Taking care of your skin and keeping it healthy can be difficult, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing, and it can become quite overwhelming. However, having clear skin isn’t just for the stars, and it’s something that anyone can achieve by following some pretty simple steps. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and discover some simple tips for getting clear skin.
1. Protect yourself from the sun
One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of exposure to the sun can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems and increase the risk of skin cancer. For the most comprehensive sun protection:
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- Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply the sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours- or more often if you swim or sweat.
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- Seek out the shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
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- Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with long-sleeved, tightly woven shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. Also, consider laundry additives that give clothing an extra layer of protection against ultraviolet rays for a certain number of washes or special sun-protective clothing- specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.
2. Do not smoke
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to the appearance of wrinkles. Smoking constricts the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin, which reduces blood flow and makes your skin look paler. This also deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important for its health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin- the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when you smoke- like pinching your lips together when you inhale and squinting your eyes to keep the smoke from getting through- can contribute to wrinkles.
Smoking also increases the risk of developing scaly skin cancer. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for advice or treatments to help you quit smoking. Personally, I can’t say that I follow this advice to the T, but I try my hardest. I am a social smoker, and I only smoke when I’m out partying with my friends.
3. Treat your skin gently
Daily cleaning and shaving can have a negative effect on your skin. To take care of it:
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- Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths strip your skin of oils. Limit the length of your bath or shower and use lukewarm- rather than hot- water.
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- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oils from your skin. Choose mild cleansers instead.
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- Shave thoroughly. Shave in the direction the hair is growing, not against the direction of growth. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving. For a very close shave, use a clean, sharp razor.
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- Dry yourself by patting it off. Pat your skin dry after washing or bathing, or pat it dry with a towel to keep it moist.
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- Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
4. Adjust to a healthy diet.
A healthy diet can help you look and feel better. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. The link between diet and acne is still unclear, but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates may promote younger-looking skin. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your skin hydrated.
5. Deal with stress
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To promote healthy skin- and a healthy state of mind- take steps to manage your stress. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, reduce your to-do list and make time for things you enjoy. The results may be more dramatic than you think.
Final thoughts
All these tips are to have healthier skin; if you have any skin issues, consult a dermatologist. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about having healthy skin.