There’s nothing quite like waking up to a clear complexion in the mirror. After all the wear-and-tear we put our skin through each day by wearing makeup, sweating, touching our face, and being in the sun, it doesn’t always like to behave and stay clear. Even though skin is the body’s largest organ, skin health is often given less attention than the health of our insides. Not only does a glowing complexion boost confidence, but it indicates good skincare, which decreases your chances of developing sun damage and diseases such as skin cancer. The following steps will lead you on your way to healthier, more radiant, and glowing skin.
- Chug that H20
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Water is one of the earth’s most incredible gifts, and it’s practically impossible to have too much. Human skin is made up of 64% water (and our entire bodies- up to 60%). Not only is drinking water crucial to our survival and physical health, but its effects extend far beyond hydration and energy. H2O is a critical part of good digestion, blood circulation, and nutrient absorption, which means more of those powerful skin-clearing vitamins and minerals are getting into your system. Hydrated skin is also more resilient and appears fuller and brighter, basically making you an embodiment of the sun.
- Get More Zzz’s
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Let’s admit it- nobody feels happy or refreshed after an unrestful night of sleep. We all want to throw our alarm clocks across the room when they try to sabotage our last moments of rest. Getting enough sleep (7-9 hours for adults) not only improves overall mood, but it also gives your body a chance to perform some pretty important repair tasks. Your skin creates new collagen while you sleep to help fight against wrinkles. The blood flow in your face and skin also increases while you’re asleep. Michael Breus, a well-renowned sleep expert and author of “The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan,” says, “Sleep deprivation causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin surrounding your face. Skin becomes dull, and you don’t get those rosy cheeks anymore.” So, next time you snooze your alarm and your boss asks why you were late to work, tell him or her that you really needed your beauty sleep- you wouldn’t be lying.
- Wash your face twice a day- but no more
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Cleansing your face two times each day- preferably when you wake up and before you go to sleep- is an excellent rule to add to your daily beauty routine. You can try to argue with me, but I think one of the best feelings in the world is splashing cold or warm water on your face after crawling out of bed. Cleansing your skin first thing in the morning helps to open up your pores and get rid of any dirt, dead skin cells, or dust that might’ve accumulated or transferred onto your skin while you were sleeping. Washing your face before applying the day’s makeup also ensures you have a clean and fresh pallet to work with. Just be sure to choose a natural, mild cleanser and avoid washing your face too often, because it can actually have an adverse effect on your skin’s glow. Jerome Garden, the director at Chicago’s Physicians Laser and Dermatology Institute, says, “Not only does too much washing lead to dry, irritated skin, but it can actually lead to the skin paradoxically producing too much oil.” If you find that even two washes a day is overkill for your skin, cut back to one or pick a gentler, water-based cleanser.
- Eat foods dense in vitamins and antioxidants
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What you put inside your body is just as important as the products you use on your skin. Processed foods with high levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium can decrease skin health and expose your body to various kinds of toxins. It’s no surprise that consuming more whole foods like fruits and vegetables will positively impact your overall health, but there are certain vitamins and antioxidants that specifically aid in glowing skin. Some antioxidant-rich foods that our skin loves are leafy greens, nuts, berries, beans, and even dark chocolate (which our bellies love, too!). Healthline.com also suggests finding foods with the four best vitamins for good skin health, which are Vitamin C, D, E, and K (or D-E-C-K, if acronyms are your thing).
If you aren’t getting enough of these in your diet or multivitamin, consider taking a vitamin supplement. But, as Healthline.com warns, don’t take supplements unless you know your body needs them. “A blood test can help determine whether you have any vitamin deficiencies. You should only take vitamins with the guidance of a medical professional to prevent overdose.” Get snackin’!
- Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
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If you want your skin to appear energized and radiant, you have to get in the habit of moisturizing daily. Find a Vitamin-C, organic, or water-based moisturizer that’s gentle on your skin and won’t make your face oily. I’ve been using Clinique’s 72-hour auto-replenishing hydrator called “moisture surge” each day after showering or before putting on makeup. Not only can I visibly tell that my skin is more hydrated, but it’s smooth and soft to the touch. Moisturizing is also even more important in the winter months. Dermatologist Debra Jaliman said on goodhousekeeping.com that “in the winter, humidity levels plummet, and the dry air can dehydrate your skin and strip it of lipids, which are part of its protective outer layer — so irritants can enter more easily and cause redness and flaking.” Compromising the outer skin layer can also lead to wrinkles down the line. I don’t know about you, but I definitely won’t be skipping my moisturizer.
- Switch out your makeup
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Makeup and concealers can put stress on your skin by exposing it to harsh pore-clogging ingredients and chemicals. If you’re going to wear makeup, why not choose a concealer that might actually improve skin health? Buzzfeed’s Nusrat Sultana formulated a list of makeup products that simultaneously help you take care of your skin with skin-benefiting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, SPF, shea butter, aloe, and even avocado. Better yet? Most skin-approved products on the market today are made by well-known brands and available at affordable prices. You don’t have to stop wearing makeup to get naturally glowing skin, but you might want to research the ingredients of the products you’re using and swap them out for ones that are more skin-friendly.
Our skin goes through a lot on a daily basis, and it requires a lot of love and care to keep it blemish-free and in top shape. Having a consistent skincare routine can benefit skin health and appearance year-round, even during the colder months. Congrats- you’re officially on your way to glowing and more radiant skin.
(all of these links are included in the hyperlinks throughout the article)
https://www.self.com/story/how-to-wash-your-face#:~:text=Only%20wash%20your%20face%20
https://www.healthline.com/health/4-best-vitamins-for-skin#vitamin-k
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a35094/face-moisturizer-benefits/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/nusrat21/makeup-products-that-also-help-you-take-care-of-your-skin