7 Ways To Better Look After Your Skin
Our skin is the thing that wraps up all the important stuff inside. But it isn’t like gift wrap, we’re always going to wear it, so keeping it healthy is paramount. These are 7 ways to better look after your skin.
Choose the Right Products
For being the number one defense between exterior threats like pathogens and infections, the skin is very delicate and should be treated gently. Washing our skin daily is important, as is moisturizing, but depending on the products, these routines can actually make it hard on your skin. A lot of the soaps that we use can dry out or irritate our hands, so choosing the right cleaner can be more important than choosing the right moisturizer.
A nonsoap cleanser is ideal, as it will retain the moisture barrier in your skin. After each wash, use a moisturizer that suits your skin type.
Look At Your Diet
There are correlations between what you eat and outbreaks occurring on your skin. Now, this isn’t a one and one makes two kind of equation. Different foods affect people differently, that’s why you have to pay attention to what you’re eating and how your skin’s responding (if it is). There’s certainly an association between diet and acne, but the connecting line isn’t clear.
Some researchers advise monitoring your dairy intake, especially if your a teenager and suffering from acne. Other research indicates that a diet rich in fish oil and low in unhealthy fats can result in younger looking skin.
Protect It From the Sun
This is an obvious one. Sun exposure can cause wrinkles and age spots, and also increase the risk of skin cancer.
Always apply sunscreen before going out during the day. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The sun is at its strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so be extra liberal with your helpings on sunscreen during those times, and ideally avoid the sun. Also, UV rays are just as potent when it’s cloudy, so it’s just as important to lather up then. Further, wear protective clothing and a hat. Conversely, it’s also smart to protect your skin when it’s cold.
You also need to watch your sun exposure indoors. UV rays can penetrate your windows at home, in the office, and in the car. To counteract this, since you’ll be moisturizing often anyway, make it a moisturizer with SPF.
Think About the Water
Showers tend to be better for the skin than baths, though both dehydrate the skin by removing oils. The trick is to use lukewarm water rather than hot and to limit your time spent showering. After you’ve showered, pat your skin dry as opposed to aggressively rubbing it. Softly blotting it ensures that some moisture will remain. Also, before you get to that make sure that you’re properly rinsed of any cleansing products you used.
Manage Stress
Stress can make your skin more sensitive. It increases the production of hormones in the body, like cortisol, which can make the skin oiler and inhibit its ability to fight off acne-causing bacteria. You can manage your stress by practising techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. Be practical and methodical with your workload and scale it back if need be.
Get Enough Sleep
The skin’s repair mechanisms come into effect during sleep. When your body’s sleep deprived, the stress causes it to release more adrenaline and cortisol. This can often lead to acne breakouts and other skin conditions. If you get the required amount of skin, your skin should look healthier and more radiant.
Drink Green Tea
Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties which can be soothing for the skin. There’s a compound in it that according to some research may help prevent collagen destruction which leads to wrinkles. It may also prevent DNA damage from sun exposure.
