There are many factors things can influence your skin: the weather, hormones, medications, and so on. If your goal is to have smooth, clear skin though, start by taking a look at your lifestyle. With a few simple changes you can achieve spectacular results that will benefit both your skin and your overall health.
Beautiful skin is a signal that your body functions properly - it efficiently eliminates waste and transports nutrients around the body. Glowing skin is also a sign that you’re taking proper care of yourself and that you’re using the right products for your skin type. Luckily, taking proper care of your skin isn’t rocket science – you only have to follow four basic rules in order to enjoy smooth, soft skin. Not only will you look more radiant, you’ll feel better in general.
1. Healthier Diet
Basically, your skin is a reflection of your total body health. Or, to put it more simply, you are what you eat. As a result, certain foods may affect the way your skin looks. Junk foods, processed foods, excessively fat foods – they all take a toll on your body and your overall health.
For better-looking skin, start by avoiding packaged and processed food – these foods are almost nutrient-free, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies that affect your skin. Additionally, industrial meats (that often come from animals that are fed a cocktail of steroids and hormones) and fried foods should be kept to a minimum. Excessive sugar is also damaging to the skin; it can weaken your immune system and make your body less effective when it comes to fighting with bacteria and bacteria is a leading cause of acne and other unpleasant skin conditions.
The best way to go? Opt for a balanced diet, high in veggies, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein. When your diet is healthier, not only will you feel better, but your skin will look better too.
2. Plenty of Sleep
Lack of sleep has a nasty effect on your skin. After all, it’s not called beauty sleep for nothing; your skin, and the rest of your body, enters repair mode when you’re asleep. Skin cells grow and replace old ones. You may have noticed that when you get less sleep your skin starts to lack elasticity and vitality.
According to WebMD, when you don’t get enough rest your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. If the process keeps repeating itself, cortisol can break down skin collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic. As a result, when you’re tired, your skin is tired as well. Give it a chance to rest properly and make sure you get a full eight hours of sleep each night. If you fall behind, pay off your sleep debt by taking short naps during the day. It’s not a good solution in the long term, but it can help your skin until you get back on normal sleeping schedule.
3. Less Stress
Besides the harmful effects it has on your overall health, chronic stress causes skin problems as well. And here’s why - when you’re tense, your body releases stress hormones, especially cortisol, the one we’ve already mentioned before. Stress-related skin issues include psoriasis, acne, dandruff, and hives. All of them unpleasant, to say the least.
In order to minimize the effect stress has on your skin, start by keeping your stress levels under control. If you’re anxious at work, you can find a few tips that will help you cope better here. If you’re dealing with stress in your personal life, do your best to keep your stressors to a minimum or eliminate them altogether. And when you’re having one of those days when it all seems to go horribly wrong, simply take a break. Draw yourself a warm bath and relax with your favorite steamy romance novel. Your stress will soon become a thing of the past.
4. Proper Skin Care
Yes, this is mandatory as well. Everybody should make it a priority to establish an effective skincare routine that works best for them. Every type of skin reacts differently to different things, so do some research, test some products, consult a dermatologist if necessary, and determine which skincare products are better fitted for your skin type.
Once you find the right product line, make sure you follow the basic steps of skincare: cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturizing. Sun-screen is also a must. Never skip it. A face mask is also recommended every once in a while.
When you’re well-rested, less stressed, properly fed and using the right products for you, not only will your skin look awesome, you’ll feel better overall. You’ll have more confidence in yourself, which can help you accomplish wonderful things. What other tips do you have for healthier skin? Let us know in the comments!