The good skin care, such as sun protection and gentle cleansing, can keep skin healthy and glowing.
No time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself by following the basics. Choosing good skincare and a healthy lifestyle can help you delay natural aging and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five smart tips.
1. Protect Yourself from the Sun for Skin Care
One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems, as well as an increased risk of skin cancer.
For the most complete sun protection:
- Use sunscreen. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours—or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.
- Find a shady spot. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
- Wear protective clothing. Protect your skin by wearing tight-fitting, long-sleeved clothing, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. Also consider laundry products that can give clothing an extra layer of UV protection for a certain number of washes, or clothing with special sun protection specifically designed to block UV rays.
2. Don’t smoke for Skin Care
Smoking ages your skin and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking constricts the small blood vessels in the upper layers of the skin, which reduces blood flow and makes the skin look pale. It also removes oxygen and nutrients that are vital for good skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give skin strength and elasticity. In addition, repeated facial expressions when you smoke, such as pursing your lips when you inhale and pursing when you exhale, can cause wrinkles.
Also, smoking increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for advice or treatment to help you quit smoking.
3. Treat Your Skin Gently for Skin Care
Daily cleansing and shaving can damage your skin. To treat it gently:
- Limit bath time. Bathing in hot water and for long periods of time strips away the natural oil of the skin. Limit the duration of your shower or bath and use lukewarm water instead of hot water.
- Avoid harsh soaps. Harsh soaps and detergents can strip the natural oils from the skin. Instead, use a gentle cleanser.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving. For a close shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against the grain.
- dry yourself. After washing or showering, gently pat your skin dry with a towel to keep some moisture in the skin.
- Moisturizes dry skin. If you have dry skin, use a moisturizer according to your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer with a sun protection factor.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet for Skin Care
A healthy diet can help you look and feel better. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. The relationship between diet and acne is unclear, but some research suggests that diets high in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates may promote younger-looking skin. Drinking plenty of water helps in keeping the skin hydrated.
5. Manage Stress for Skin Care
When stress gets out of control, the skin can become more sensitive, which can lead to breakouts and other skin problems. Take steps to manage stress to promote healthy skin and a healthy mood. Get enough sleep, set reasonable boundaries, trim your to-do list, and make time to do the things you love. The results may be more significant than you expect.