Good skin care is essential especially in a world that features high levels of pollution and a populace that loves to be outdoors. If you want to enjoy youthful looking skin then you have to know about sun protection and gentle cleansing – those are the things that can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.
It doesn’t take huge amounts of money or even a doctorate in skin biology – you can still enjoy a glowing, healthy skin by following some simple lifestyle principles. What you do today can make all the difference to what your skin looks like as you age. Women and men can avoid some common skin problems by following these simple hints and tips.
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1. Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun – although that hole in the ozone layer hasn’t received ‘whole’ (see what I did there) lot of attention in recent years it’s still there – and still causing skin cancer across the world. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer (and the most deadly) in the world.
Good sun practice:
Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring. Don’t trust ‘water resistant’ sunscreen – it isn’t. Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats (white is the best). Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays. But seriously – use sunscreen.
2. Don’t smoke
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles – continue smoking and you’re going to end up looking varnished. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to give up the habit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking or use an over the counter patch or other approach to stopping the habit.
3. Treat your skin with love
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin (although men seem to benefit from daily shaving).
To keep it gentle:
Limit your time in the bath. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water. Also try and find a skin friendly soap without any added artificial scents.
Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
Pat your face and body dry. After washing or bathing, gently blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin – and don’t skimp on towels, buy cotton rich towels – they’ll last longer than man made fabrics and they’ll treat your skin right.
Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF. If you don’t know your PH balance then visit a beautician or a high end fragrance counter at your local mall – they’ll be delighted to help you out.
4. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help you look and feel great. Eat plenty of fruits, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins (fish and skinless chicken are great). The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin. It’s always a great idea to stay away from bad fats – taking care of your skin is another one.
5. Manage stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and cause skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Exercise and eat right. Take some time out to see friends and family. Take a walk at a park, swim. Every step you take in living a healthy lifestyle will also help you look and feel younger and more vibrant.