Don’t have time for a detailed skincare routine? No worries! You can still treat yourself to some basic yet effective skin care habits.
Good skincare combined with a healthy lifestyle can help delay the natural aging process and prevent a variety of skin issues.
Here are five straightforward tips to get you started:
1. Protect from the Sun
One of the most crucial ways to care for your skin is by shielding it from the sun.
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems, not to mention an increased risk of skin cancer. For comprehensive sun protection, consider the following:
- Use Sunscreen: Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.
- Seek Shade: Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. You can also use laundry additives that provide an extra layer of UV protection for a certain number of washes, or invest in special sun-protective clothing designed to block ultraviolet rays.
2. Don’t Smoke EVER!
Smoking significantly ages your skin and contributes to wrinkles. It narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin, reducing blood flow and making your skin paler. This also depletes your skin of oxygen and essential nutrients.
Additionally, smoking damages collagen and elastin—fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. The repetitive facial expressions you make while smoking, like pursing your lips and squinting, can also lead to wrinkles.
Moreover, smoking increases your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Seek advice or treatments from your doctor to help you stop smoking.
3. Treat Your Skin Gently
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle, follow these tips:
- Limit Bath Time: Hot water and long showers or baths can remove oils from your skin. Keep your bath or shower time short and use warm, rather than hot, water.
- Avoid Strong Soaps: Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Use mild cleansers instead.
- Shave Carefully: To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving. Use a clean, sharp razor and shave in the direction that the hair grows, not against it.
- Pat Dry: After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel, leaving some moisture on your skin.
- Moisturize Dry Skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that suits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
4. DIET
A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
While the link between diet and acne isn’t completely clear, some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger-looking skin.
Drinking plenty of water also helps keep your skin hydrated.
5. Manage Stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems.
To encourage healthy skin—and a healthy state of mind—take steps to manage your stress.
Ensure you get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list, and make time for activities you enjoy. The results might be more impressive than you expect.