Skin can often be dry in the winter months, and many people suffer from break-outs and irritated skin on a daily basis. Whilst being painful, it can also impact self-esteem. It can be difficult to know what exactly to do for your skin. There are many influencers and dermatologists online, and they often seem to give conflicting advice. However, here are some of the things you can do to improve your skin.
Take Supplements
The skin is an organ, and just like your heart, liver and lungs, it needs certain vitamins for it to be healthy. However, it can be difficult to get in all of these nutrients, especially when our lives get busy with work, socialising and raising children. Therefore, taking vitamin supplements can transform the health of your skin and reduce the amount of breakouts you get, and make your skin glow. Vitamin D is extremely important for skin health, but if you live in a less sunny climate, it can be hard to get this in. Other supplements with other vitamins and minerals can also transform your skin.
Eat a Healthy Diet
As aforementioned, it can be difficult to get your five-a-day when the stresses of life make it so much more difficult to prepare fresh food. The natural stressors of life make it much easier to eat on the go, but these options are often not as healthy as fresh food. However, there are many tips you can take to get more fresh food in your life. Preparing fruit pots at home or buying fruits like apples and bananas which you can just grab and go can ensure you can easily get more fruit in your life. Putting vegetables in recipes that you might not normally think of, like lasagne, chilli and curry can sneak vegetables in your day-to-day routine. Taking little steps like this can improve your diet, and make sure that you are getting the nutrients you need. By doing this you can make your skin much clearer.
Picking The Best Moisturiser
Moisturiser seals and protects the top layer of your skin, and should be applied twice a day whilst getting ready and before bed. It acts as a barrier to bacteria, polluted air and environmental stressors, which can wreak havoc on your skin. Picking the right moisturiser for your skin is incredibly important when it comes to skin health. If you have dry skin, you might be tempted to put on a lot of moisturiser. However, this can clog your pores and make your skin dryer. Ingredients like jojoba, candelilla and glycerin can massively soothe dry skin. If you have oily skin, ingredients such as squalane, hyaluronic acid, phytoceramides and glycerin can help your skin be healthy. Research your skin type to pick the best moisturiser possible to optimise your skin’s health.
Picking The Best Face Wash
How you wash your face can also impact your skin. Removing everyday dirt and sweat from your face twice a day can really transform the health of your skin. However, it’s important to research the ingredients in your face wash, so that you can cater to your skin type and needs. For example, dry skin can be treated with face washes that have ingredients such as squalane and avocado oil- these replenish the skin barrier and protect your face. If you have oily skin, face washes that have salicylic acid can help protect your skin against breakouts. If you have normal skin, look out for hyaluronic acid in your face wash- this can be beneficial for cleaning the skin adequately. By getting the best face wash, you can vastly improve the appearance of your skin.
Get a New Flannel
Harsh fibres used on your face can drag and pull on the skin, stressing it out and making it more prone to breakouts. By getting a soft flannel that won’t damage your face, you can improve the health of your skin. A good flannel can exfoliate the dirt and grease away from your face at the day, and prepare and protect your skin. Choosing washcloths with organic cotton, ultra fine microfiber or bamboo can be extremely beneficial for your skin. By picking the best washcloth for your skin you reduce irritation and bacteria from harming your skin.
Change Your Bedding
On average, we spend a third of our lives in bed. Skin and hair hate friction, and as you move around in your sleep the fabrics can damage your skin. Getting soft and non abrasive fabrics for your bedding can limit the amount of stressors put on the skin, which will limit break-outs and irritation. For acne breakouts, silk sheets are better as they are extremely soft on the skin, which will reduce irritation. If you have sensitive skin or eczema, cotton sheets are beneficial as it is naturally hypoallergenic. This can reduce itching, and can protect against dust mites which fight off dead skin cells. If you have clogged pores, linen sheets are also hypoallergenic and can stimulate the skin to ‘breathe’ more, which can result in a healthier looking complexion. By treating yourself to a new Duvet Cover Set, you can make your skin much healthier as a result.
Always Wear Sunscreen
Wearing SPF daily is a great way to protect the youth and health of your skin. Used regularly, sunscreen helps protect against sunburn, skin cancer, and ageing. UV Rays from the sun can impact and agitate the skin. Sun exposure with no barrier such as SPF can cause damage to your elastin, collagen and skin cells. This can cause discolouration and premature ageing. The UV rays can also irritate skin conditions such as psoriasis or rosacea. Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of over 30 or higher will protect your skin all year round and could protect the health of your skin. This is especially important when you are travelling in hotter climates, and if you get a lighter SPF rather than really thick ones, then they’ll still look great on your holiday photos!
Avoiding Smoking
The harmful chemicals in cigarettes can drastically damage the skin cells on your face. They can contribute to premature wrinkles and premature ageing of the skin. Smoking also increases melanin in the face, which can result in dark spots. Smoking can also be a risk factor for developing psoriasis and dermatitis. Skin cancer can also be more likely if you smoke. By giving up smoking, you can transform the health of your skin, which will be visible on your face.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Having a bad night’s sleep could be affecting your skin. This is because inadequate sleep increases your cortisol levels. This triggers inflammation, which prevents your skin from being smooth and glowing. When you don’t get enough sleep, the amount of collagen in your skin can be reduced. This is because your body is struggling to regain your hormonal balance. Lack of sleep can lower your PH levels, which can cause dry, irritated skin. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, and the amount of time spent on electronic devices before bed can help you have a better night’s sleep. Focusing on getting your full 7-9 hours can really help your skin become healthy and glowing.
By taking all of these steps, you will be able to get clearer skin in no time. These steps will also make you feel much healthier overall.
