It’s also effective in reducing whiteheads and blackheads.
For oily skin, exfoliate 4-5 times a week. People with normal skin should exfoliate 2-3 times a week. If you have dry skin, exfoliate only once a week.
7. Use a good moisturizer
Using a moisturizer is an essential part of skincare. Since your skin is the most exposed part of your body, it loses its moisture to the environment. Therefore, moisturizing helps to hydrate the skin by restoring the moisture and natural oils, particularly after cleansing, exfoliating, or toning. A well-moisturized skin is smooth, soft, radiant, and appears more youthful.
8. Apply sunscreen daily
Sunscreen is an essential step of a skincare routine. Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. These rays are known to cause a variety of skin problems, including wrinkles, discoloration, sagging, skin aging, and even skin cancer. Therefore, always apply sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher before going out.
9. Get enough sunlight
Your skin synthesizes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. Vitamin D is not only vital for your bones, but your muscles also need it, including your skin. In addition, this sunlight vitamin helps produce collagen, which improves skin elasticity.
Therefore, spend some time in the sunlight to get that sun-kissed complexion. Of course, the best sunshine for your body is the cool daylight that comes right after sunrise.
10. Take care of your mental health
This aspect of skincare is usually neglected. According to a group of dermatologists, prolonged stress is directly linked to skin aging and frequent breakouts.
Poor mental health weakens your immune system and causes hormonal imbalance resulting in skin inflammation, acne breakouts, poor skin texture, and unhealthy complexion.
Therefore, it’s essential to look after your mental health and seek professional help if it gets overwhelming.
