Practicing basic skincare and making healthy lifestyle choices can help ward off premature aging and skin problems.
Even with a busy schedule, prioritizing your skin health is a form of self-care. It doesn’t require hours of elaborate treatments. A few minutes dedicated to the essentials can make a world of difference. Small, consistent efforts are more effective than occasional, lengthy routines.
Protect yourself from the sun
Shield your skin from the sun. Long-term sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots, and various skin problems, and significantly increase your risk of skin cancer.
Use sunscreen every day even if you are indoors – the sun’s UVA rays come through windows too and contribute to aging, pigmenting, and tanning. Ideally, sunscreen should be applied every three hours.
Eat a healthy diet
A balanced diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Fresh fruits and vegetables may be especially helpful at preventing damage that can lead to early skin aging. Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin hydrated too. Limit foods and drinks with added sugar, processed snacks, and other refined carbohydrates. Some studies suggest that a diet high in refined carbs stripped of nutrition can speed up aging.
Choose your face wash smartly
Smart facial cleansing is key. Select a face wash designed for your specific skin type and wash your face twice a day. For evening cleansing, use a separate cleanser to first remove makeup and impurities before using your regular face wash.
After you wash or bathe, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel. That way, some moisture stays on your skin.
If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, try a moisturizer that contains SPF to help protect your skin from the sun.
Manage stress
Stress affects your skin. To boost your chances for healthy skin and a healthy state of mind, take some steps to manage your stress. Excessive stress can lead to breakouts and exacerbate other skin conditions.
Prioritize stress management for both your skin and your overall health. Try incorporating stress-reducing activities like adequate sleep, exercise, mindful prioritization, meditation/yoga, and quality time with loved ones into your routine.
Go for antioxidants
For younger skin, look for ingredients with antioxidants like vitamins C, E or a whole range of botanicals like green tea, grapeseed or pomegranate extract, curcumin, etc. You might also like to look out for the following: Genistein, ECGC, Resveratrol, Idebenone and Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.
Don’t smoke
Smoking makes skin look older and plays a part in wrinkles forming. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This lessens blood flow and makes skin duller. It also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are key for skin health.
Smoking damages fibers called collagen and elastin which give skin strength and suppleness.
