The skin is the single largest organ of the human body. Caring for it is not a matter to be taken lightly. Healthy, well-treated skin is attractive and a source of self-esteem. Taking care of this great big organ is really a matter of simple little tasks – here are just a few of them.
To avoid breakouts or discoloration of your skin, never go to bed with your makeup on. Even oil-free makeup can clog pores and affect the tone and clarity of your skin. If you just do not have the energy to give your face a thorough wash after a long day, then stock up on cleanser cloths. One quick swipe could make all the difference.
If you suffer from enlarged pores and excessively oily skin, consider cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink. Research by dermatologists has shown that alcohol consumption in excess of about one drink a day has been linked to increased oil production and larger pores. Excessive alcohol consumption has other health effects as well, so it’s better to be safe and limit your drinking.
To ensure the healthiest skin all over your body, limit the amount of time you spend in the shower or bath. Hot water is a drying agent, removing healing oils from your skin. Instead, bathe in warm water, use a moisturizing soap, and get out of the water as soon as you are clean.
One of the best things you can do to care for your skin, is to check the label on the products that you buy. The less ingredients they contain, the better they will be for your skin. Try using aloe vera juice, combined with a splash of jojoba oil for a healthy glow.
Toner is one of the best things that you can use on your skin. A great toner will help to get rid of the impurities on your skin and even out the look of your face. Apply toner after you wash your face in the shower and follow with a top quality moisturizer with SPF.
When thinking about skin care regimens, many people seem to forget an important part of their skin, their lips. Chapped and crack lips can be a pain. In order to combat chapped and cracked lips, use a moisturizer on them. Lip balms and chap sticks can be applied daily and prevent damage to the lip tissue.
To protect your cells from oxygen damage, be sure to eat foods that contain riboflavin-B2. Riboflavin-B2 helps the glutathione molecule, which prevents oxygen-based damage, to function properly. Without it, joint tissue and cell membranes can be damaged. Foods high in cell riboflavin-B2 include spinach, soybeans, and beef liver. Goat’s milk is also a good source.
For radient, great-looking skin, make sure you’re avoiding the sun during the hottest hours of the day. If you must be outside between 10 am and 4pm, apply plenty of sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours – trust us, your skin will thank you!
To rejuvenate your skin, use a loofah regularly to help the body shed dead skin cells. Getting rid of the dead skin can lighten the acne and the marks, along with giving you a healthy glow. Dead skin cells are dry and often rest in crevices, making you look older. Cleaning away any dead cells is a great way to improve the skin on your face.
Be gentle to your skin. Exfoliating or scrubbing your face too often is not good at all for your skin. Gently massage your face with cleansers or facial scrubs in an upward circular motion. Skin loses its elasticity as you age and scrubbing too hard can actually cause sagging skin on your face.
Don’t forget that even in the winter, the sun can still damage your skin. Be sure to keep using sunscreen even when it’s cold outside. While the sun is not as strong during the winter, the combination of its rays and the reflected glare from the snow can still cause sunburn.
One of the best fruits that you can consume for healthy skin is plums. Plums taste great and contain a lot of antioxidants, which destroy the free radicals and bacteria that is stuck in your body. Have a plum in the morning before work to kick start your skin clearing regimen each day.
If you are considering applying thick and greasy Vitamin E oils and creams to your skin to reduce the appearance of facial scarring, think twice. Studies have shown that in oily or acne-prone skin, applying Vitamin E oil can actually increase the likeliness of scarring by triggering excessive oil production, which then makes the skin more susceptible to bacterial growth.
A humidifier is a great device to buy and keep in your house, especially during those dry winter months. The heat produced by your furnace evaporates the moisture in the air, which can cause your skin to become dry and cracked and leave a buildup of static electricity in your hair. Whatever rooms you spend most of your time in should get humidifiers.
Tanning causes skin cancer, liver spots, wrinkles and other damage to your skin. Whether you are tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed, your skin will suffer bad effects. If you must have a tan, get the spray-on kind; however, you will look far more attractive displaying the self-confidence to proudly wear the skin tone you already have!
Skin care is like any big job – really it is just a bunch of little jobs. The preceding tips are only some of the little jobs you can integrate into an effective skin care routine. Take advantage of the ones that feel right to you, and always be on the lookout for more little skin jobs.
