How do I take care of my skin?
No time for intensive skin care? You can still indulge yourself by following the basics. Proper skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help slow natural aging and prevent a variety of skin problems. Get started with these five top tips.
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. Lifetime exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems, as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
Full sun protection:
Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
Find shadows. Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with a tight-fitting long-sleeved shirt, trousers, and a wide-brimmed hat. Also consider laundry additives that provide an extra layer of UV protection for a certain number of washes, or special sunscreen clothing designed to block UV rays.
2. Do not smoke.
Smoking can age the skin and cause wrinkles. Smoking constricts the small blood vessels in the outer layer of the skin, reducing blood flow and making the skin look pale. It also deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important for skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give the skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, repetitive facial expressions while smoking, such as pursed lips when inhaling and squinting when exhaling, can also lead to the formation of wrinkles.
Smoking also increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit smoking. Ask your doctor about tips or treatments to help you quit smoking.
3. Take good care of your skin.
Daily grooming and shaving can take a toll on your skin. Keep it soft:
Limit bath time. Warm water and a long shower or bath can remove oil from your skin. Limit shower or bath time and use lukewarm water instead of hot water.
Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and cleansers can remove oil from the skin. Instead, choose a mild cleanser.
Shave carefully. Apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving to protect and lubricate your skin. To get as close to a shave as possible, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it.
Dry stomach. After washing or showering, pat your skin dry with a towel to keep it hydrated.
Moisturizes dry skin. If you have dry skin, use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. For everyday use, consider using a moisturizer with SPF.
4. Eat right.
Eating a healthy diet will help you look and feel your best. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. The link between diet and acne is unclear, but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements, as well as a diet high in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates, can make skin look younger. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated.
5. Manage stress.
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and lead to acne and other skin problems. To maintain healthy skin and a good mood, you need to take steps to manage stress. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, shorten your to-do list, and make time for the things you love. The results may be more dramatic than you expected.
