Clear Skin Starts Here
If you’ve had skin issues throughout your life or simply want to ensure you never do, here is a list of every little factor to consider when it comes to healthy routines and glowing from the inside out!
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1. Daily Sunscreen
Forget all the fancy lotions and moisturizers, all you really need to keep your skin healthy and safe is a reliable sunscreen. UV rays are responsible for everything from sunspots to premature aging, not to mention they can also cause diseases. That’s why if you’re going to be out in the sun, sunscreen is a must.
2. Hydrate Often
The second most important thing is water! Water supports all forms of functions and has numerous benefits, one of which includes flushing toxins from the skin and keeping your face plump and elastic.
3. Watch What You Eat
What goes into your body has a huge impact on the outside of your body. With that in mind, it’s essential that you eat a balanced diet. Focus on eating healthy foods that are high in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, as all of these support skin tone and texture.
4. Be Consistent
Many people fall into skincare product fads and try everything under the moon to get glowing skin. But what you really need is consistency. Set up a cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating routine and stick to it!
5. Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is another important factor to consider when it comes to managing your skin, after all, that’s why they call it beauty sleep. Poor sleep quality increases cortisol which is a stress hormone known to trigger acne, inflammation, and premature aging.
6. Avoid Stress
The way you’re feeling inside can certainly manifest on the outside. Chronic stress also leads to cortisol, which can lead to breakouts and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. So try to exercise or meditate to manage your stress.
7. Avoid Smoking
It seems like smoking will ruin everything from your lungs to your breath to your skin as well. This is because smoking depletes nutrients in the skin and reduces blood flow, leading to a dull appearance.
8. Drink Less
While it’s important to hydrate with water, you want to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. This is because these drinks are known to dehydrate the skin, which in turn leads to a puffy and inflamed appearance.
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9. Wash Your Pillow
If you haven’t made the connection between your pillowcase and your skin, then you’re in for a shock. Since you put your face on this surface daily, it collects oil, dirt, and bacteria and can clog your pores. That’s why it’s important to clean it regularly!
10. Clean Your Phone
This may seem very silly and disconnected, but actually the idea here is to avoid transferring bacteria and dirt from surfaces to your phone. Your phone is another thing you put against your face, and if you’re constantly texting then touching your face, you may transfer dirt to your pores.
11. Don’t Over-Exfoliate
Exfoliation is a process that involves using hard-textured creams to remove skin cells and wash out your face. However, you should do this only once a week, as doing it too often can damage the skin barrier and lead to breakouts.
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12. Consider Your Skin Type
Not all skincare products are made equally, and some are meant for certain skin types while others aren’t. Mismatched products can result in everything from dryness to oiliness, so identify if your skin is combination, dry, or oily before choosing products.
13. Don’t Touch Your Face
It may seem like such a casual activity to subconsciously touch your face. Maybe you’re scratching an itch or simply pulling a hair back, but keep in mind that your hands carry oils, bacteria and dirt that clog pores and cause breakouts.
14. Double Cleanse Makeup
When it comes to wearing makeup, it’s super important to remove all of it the moment you can. However, one cleanse is rarely enough. The first cleanse just removes the makeup and grime, but a second cleanse is needed to clean your actual skin.
15. A Healthy Gut
You also want to keep gut health in mind and eat fibrous and probiotic-based foods to support a healthy gut microbiome. This is because gut issues often manifest through skin acne or inflammation, so you’ll want to stay on top of it.
16. Use a Humidifier
Dry air can also dry out your skin, sapping away the moisture and leading to irritation and flakiness. That’s why you’ll want a humidifier to help keep your skin hydrated, especially during those cold and dry winter days.
17. Limit Sugar
Many people have various reasons for limiting their sugar intake, and now you can add skincare to the list. High sugar intake spikes insulin, which in turn increases oil production. These factors lead to breakouts and inflammation, so you might want to skip the processed foods.
18. Patch Test First
When it comes to trying out new skincare products, no matter how easy it would be to just dive right in, always do a patch test first. This means applying a small amount to the wrist or arm area to check if you have any negative reactions before applying it to your face. This can save you from adverse rashes or breakouts.
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19. Exercise Regularly
If you needed another reason to exercise regularly, add skincare to the list! Exercise boosts circulation, which in turn helps skin cells carry away waste. Also, it helps with managing stress and limits the production of cortisol.
20. Avoid Pollutants
In today’s polluted world, air pollution is known to break down collagen and clog pores. So be cautious of having your face exposed in heavily polluted environments. Consider wearing masks, scarves, or glasses when out and about.
