8 Tips For Clearer Skin
We all want clear, glowing skin. But beauty regimes that work for your best friend will not necessarily work for you. Every one of us has different skin types. And although we are all different the underlying way to take care of skin are all the same.
1. Diet
Carb rich diets, sugar and processed foods take a serious toll on your body, not to mention your skin. Fresh greens like arugula, kale and collards oxygenate the body and skin unlike any topical you can apply. Protein provides skin cells with the building blocks they require to turn over effectively and maintain hydration. By making small tweaks to your diet, you will notice drastic changes to your skin. Remember, your skin is your largest organ, don’t feed it junk.
2. Sleep!
Catch some zzzz’s. Many people don’t realize what a large role sleep plays in the anti-aging realm. Sleep is important for your skin. Physiologically, the skin has a lot to do during the day including metabolism, fending off UV radiation, protecting the body from pathogens and regulating body temperature. But once asleep, the skin does its most significant repair work including production of collagen and elastin, the skin’s connective tissue responsible for firmness, tone and elasticity.
3. Stop picking
Picking pimples is a very common habit that can lead to scarring, enhanced redness, and the spread of bacteria (which can create secondary infections). Although it is very tempting to pick, try using a good spot treatment with salicylic acid to attack the bacteria before it becomes inflamed and see your aesthetician or dermatologist if it worsens. A
4. Keep it clean
Wash your face like you mean it. Sounds simple enough, but too often people are in a rush and don’t take the time to ‘baby’ their skin. Imagine washing a pan full of grease. If you don’t take your time and wash it thoroughly, the grease and oil will still be left in the spots you didn’t pay attention to
5. Pay attention to your eyes
People tend to just put a tiny amount of eye cream under eye area, and they are really missing out on its benefits. SMILE — and look in the mirror. The fine lines start at the eye, but can extend all the way to hairline. Apply your eye cream from the bottom corner of the inner eye all the way out to the cheekbone and hairline, and then up and around the lid. Think of sunglasses: apply to the area a pair of sunglasses would cover.
6. Ice
One amazing (and free) thing I do at home to keep my skin looking great is ‘icing’ There are three main benefits of icing. Similar to a sports injury, when you put ice on a breakout, it reduces redness and inflammation. Ice can also be used as a natural exfoliant. When you put something in the freezer, it preserves it, similar to putting meat in a freezer. Just remember, you have to keep the ice moving. Don’t hold it in one spot, it can burn like heat can.
7. Skin oil
The quickest way to fake glowing skin is to use good face oil. It will automatically nourish your skin and give it a healthy shine (not greasy or oily). They do not clog pores. In fact, they balance oil production. Apply a facial oil to damp clean skin twice daily. Use it alone or mix it with your tinted moisturizer and your skin will glow in a pinch!
8. Protect it!
In the morning, apply antioxidant serum followed by a broad-spectrum sunblock of SPF 30 or higher. Some UV penetrates through the sunscreen in the antioxidant provides extra protection. While you are outside, make sure you are staying protected — yes with sunblock, but even with your clothing. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.