Our skin is considered to be the largest organ in the human body, but most people take it for granted. Neglecting skin care will cause you to age prematurely and expose you to adverse skin conditions. Fortunately, there are a few simple practices you can follow that will help you maintain youthful and healthier skin for longer.
Eat a Good Diet
Few people realize the important role that food plays in maintaining good skin health. This goes beyond fixing a poor diet. Even if you eliminate sugar, saturated fat, and greasy foods from your diet, you still won’t be doing enough for your skin. You should think more about which foods will give your skin the nutrients it needs to thrive. Just like the other cells throughout your body, your skin cells need specific vitamins and compounds to stay healthy and strong. In addition to eating foods rich in vitamins C and D, you should also eat foods that will help your body generate more collagen. These foods include nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean meat. In fact, any natural foods that contain copper, lysine, zinc, and magnesium will help to boost your collagen production. Don’t forget to add more drinking water to your routine to help keep your skin hydrated.
Alleviate Stress
Don’t ignore your stress or get into the habit of thinking that relieving stress isn’t really that important. While stress may not cause physical pain, it will adversely affect the organs and systems throughout your body. When it comes to your skin, high levels of stress hormones promote the production of oil in the glands in your skin. While some oil production is good for your skin, the overproduction caused by stress will clog your pores. This prevents your pores from releasing sweat and debris. As a result, your skin can become red and inflamed. Relieve stress by getting in a good workout, meditating, going for a walk, or doing other things that you find relaxing. Taking a warm bath is a good way to relieve stress and clean your skin at the same time.
Cleanse and Exfoliate
In addition to cleansing your skin regularly, you should also make exfoliation a part of your nightly routine. This is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the outer layer of skin. By removing this layer of dead skin cells, you’ll make it easier for your pores to breathe and for your new skin cells to thrive. Exfoliating helps the skin maintain a soft and bright glow. You can use a chemical peel or go for a simple wash with a clean washcloth if you’re on a budget. Scrubs are also highly effective.
Make Sure Your Skin is Getting Enough Nutrients
In addition to eating a more plant-based diet, you can give your skin the nutrients it needs via topical lotions and moisturizers. When you do choose a skin moisturizer, be sure to read the label and research the ingredients. Some moisturizers and skin creams may not do much for skin health. If you suffer from rosacea, you might need to boost the helpful bacteria in your gut microbiome. In that case, look for skincare products especially designed to include probiotic rosacea benefits.
Other compounds to look for in your skincare products include:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Propylene glycol
- Lanolin
Get Your Beauty Sleep
If you’re not getting seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night, you’re probably suffering from prematurely aging skin as well. That’s because your skin is healed and rejuvenated while you sleep. One of the many things your body does during sleep is to relieve stress levels, so poor sleep will lead to clogged pores and redder skin. When you do get more sleep, you might find that you wake up looking younger and healthier. That’s because the benefits of good sleep on your skin are almost instantaneous. Women who sleep well find that they need to use fewer cosmetics.
Wear Sunscreen
Not only is it important to wear sunscreen outside, but studies have shown that indoor lighting can also have an effect on your skin. This is why it is important to implement a high-quality sunscreen into your daily skincare routine. It will protect your skin for most types of light that people generally are around, as well as any risk of sunburn. There are many different types of sunscreens that are good for your skin, so make sure you do your research beforehand so you choose an option that won’t make you break out.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water each day is one of the most affordable ways to manage your skin health. Depending on your age, height, and weight the amount can differ so look online to figure out how much water is optimal for you to be drinking. You will typically notice a difference in your skin health within a few months. Remember, drinking lots of soda, coffee, or alcohol will not help you with hydrating your skin. Water is the most healthy option for you to see results in your skin.
Get Input from a Professional
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know which products or solutions are best for you. If you want some guidance, it can be best to reach out to a dermatologist who can guide you on your skincare journey. They will also be able to recommend products, procedures, or habits that will be the most beneficial to your particular skin health concerns. Sometimes it will still take some trial and error, but you will most likely be able to more easily pinpoint what options are best.
Conclusion
If you regularly follow these practices and still experience the signs of premature aging and other skin conditions, consult a dermatologist. Blemishes and other types of skin inflammation may indicate a more serious medical condition or an allergy. Addressing these issues sooner will help you maintain your youth and beauty for decades into the future.
Rayanne Morriss is currently working towards her BA from Oregon State University. She loves to write, read, travel, and paint. She enjoys finding new coffee shops with friends and expanding her cooking skills with her husband.
