In the age of selfies and social media filters, we are more interested in skin care than ever before. Many of us long for a flawless complexion, but how do you go about achieving beautiful, youthful skin? With an ever-growing range of beauty products on the market and endless articles discussing the dos and don’ts of skin care, it can be difficult to know where to begin, what to buy and which golden rules to follow. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to make looking after your skin simple. Here are some small changes that can make a big difference.
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Hydration
One of the easiest, cheapest and most effective ways to enhance the look and feel of your skin is to embrace hydration. Start by ensuring that you drink plenty of water. Aim for at least 2 litres of water per day. If you exercise regularly, or it’s a hot day and you’re sweating, increase your fluid intake. If you are dehydrated, and you don’t drink enough, you’ll notice the effects on your skin. Your complexion will look dull and your skin may feel dry and brittle.
If you find it hard to hit the 2-litre target, start carrying a flask or a large bottle of water with you and make sure you have a drink with every meal. If you don’t like plain water, add sugar-free cordial, try flavoured water or add a slice of lemon, lime or cucumber. Water is essential for optimum health and it’s the best thing you can drink.
In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, you can hydrate your skin using targeted skin care products. If your skin type is dry or sensitive, or it’s cold or windy outside, you may find that your skin becomes dehydrated easily. Look for lotions, creams and moisturisers that are suitable for dry skin and apply regularly. You can also use products like hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body. This ingredient, which is often found in serums, boosts skin hydration by improving moisture retention.
Cleansing
Cleansing is all about cleaning your skin and keeping it fresh. If you wear makeup every day, or you’ve been out and about, it’s important to cleanse and remove impurities. Always take the time to take your makeup off before you go to bed and consider double cleansing if you’ve been wearing makeup all day, you’ve done a workout, you live in a city, or you’ve been outside surrounded by dirt and mud. There are multiple types of cleansing products available, including oils, lotions, scrubs, gels, cleansing milk, masks and wipes. Choose products that are suitable for your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, for example, you may find that facial oils and natural products that don’t contain any fragrance are better for your skin. If you have oily skin, foam cleansers can help to control oil. If you need advice, read articles from reputable sources and ask beauty and skincare experts for recommendations.
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Exfoliating
Exfoliating is designed to remove impurities from the skin, encourage skin cell renewal and eliminate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. It’s beneficial to exfoliate your face and body at least once per week. You can use facial skin care products and body exfoliators, including scrubs, bath soaks and body polishes, or apply your normal shower gel or cream and wash with exfoliating gloves or a body brush. Take care if you have very sensitive skin and seek advice from a dermatologist. After exfoliating, apply moisturiser to your skin. You should find that your skin looks radiant and feels softer and smoother.
Diet
Most of us are aware that our diets impact our body weight and our energy levels, but did you know that the foods you eat can also affect your skin? A healthy diet packed with nutrients can help to make your complexion look clearer and brighter and reduce the risk of common ailments.
Foods that are fantastic for your skin include oily fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds, berries, avocados, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, bell peppers, watermelon, cucumber, sweet potatoes, kiwi fruit and papaya. Try to include a diverse range of fruit and vegetables in your diet and add nuts and seeds, including walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts. Aim for two portions of oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout, per week. Other sources of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados and peanut butter.
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Sun protection
There’s nothing quite like the feel of the warmth on your skin, especially after a long winter, but it’s critical to protect your skin from the sun to prevent premature ageing and skin damage. It’s beneficial to expose your skin to the sun for short periods to boost vitamin D but you’ll need to wear SPF to avoid burning and keep your skin healthy and hydrated. If it’s hot outside, the UV rating is high or very high, or you’re going on holiday, always apply sun lotion. Even when it’s cool or grey during autumn, winter or spring, it’s wise to use a moisturiser or foundation with SPF. This can help to keep your skin youthful.
If you are planning to sit out in the sun, make sure you choose a high-factor sun cream and cover every part of your body. If you burn easily, or you have fair skin, use factor 30 or 50. Even if you tan well or you have dark skin, you should consider using factor 20 or 30. Try to avoid the midday sun and reapply your cream regularly, especially if you’re swimming. If you start to feel your skin burning, sit in the shade. If you have signs of sunburn, use aftersun or a nourishing moisturising cream or gel to soothe your skin and help it heal.
Many of us prefer to have a bit of colour in our cheeks and we feel more confident with a healthy, golden glow. If you love being tanned, but you don’t want to damage your skin, the safest option is to use self-tanning products or to book a spray tan. Using sun beds and spending long periods of time out in the sun can damage your skin, cause visible signs of ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer. There are some excellent self-tanning products available today. If you’re new to tanning at home, research products, invest in a mitt for application and follow the instructions carefully. It’s best to exfoliate at least 24 hours before and moisturise the elbows and knees, which tend to be dry. Choose a product that suits your skin type and a shade that matches your skin tone and your preferences. You can opt for a light, subtle glow or go all-out with dark or extra-dark shades.
Exercise
Exercise reduces the risk of a host of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression and some types of cancer, but it can also be beneficial for your skin. Working out regularly boosts circulation, which increases blood flow. This is important because it supercharges the delivery of key nutrients to your skin. You may find that your skin looks very red during an intense exercise session, but once the redness subsides and your body cools down again, you should find that your skin looks healthier and more vibrant. Always ensure that you drink plenty of water before, during and after a workout.
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If you’ve ever spent time browsing the skincare aisle, or you read beauty and health magazines or blogs regularly, you may be wondering how to get flawless skin. There’s a dazzling array of products available and all kinds of guides that talk about skin care hacks and must-have beauty essentials. It can be difficult to know where to begin. If you long for smoother, brighter, healthier and more youthful skin, follow the simple steps in this guide. Stay hydrated, include foods that are good for your skin in your diet, choose skincare products that are suited to your skin type and protect your skin from the sun. Exercise regularly, increase your fluid intake if it’s hot or you’re working out and take the time to cleanse, moisturise and exfoliate.
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