The 9 Best Methods To Take Care Of Your Skin

Our lives are built on habits. From our morning coffee or tea to the side of the bed we sleep on, our routines shape our days and our bodies. While the term “habit” often has a negative connotation, we can also create habits that are beneficial to our health and the health of our skin. From exercise and diet to product choices, here are ten habits that can help you maintain healthy, beautiful skin. 

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1. Wash Your Face

Washing your face removes dirt, oils and bacteria that accumulate and make your pores appear larger. You should wash your face when you wake up to remove dirt and oils, and again before bed to remove makeup and grime from the day. You should also wash your face after you sweat or work out.

2. Get More Sleep

“Beauty Sleep” is a real thing. Our bodies need 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep every night to restore, rejuvenate and repair. It’s like visiting the fountain of youth every night, as our skin produces new collagen when we sleep. To maintain strong sleep hygiene, experts recommend a consistent sleep schedule and a cool (65℉), dark environment.

3. Breathe Clean Air

Heavy air pollution, cigarette smoke and artificial fragrances can harm our skin health, forming harmful free radicals and causing skin irritations. If you can’t avoid these, help repair your skin with nontoxic products. Use natural, organic face wash and products with antioxidants to help undo the damage polluted air does to your skin.

4. Use Antioxidants

Free radicals cause damage to our skin and bodies. They are generated by fried foods, alcohol and pesticides. However, antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, like natural superheroes. It’s important to eat foods with antioxidants such as dark chocolate, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and pecans. It is just as important to use skincare products that include antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Green Tea, Olive Leaf, Licorice Root, and Pomegranate.

5. Exfoliate Your Face

Look for gentle exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), which are found in natural fruit acids. Alpha hydroxy acids dissolve the skin’s natural “glue” that holds on to dead skin cells, gently removing them without scrubbing. Alpha hydroxy acids also act as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.

6. Exercise Regularly

Exercise helps increase blood flow, drawing oxygen into and free radicals away from the skin. Exercise also helps decrease stress and improve sleep quality. Make sure to wash your face after sweaty workouts.

7. Use A Moisturizer

Using a moisturizer every day is important for every skin type, whether it is dry, oily, mature, or acne prone. Proper moisturizing helps prevent dry, flaky skin and keeps skin cells performing at their best, preventing fine lines and wrinkles from forming.

8. Drink Water

Drinking water feeds the skin from the inside. Dehydrated skin can look dull, be itchy and dry and make lines more noticeable. It can also enhance dark areas around your eyes and nose. Alcohol and coffee dehydrate skin. Drinking plenty of water keeps skin hydrated and can give your skin a healthy glow. Eating fruits and vegetables, exercise and restful sleep can all help keep skin hydrated, too.

9. Wear Sunscreen

The sun causes the majority of aging for skin. Too much sun can cause serious skin damage, contributing to dehydration and forming harmful free radicals. Sunscreens provide essential protection from the sun’s harmful rays and should be worn when you are in the sun for long periods of time. You should also wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure.