Dos And Don’ts For Beautiful Skin
1. The Golden RuleDo: Make sure you always remove your makeup before hitting the sheets. The skin needs to breathe overnight. And makeup prevents that, as leaving it on overnight clogs the pores which may cause blemishes and/or blackheads. Don’t possess a makeup remover? Just put some olive oil on a cotton pad and gently massage the oil onto your face to get rid of the makeup and dirt.Don’t: Forget that exfoliation is indispensable. At least once or twice a week, exfoliate your skin to remove the layers of dead skin, sure to leave you with a more healthy glow and brighter skin. You can also apply a paste of walnut in powder form with yogurt to exfoliate your skin, as the antioxidants present in walnuts help remove dirt and promote radiant skin.
Never forget to exfoliate your skin and remove the makeup before calling it a night.Sun and SkinYou are What You EatSweat It Out!
Running, jogging and yoga will accelerate the cleaning process of your body.
5. Beauty Sleep
Do: Try to sleep at least 8 hours every night. If you don’t get enough shut eye, your skin gets tired just like you – it sags and you get bags. So don’t risk it. You can also apply honey on your face twice or thrice a week to naturally soothe and heal your skin.
Never pop your pimples. Use rose water or chilled green tea bags.Go Back to Your RootsSudarshan Kriya The more you meditate, the more you radiate.
Hydrate Immediately After Cleansing
Austin, Texasbased aesthetician Renée Rouleau says that one of the biggest skincare mistakes people make is waiting too long after washing to apply moisturizer. Whether it’s face or body lotion, “you have just a short window after cleansing to put on a hydrating product before moisture starts to evaporate,” says Rouleau. “If you let your skin dry completely, the water on your skin plus any moisture in your skin will start to get pulled into the air.”
Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends accelerating in the shower, too. “Long showers strip your natural oils. That’s why some people have a chronic itchy spot on their back.”
Pay Attention To Your Cleanser
It may sound counterintuitive, but if you have dry skin, your choice of face wash may be even more important than your moisturizer. “A nonsoap cleanser is ideal because it helps replace the moisture barrier in the skin,” Donofrio says.
“Consider it a preventive approach,” adds Berson. “You can use your cleanser to avoid dryness, eczema, and psoriasis, rather than just treating these issues when they flare up.” That said, applying a moisturizer after you cleanse is still smart. And if you’re using an acne medication, wait 10 minutes after you wash to minimize irritation.
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Practice A Facial Massage Routine
Not only does it feel enjoyable, but facial massage can lessen tension and increase circulation, thereby helping to keep skin cells healthy and aiding in lymphatic drainage. Commit to a daily facial gua sha routine or use a jade roller. It only takes a few minutes a day, and the post-facial massage glow will be so worth it.
Reassess Your Skincare Routine
Don’t go on autopilot with your skincare, says Dr. Marmur, who eschews a set routine in favor of amassing a mindful collection of products, then customizing day by day. “If my skin looks good and feels comfortable,” she says, “I use a lighter night cream. In October, when the barometer drops and my skin becomes drier, I choose a richer formula.” Similarly, several women mentioned their devotion to masks, which help them treat temporary conditions, like sensitivity and dryness. “I use an exfoliating clay mask followed by a hydrating mask when I’m having my morning coffee,” says Jessica Alba, the founder of Honest Beauty. Pamela Baxter, the founder of Bonafide Beauty Lab, alternates Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask to hydrate, with Sapelo Anti-Aging Enzyme Mask , to exfoliate, up to three times a week.
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Use Gentle Cleansing Devices
Exfoliation is important to help wash away dead skin cells, but some devices can be too abrasive and may actually harm the skin. Tools such as washcloths, rough sponges, or loofahs may be too rough for the skin, causing damage and irritation.
Some delicate options exist, such as soft cleansing brushes. Alternatively, using clean fingers to massage a cleanser into the face may help prevent extra irritation.
Clean Your Makeup Brushes
If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, that needs to change: As you use them, they quickly build up dirt, grime, and oil that can lead to breakouts. After every few uses, give them a nice cleanse using your regular facewash and lay them out to dry so they’re ready for their next use.
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Slather Turmeric All Over Your Face
People in India have been doing this for a thousand years. Theyre doing something right, because the anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric soften the skin, clear acne, reduce swelling, and diminish wrinkles.
So, how exactly can you slather turmeric all over your face? By making a turmeric face mask, of course! Heres how you can do this:
Mix together:
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 teaspoons rice flour OR finely ground oats
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
Slather the mixture on your clean face, and then let it dry. After 15-20 minutes, rinse it off. Try doing this once a week, and if it goes well, increase the frequency to every day or every other day.
Become Bffs With Phytonutrients
You might not have heard of phytonutrients yet, but they could become your skin’s savior. According to Karin Hermoni, PhD, nutrient complex category manager at Lycored, the substance found in plants can do everything from protect the skin to make it look more flawless.
