Our skin is a very precious thing, and one thing that most of us have in common is that we want our skin to look good. This obsession with skin starts at an early age – usually adolescence. Most teenagers are horrified if they see so much as a pimple rear its ugly hear, and yet this is probably the worst time to become obsessed with skin because of the hormonal changes that can lead to all sorts of skin problems. Older people, particularly women, also tend to become obsessed with skin, and billions of dollars are spent each year on anti-aging skin creams to try and give skin that youthful look and elasticity again.
The truth is that our skin is able to reflect practically everything we feel. If you feel stressed, the chances are your skin will suffer. If you are dehydrated, your skin will also look and feel dehydrated. If you eat a poor diet and live an unhealthy lifestyle, this can often show through your skin. Even when we are feeling run down or ill, our skin is the first giveaway to other people. This proves that skin care is not all about creams, lotions, and potions – although they do play their part – but about health and good living as well.
Clear, fresh, glowing skin is something we all dream of – men as well as women – and although there are no guarantees, a healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, and a good skincare regime are amongst the things that can help your skin look good at any age. Below, you will find a number of ways in which you can keep your skin looking better and feeling better for longer.
Diet
Diet plays in important part in the way our skin looks and feels. That’s because our skin relies on a variety of mineral and vitamin in order to retain its glow and elasticity. If you are continually binging on burgers and junk food, the chances are that you are not getting anywhere near the amount of nutrients you need. Make sure that your diet incorporates plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, which are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Also, eat sensibly, which means no faddy diets or starving yourself to lose weight. A healthy, balanced diet can ensure that your weight is regulated and will provide maximum benefit to the skin.
Water and smoking
You may not think that water and smoking are related in any way, but they have one thing in common – they can both have a profound effect on the skin but in very different ways. It is important to drink plenty of water to keep both the body and the skin hydrated. Many people drink far less water than they need to for optimum health effects, and it is important that you cut down on sugary and caffeine packed drinks and switch to fresh fruit juice and water to treat your skin. Smoking is quite the opposite – this is something you need to stop if you want to enjoy great skin for longer. Smoking can result in loss of elasticity and premature wrinkling as well as the more obvious dangers such as cancers and heart disease.
Illness and stress
It is important to look after yourself in every way possible in order to minimize on adverse health effects. Although many illnesses can’t be helped, you can help to cut down on more common ailments by looking after yourself. Take multi vitamins to keep the immune system healthy, eat well and healthily, and take time to relax each and every day. Don’t let stress get the better of you, as this can lead to poor skin condition, so it is important to tackle stress as early as possible if you feel that things are getting too much.
Skin care routine
This is the one aspect of skin care that most people are familiar with – the washing, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing part. There are plenty of products available these days, which is why skincare has become a multi-billion dollar industry. You should make sure that you select the products that suit your skin. If you have dry skin, there are plenty of dry skin products out there, and the same for oily, combination, or sensitive skin. Select a good facial bar or wash, a suitable cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer. You may want to select a night cream and a separate daytime moisturizer, as the day cream is much lighter and more suited to wear under make up.
Sun damage
Although most people love to revel in the sun, this is truly the skin’s nemesis. The damaging UV rays of the sun can cause a variety of damage o the skin, most notably skin cancer. In addition to this, sun damage can result in discoloration, premature wrinkling and loss of elasticity, and burning of the skin.
