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Nearly 16 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in 2017. Many of these, including soft tissue fillers and chemical peels, were requested to make the face look younger.
However, one of the best ways to look younger is to take good care of your skin. The earlier you start, the better: protecting the skin at a young age will help you delay or avoid the desire to have a cosmetic procedure done in the future.
And even if you’ve been punishing your skin for some time, it’s never too late to change your habits. Here are some skin care tips to achieve a healthy, glowing dermis.
Shield Your Skin From the Sun
Sun exposure is the number one cause of premature aging. Those penetrating UVA and UVB rays damage skin cells and can cause wrinkles, discoloration, and a leathery appearance.
Guard your exposed skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and sun protective clothing. You’ll need to reapply sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays every few hours for it to be effective. Wearing makeup with built-in sunscreen by itself doesn’t offer enough protection.
You may want to protect your skin while driving as the sun can penetrate standard vehicle windows. People who drive a daily commute are often exposed to the sun twice on the same side of their face and body.
Establish a Regular Skin Care Routine
Keeping skin cleaned and moisturized regularly will slough off dead skin cells, remove excess oil, and minimize any clogged pores. It’s especially important to follow a good skin care routine if you wear makeup. Any makeup left behind can cause acne and other skin problems.
Wash your face twice daily with a gentle facial cleanser followed by a moisturizer. Deep cleansing facial oils are very effective at removing makeup and dirt before you use a soapy cleanser. Always use warm water for rinsing; hot water can dry your skin more.
Gently exfoliate your skin once a week using a facial exfoliating product or a facecloth to remove any dead skin cells. The products you use on your face can also be extended to your neck and decolletage area.
Eat Foods That Support Skin Health
The old saying “you are what you eat” certainly applies to your skin’s appearance. Eating healthy foods with the right nutrients can help plump up skin and make it glow from within.
Foods that contain vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids make great choices. Many fruits and vegetables deliver nutrients that support skin health.
Some foods may even help protect your skin from sun damage. Tomatoes and watermelon, for example, contain lycopene, which acts like natural sunblock to protect skin from burning and developing wrinkles.
Here’s a list of some of the foods and their main nutrients that helps skin that you should add to your diet:
Avocados: their “healthy” fat content helps keeps skin moisturized and supple.
Salmon: this fatty fish (and others such as mackerel and sardines) delivers omega-3 fatty acids and may also decrease redness thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Dark Chocolate: chocolate made with at least 70% cocoa packs an antioxidant punch that is great for skin.
Sweet Potatoes: they contain beta-carotene that not only protects against sun damage, but can help your skin take on a warm, sunny glow.
You also can’t go wrong with any kind of leafy greens or berries; most contain vitamins A and C and anti-oxidants to keep skin smooth and protected.
Add a Collagen Supplement to Your Diet
Collagen is a natural protein in our body that adds buoyancy to our skin, keeping it plumped up. Starting as early as our twenties, however, our collagen levels start to decrease.
While there are many skin care products containing collagen that claim to stop sagging, collagen is more effective when it’s ingested. Many collagen supplements are made from grass-fed beef bones and are available in powder or tablet form.
Collagen is easy to digest and will actually benefit your hair, nails, and joints as well as your skin. Powder collagen is convenient as it dissolves easily in water or other beverages. See options here for purchasing collagen powder.
Go Easy on Sugar
It’s sad, but true: too much of your favorite dessert or sweet treat could be making you look older. Too much refined sugar can mess around with your collagen levels, trigger inflammation, and dry up oil in your pores. Even fruits that are high in natural sugar can have an adverse effect.
This doesn’t mean you need to give up sugar or stop eating fruit; it just means being more mindful of how much you consume during the day. Sugary beverages, certain yogurts, and other packaged foods contain sneaky sweetness that adds up during your daily consumption.
Get Enough Sleep
They call it beauty sleep for a reason. Ever noticed how sallow your skin looks when you haven’t gotten enough slumber?
That’s because not getting enough sleep drives up the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, leading to inflammation. As a result, sleep deprivation can make acne and psoriasis look worse.
Your circulation also slows down and your skin is prevented from receiving the hydration it would while sleeping. This is why sleep deprived people often have dark circles and bags under the eyes.
To always look well rested, aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. There are many ways to fall asleep fast if Mr. Sandman is elusive.
Follow These Skin Care Tips For a Better Complexion
Following these skin care tips should help you see a real difference in your complexion over time. You can fade discoloration and reduce wrinkles by using the right products, shielding yourself from the sun, and eating a healthy balanced diet.
Flawless End loves bringing you content that helps you look and feel your best. For more advice on achieving healthy skin, read our latest skin care posts.