“Natural phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables can support skin color and radiance and provide the first line of defense against different environmental challenges our skin is coping with,” Hermoni says. “They also help us elevate our natural beauty and glow.”
To reap the benefits, simply eat the rainbow and you’ll get a combination of different natural phytonutrients from fruits, vegetables, and spices.
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Skin Care Secrets For Healthier
These general skin care tips from dermatologists can benefit just about everyone.
Apply sunscreen every day before you go outdoors. Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. It really can slow down skin aging. It can also help prevent skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 , and water resistance.While it’s important to protect infants’ skin from the sun, the AAD recommends applying sunscreen ONLY to children who are 6 months and older.
Don’t smoke. Smoking speeds up how quickly your skin ages. If you smoke, your wounds will also take longer to heal. And research shows that smoking worsens some skin diseases, including psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Check your skin for skin cancer. Skin self-exams can help you find skin cancer early when it’s highly treatable. If you notice a spot that differs from the others, or one that changes, itches, or bleeds, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
Use a self-tanner if you like looking tanned. Anytime you tan indoors or outside, you prematurely age your skin. You also increase your risk of getting skin cancer. A self-tanner can give you the look you want without the risks. To keep your skin healthy, you want to protect it from the sun even when using a self-tanner.
Related AAD resources
Use A Moisturizer That Contains A Protectant
MacGregor explains, “Protectants seal in moisture.” She advises that they are best used after bathing when skin is damp and will more readily absorb the product. “The most common is petrolatum, but I also love Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm which is more spreadable ,” says MacGregor. If you’re really dry, she adds that you can even apply a body oil”Avene makes a fantastic luxurious one”before using your moisturizer.
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Then Hydrate And Protect
For more radiance, follow with a layer of moisturizer, like the GH Beauty Lab favorite Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. When skin is moisturized, it also reflects light, making it instantly appear more glowing. And be sure to shield skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ facial sunscreen or day cream, as exfoliation makes it more prone to sun damage, including dark spots. GH Beauty Lab test winner L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal SPF 30 also contains glycolic acid, a gentle exfoliant, as well as brightening vitamin C.
In topical skincare treatments like serums and moisturizers, look on the packagingfor terms such as brightening and skin tone-evening, and active skincare ingredients like:
- Vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens skin by blocking an enzyme that produces pigment, says GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Try GH Seal star No7 Early Defense Glow Activating Serum, made with vitamin C.
- Niacinamide slows pigment production to lighten dark spots, Wizemann says GH Beauty Lab test winner SkinCeuticals MetaCell Renewal B3 Serum is packed with it. Resorcinol and alpha-arbutin break down pigment for a more even skin tone, says Cynthia Price, M.D., a dermatologist in Phoenix. She suggests SkinBetter Science Even Tone Correcting Serum Face.
Daily application of these star brighteners can illuminate your complexion over time: Effects can be visible within a few weeks, with optimal results in about three months.
Exfoliate On The Regular
You don’t need to exfoliate often, but it does a lot of good for your skin when you do. According to the AAD, all you need to get rid of the dead skin cells all over your body is a washcloth and a gentle scrub. For super-soft skin, get in the shower and work the product in using small circular motions for around 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water. Just make sure to moisturize afterward since the process can be pretty drying.
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Always Wash Your Face Before Bed
I don’t care how tired you are, you are NOT allowed to sleep in your makeup. Trust me, your future, pimple-free self will thank you. Wash your face for 30 to 45 seconds every night with a nickel-size amount of face wash.
Oh, and by the way, there’s actually a chance that you’re washing your face all wrong. Watch this video from dermatologist Liv Kraemer to learn all the ins and outs of proper face-washing:
Be Patient With Your Products
We’re all in a hurry to see instant results, but it can take time for products to create an effect. When you’re starting a new product that contains active ingredients, use it every other day, and never try a few new buys at once.’Even if you just got a new skincare system, introduce one product every three to four days at the most,’ says Cook-Bolden. ‘You’ll rarely experience dryness, irritation, and burning. And if you do, you’ll know right away who the culprit is.’
Give any new potion at least 12 weeks to see if it’s really improving your skin before calling it quits. If your skin is breaking out and looking dull, try switching to natural beauty products for a while and let your pH balance level out again.
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Check Your Medicine Cabinet
Some oral contraceptives, antibiotics, fertility drugs, and antiseizure medications can bring on breakouts, says Jerome Litt, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beachwood, Ohio. Antihistamines, diuretics, and some antidepressants can cause dry skin. And certain antibiotics, diuretics, and diabetes treatments can make you vulnerable to sun damage. “If you find your skin is reacting more while you’re taking a particular drug, talk to your physician,” says Dr. Litt. “He or she may be able to either lower the dosage or switch you to a different medication.”
