There is no shortage of creams, serums, and expensive treatments on the market promising us fresh, youthful skin. But, do you really need a cupboard full of products to get the beautiful and healthy skin you desire? Not necessarily. It’s also important to remember that good health comes from within, and that includes your skin. Here, we’ll go back to basics and discuss the lifestyle changes you can make this summer to see lasting change in your skin.
Drink More Water
You’ve heard it time and time again but, we’ll say it one more time in case you’ve forgotten. Making up 65% of your body mass, water is the most critical component of your body’s general health. Consuming adequate amounts of water daily is vital for keep your organs functioning optimally. When your body is properly hydrated, your skin will show it. Water is the body’s natural detoxifying agent, carrying away impurities as it passes through. Water could just be the magic elixir you’ve been looking for to achieve glowing skin. Not fond of the taste of water? A squeeze of lemon or lime can help with that while giving you the natural benefits of lemon and lime juice.
Balanced Diet
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. And like every other organ, a balanced diet is a non-negotiable for keeping everything in tip-top shape. Protein, fats, and carbohydrates in balanced proportions, and adequate vitamins and minerals, keep your body equipped to cope with your demanding lifestyle. In particular, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have been proven to have some serious benefits for skin and hair health. Adding fatty fish to your diet a few times per week or add fish oil supplements to your daily regimen can help you reap some of these benefits.
Exercise
Exercise is almost like nature’s cure-all. The benefits of regular cardiovascular activity seem to have no bounds. Exercise improves your mood and reduces depression by releasing endorphins, a feel-good chemical often attributed with “runners high”. Being active also strengthens your muscles and helps the body eliminate toxins through sweat. The increased blood flow during exercise also helps nourish the skin cells with extra nutrients and oxygen while carrying waste products away from them.
Sleep
They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing. Adequate sleep is another big one for your body and, by extension, your skin. Not getting enough sleep can seriously impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat, thereby causing a variety of skin issues. Sleep is where the body recovers and rejuvenates itself. You can try to cover up your skin with makeup, but no amount of makeup can erase the bags under your eyes caused by inadequate sleep. And too much makeup can clog your pores, adding to your problems.
Healthy Skin Care Practices
How you treat your skin on the outside is also important. Keeping your skin clean will prevent dirt or oil build-up. Be sure to find a cleanser that is effective without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Products with sun protection properties also help reduce the sun’s damaging effects. Some oils, such as prickly pear seed oil, avocado oil, and argan oil have proven themselves to be powerhouses in the skin care industry. You should evaluate the benefits of each and select the one best for your skin. Don’t forget to treat yourself to an occasional facial that is tailored to meet your skin’s specific needs. Doing so will help you get a better, deeper cleanse than the one you do at home, and will leave you feeling relaxed and pampered.
Overall, skin care starts with self-care, so be good to yourself!
Guest Blogger
Constante Quirino can be reached at constante.g.quirino@gmail.com
