The glow of a new year is here, and it’s prime time to get those resolutions going. If you’ve been having a rough time with your skin recently, or if you simply want to make a few improvements to your care regimen, now is the perfect time to review healthy skin basics. Check out the following tips to help with your regular routine and product use.
Cleansing
We put our skin through a lot. Environmental factors like the climate and weather, pollution in urban areas, and even the temperature and humidity conditions in our own homes all affect the skin. On top of this, make-up is layered on and removed, day-in-and-day-out. Plus, internal stressors change the condition of skin, too. Proper cleansing is a pivotal part of a healthy skin care routine.
Avoid harsh chemicals when washing that can promise certain benefits but may actually irritate the skin. It’s always necessary to moisturize after washing the face, especially in winter when the air is so dry.
Moisturizing
In all seasons, after cleansing, it’s pivotal to re-moisturize, even if your cleanser features hydrating properties. When the skin is too dry, it doesn’t only become tight, flaky, and reddened, but dehydration triggers an increased production of sebum to try and compensate. This can cause breakouts and blackheads. If you’re using a drying spot treatment for pimples, be sure to only place it directly on the spot and not the rest of the skin, and, if possible, try to avoid drying formulas altogether.
Don’t forget about the skin on the rest of your body, especially the hands. The all natural hand creams from Grown Alchemist are ultra-hydrating without any of the toxins found in drugstore products. High quality treatments also moisturize nails which helps strengthen them and prevents breakage and peeling. And a pure scent is a lovely bonus.
Sun protection of at least SPF 15, and ideally SPF 30, should be worn all year to protect against sun damage and premature signs of aging. Find a moisturizer for the face that contains protection instead of applying a second product.
Diet & Exercise
It’s easy to become focused on what great products can do for our skin topically that we can forget about nourishing healthy skin from the inside. What we eat and drink is the foundation of our skin, which is in fact a large organ.
Research shows that eating a heavily or completely plant-based diet is the best for skin health and clarity. Eat a wide variety of colours of fruits and vegetables, 100% whole grains, legumes like beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and, if you eat animal products, low-fat dairy, lean meats and wild seafood. Drink plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out.
Exercise promotes skin health through increased circulation, sweating out toxins and free radicals, and a reduction of stress and associated stress hormones like cortisol. (See more about how physical activity helps here.)
Managing Stress
It’s a tall order to make stress disappear entirely, but stress can instead be managed. Getting a proper night’s sleep, exercising, and eating healthy foods all make a huge difference in the length and quality of sleep that is possible. Self care and activities like meditation, yoga, and enjoying a rest with an herbal tea are calming and focusing as well.
Combine the above tips together, and this year you’ll see an improvement in the condition of your skin quickly!