Take Care Of Your Gut
Research shows that underlying gut health issues can manifest on the skin in many ways, from blemishes to flushing. The connection even has a name: the gut-skin axis. Overall gut health is nuanced and complex, and it’s important for everyone to take the time to learn how to care for and nourish your own unique gut flora. However, for the purpose of this article, here’s a general guideline: Anything that’s not healthy for your gut can lead to gut microbial imbalance and trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory processes, not just in the gut, but throughout the body. Over time, left unchecked, these imbalances can also manifest as skin issues. Also, see: Here’s why you should heal your gut if you want clear skin.
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Cut Back On The Booze
If youre already partaking in dry Jan then give yourself an extra pat on the back because it’s doing your skin the world of good.
You see drinking causes your glow to fade into oblivion. How? Well, you know how vitamin A revs up skin cell turnover so that new and light-reflecting skin cells are pushed to the surface? Alcohol deprives the skin of vitamin A by preventing its absorption and speeding up its breakdown as well as reducing its storage in the skin reveals Dr David Jack, leading aesthetic doctor.
Yet, alcohols biggest skin sin is dehydration. In the kidneys, alcohol increases water loss by suppressing the hormone vasopressin which helps you to reabsorb water adds Dr Jack. The knock-on effect is that skin cells effectively dry out leading to sallowness, inflammation and more prominent lines.
Sweat It Out With Regular Exercise
So youre already eating more veggies and sleeping better, but your journey to a healthier lifestyle and smoother skin wont be complete without adding regular exercise to your routine. Exercise induces more blood volume to be pumped through the vessels of the face, leading to more micronutrients and healing properties to the facial skin, says Dr. Guanche. It also helps reduce inflammation, regulate skin-significant hormones and prevent free radical damage. Plus, sweating is also a great way to purge pores of debris!
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Go Hard On Your Vitamin D Levels
Only be allowed out once a day means your body isnt exposed to the UVB rays it needs to naturally produce vitamin D. This is bad news for your skin as this sunshine vitamin has an anti-inflammatory effect on healthy skin, helping to protect against free radicals and even help prevent acne.
Adding an oral vitamin D supplement to your beauty arsenal can make all the difference. If it contains trace minerals then even better as these help to boost skins protection levels. Vital to forming the bodys natural antioxidants, they protect the mechanisms of healthy, radiant skin.
How Can I Achieve Fabulous Skin
Everyone has a favourite face cream or treatment, but theres no denying that beautiful skin starts with nourishment from within. Older skin cells are constantly being shed and replaced, which means a steady supply of nutrients is essential to support this rapid turnover. Eat the correct balance of foods and you’ll feed your skin and help keep it soft, supple and blemish-free.
That said, as much as we may try to resist it, our skin naturally ages. Wrinkles and age spots are inevitable, but skin ageing may be sped up by overexposure to the sun, tanning beds, harsh soaps, chemicals and poor diet. With this in mind, a holistic approach is best.
Treat your skin well and optimise your nutrition by eating a varied and balanced diet including antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, healthy fats from oily fish and nuts, and adequate hydration.
Read on for our 10 top tips on eating your way to glowing skin…
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Know When To Call A Dermatologist
To tackle stubborn skin hyperpigmentation issues such as large or numerous dark spots and melasma for long-lasting clarity, visit a board-certified dermatologist, who can recommend the best options for you. These can include prescription topical products, in-office medical skincare treatments like professional facial peels, microdermabrasion and lasers, or a combination of therapies, says Pearl E. Grimes, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA in Los Angeles.
For sun damage, like dark spots and pigmentation from acne scars, lasers such as broadband light and intense pulsed light are very effective, Dr. Price says. Procedures like microneedling, an intensive form of exfoliation, as well as a series of chemical peels, work best for melasma.
Use A Clean Pillowcase
If you cant remember the last time you changed your pillow cover, then you should probably change it right now. Dirty pillowcases tend to harbour a lot of grime, oil and bacteria from your hair, skin and shirt, and can cause your skin to break out. Therefore, we highly recommend you change your pillow covers at least once a week to notice the difference in your skin.
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Or Physically Exfoliate With A Konjac Sponge
“You dont need aggressive exfoliation to get rid of dry skin. In fact, over-exfoliating can make it worse!” warns Lortscher. “A gentle way to physically exfoliate your skin is with a konjac sponge, made from fibers of the root of the Asian konjac plant. The sponges may be used to cleanse the face, either with plain water or combined with a small amount of any facial cleanser. They have a mild exfoliating effect, yet are typically soft, and gentle on the skin.”
In terms of when and where to use a Konjac sponge, Lortscher says, “Although commonly paired with a cleanser to exfoliate the face, it can be used in the shower to exfoliate rough flaky parts of your body.”