7 Tips for Beautiful Skin
What woman or man, for that matter doesn’t want younger looking skin? From moisturizers to toners to cleansers to exfoliates, virtually every nook and cranny in many bathrooms are filled with beauty products that claim to help accomplish that goal. While some expensive products work, the price isn’t an effectiveness scale. Some simple, fairly inexpensive steps you can take can keep your skin vibrant and glowing.
Tip 1: Eat right. Foods rich in ‘phyto-compounds’ boost the skin’s natural collagen level, stimulate cell reproduction, improve blood flow and keep your skin and body healthy. Cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, apricots, pomegranates and grape seed oil lead fruits in this group. Dark leafy greens, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cucumber, broccoli, kale, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables provide nutrients vital to skin health as well as anti-oxidants and is a natural moisturizer. Fish, flax, walnuts, seaweed, watercress, carrots, beans, black currants and acai berries also promote healthy skin.
Tip 2: Cleanse gently and moisturize often. As one French cosmetics executive once said, “Soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.” Soap can dry skin very easily. Instead, use a gentle cleanser that’s right for your skin type. Moisturize often and exfoliate no more often than twice per week, but do it just as gently as you would a baby’s skin. Consider using a moisturizer for dry skin if you have a similar type so as it maximizes its intended effects. If you use a commercial product, use only exfoliates with a small grain consistency and rub gently. Rubbing hard or using larger grains can tear the skin, which completely counters your goal. Exfoliating more than twice per week is unnecessary in most cases, but always remember: Gentle exfoliate paired with gentle strokes is best.
Tip 3: Wear no make-up to bed. Cleansing your face nightly is important, whether you wear make-up or not. Your pores get clogged from dirt, dust, pollution and even allergens. When added to the layers of make-up over your pores, you stack the clear, beautiful skin deck against yourself. Even mascara should be removed: Eyelashes can break at night with the dried, stiff compound left on them.
Tip 4: Apply sunscreen when outside. Tans may look great now, but damage to your skin from UV rays can last a lifetime. Reapply as needed, but keep that skin protected. Wash it off gently but thoroughly every night.
Tip 5: Clean items often. Use a wash cloth once then add to the laundry. You don’t want to reapply the dirt and germs you just removed, especially when the cloth you just used is wet when you hang it up. Drying the cloth does nothing to remove from the surface what you just removed from your face. Also, clean your cell phone often. As you hold the phone to your ear and face, germs, dead skin cells and oils accumulate on the device. Use a cotton swab very lightly dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently swipe across the keypad and display screen. Don’t soak the swab but have it barely damp, or you’ll ruin your phone.
Tip 6: Hydrate. Yes, it’s true. Drinking lots of water each day is good for not only your body but your skin. All the moisturizer in the world can only fight an uphill battle if you don’t provide your body with the hydration it needs. Caffeine, smoking and excessive carbohydrates in your diet counter your body’s ability to store and use moisture. Cut down on those elements while consuming the 64 ounces per day, at a minimum, and your skin care efforts will be boosted by your attention.
Tip 7: Get adequate rest. Stress, regardless of source, uses your body’s reserves, increases blood pressure, hampers blood circulation and causes facial muscles to contract, all of which contribute to premature age lines – wrinkles.
