Our skin. It’s the largest organ of our bodies but is one we often forget about. Until it’s too late. It’s crucial to take care of our skin. Why, you ask? Besides helping us to look and feel our best, our skin breathes, removes impurities, and helps regulate our body temperature. It’s surprising how quickly the aging process can speed up if we neglect to take care of it and follow healthier skin tips. Prevention is key, ladies and gents — you don’t want to wait and have it be too late.
10 Tips to Better, Healthier Skin All Year-Round
Whatever you have done to your skin in the past, now is the time to make a change. If you want better, healthier skin, here are 10 tips for a radiant complexion all year.
1. Drink More Water
Staying hydrated helps our bodies and minds in so many ways — one of those is hydrating our skin. (Admittedly, this is something I also need to get better at myself.) If our skin is not getting enough water, the lack of hydration will cause our skin to become dry, tight, and flaky. Not good! Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling. So, in essence, for this tip, and for healthier skin, drink more water and prevent those wrinkles!
2. Protect Yourself from the Sun
Whether summer or winter, we must choose skincare products that protect our skin from the sun year-round. Doing so can help reduce the harmful effects of the sun, which (as we know) causes early aging (such as wrinkles and age spots) and increases the risk of skin cancer and other skin problems.
For complete sun protection, use at least 15 SPF sunscreen daily, wear protective clothing, and avoid being out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
3. Don’t Smoke
Did you know that smoking causes your skin to look older and causes wrinkles? Smoking narrows the blood vessels in our skin’s outermost layers, decreasing blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients vital to overall skin health. Crazy, right?
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give our skin strength and elasticity. Also, the repetitive expressions you make when smoking (such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke) contribute to wrinkles. Smoking, in general, is bad for you — this is just another reason to quit!
4. Use Hypoallergenic/Organic Makeup
So many different chemicals in makeup can negatively affect your skin. Choose products that are made for your skin type. I recommend using hypoallergenic makeup or organic makeup to help avoid any issues and for healthier skin. This will help meet the needs of your specific skin type and eye type, especially if you have sensitive skin like me.
5. Use Safe Products Made for Your Skin Type
The best way to care for your skin is to find the right products specially designed for your skin type. Dry skin does not have the same needs as oily skin. Know your skin type and find the right products for you.
6. Remove Your Makeup
I have dry, sensitive skin. The first thing to know when caring for sensitive skin is that it begins with makeup removal. To not stress your skin, to allow it to breathe overnight, and to respect its natural balance, you must remove your makeup every night before bed. Make sure to use a chemically-free, pH-neutral makeup remover.
7. Exfoliate
Exfoliation is huge for healthier skin! You want to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Whatever product you choose, it should be effective yet gentle on your skin. Again, choose a chemical-free, pH-neutral exfoliation product.
8. Moisturize Your Skin
To keep the skin well moisturized, choosing a daily moisturizing skin care product that balances the water level within the skin is essential. I have very dry skin, so I need a product that I feel confident won’t make me look oily but will make me feel moisturized throughout the day. This cream is safe and perfect for my dry skin.
9. Don’t Forget Your Lips
We always forget about our lips when we think of skincare. We must use a restorative cream/balm for our lips throughout the day. For this healthier skin tip, continue to reapply to this fragile area as often as you feel is necessary. I always have some lip balm in my bag for that exact reason.
10. Get Your Beauty Sleep
Try to get eight hours of sleep every night if you can. I know, easier said than done. Especially if you are pregnant or have little ones, this will probably not happen. If you don’t get enough sleep, your skin will begin looking tired. It will sag and cause you to have bags under your eyes.
If you’re having late nights and early mornings with your little ones, that makes the rest of these tips much more important! Let’s do this — for our (healthier!) skin and ourselves!
