There is something to be said about skincare commercials – taking care of your skin IS important.
Think about it…
Healthier lifestyle = healthier skin = a happier, more confident you.
And that is where true beauty lies – in your own feelings of self- worth and confidence. Feel comfortable in your own skin and this will naturally feed into your body language, behaviour and interactions with others. They will sense your go-lucky, happy attitude and will be drawn to your inner beauty.
Now, before you go spending a fortune on skincare products and lathering your skin in layers of moisturisers, creams and skin masks; you need to remember that skincare products are not your only way to achieve healthy skin.
By simply being more conscious about your environment; your dietary habits and how you treat and nourish your skin; you can take steps to achieve a level of beauty that will encourage a more confident you.
How a healthy lifestyle balance can ensure healthy skin
There are many things that can influence the condition of your skin. Gentle cleansing, sun protection, ensuring you get plenty of nutrients… all can help you to delay aging, prevent skin problems and achieve healthy, youthful, glowing skin.
- Sun protection – sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Knowing this, it makes sense that you should take steps to protect your skin and limit exposure.
– Use plenty of sunscreen – apply generously and make sure it has an SPF of at least 15. Typically you should reapply it every two hours, but this regularity will increase if you go swimming or if you’re sweating. REMEMBER: it is possible to get the tan you crave without damaging your skin. It is all about the protection you use.
– Shade – the sun’s rays are strongest between 10am to 4pm, so where possible avoid the sun and seek out shade.
– Protective clothing – we suggest covering your skin in tightly woven long sleeved shirts, long pants and wide brimmed hats. These will give your skin added protection. NOTE: we appreciate that these clothing options are not always ideal as you’re boiling hot. If that is the case, try to incorporate the above tips as best as you can to make up for this loss. Another thing to consider is the type of laundry detergent you use. Some contain additives that can offer clothing an extra layer of UV protection for a certain number of washes.
- Don’t smoke – smoking may make you feel calmer and more relaxed, but it can cause wrinkles and age your skin. This is due to it narrowing the tiny blood vessels within the outermost layers of your skin and reducing the amount of blood-flow and oxygen it receives. With time it can deplete your skin of nutrients and oxygen causing you to look paler and older. Similarly, repeatedly pursing your lips when you inhale and squinting can all add to the appearance of wrinkles.
Smoking is also known to damage collagen and elastin, affecting the elasticity and strength of your skin. More importantly, it can raise your chances of developing squamous cell skin cancer.
- Treat your skin carefully and with kindness – shaving, daily cleansing… all of these things can take a toll on the condition of your skin. So whilst it may initially look good, long term they can irritate and cause harm. For that reason, we suggest doing the following:
– Limit how long you shower or have a bath – hot water, long showers and baths can all remove essential oils from your skin. Now obviously you don’t want to skip a wash, but one thing you can do is use warm – not hot – water and limit how long you are in the bath/shower.
– Soaps – don’t use strong soaps or detergents as they can strip your skin of oils. Instead, aim to use mild cleansers to clean your skin.
– Shave carefully – to help protect your skin, lubricate it with shaving cream, lotion or gel before you shave. Next, to achieve a close shave use a clean, sharp razor and shave in the direction that your hair grows. Never shave against hair growth as this can irritate your skin.
– Pat dry – never rub your skin dry but gently pat it down with a towel. This allows some moisture to remain on your skin which is important for keeping it hydrated.
– Moisturise – if your skin is dry, pick a moisturiser that matches your skin type. In addition, consider using one that contains SPF (if you like to moisturise daily).
- Healthy diet – this is possibly the most important change you can make to help protect your skin. The key is eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
You should also consider your fat and carb intake. In terms of fats, you should aim to eat a diet that is rich in fish oil and low in unhealthy fats. Whilst with carbs, you should avoid eating processed or refined carbohydrates. Combined this can help to keep your skin looking younger and refreshed.
Other nutrients/things to consider:
– Water – you need water to help keep your skin hydrated (making wrinkles less noticeable); increase your cells nutrient intake; flush out toxins; reduce inflammation; support your metabolism and energy, and improve digestion and your mental performance. Make sure you drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day.
– Vitamin C – this antioxidant can protect your body from free radicals which can damage collagen and your skins elasticity. We suggest eating foods rich in this vitamin such as strawberries, blueberries, oranges, kiwis, papaya and sweet potatoes.
– Vitamin E – this vitamin can help to keep your skin healthy and youthful by protecting you from free radicals. Good sources of Vitamin E include almonds, avocadoes, hazelnuts, pine nuts, spinach and sunflower seeds.
– Selenium – alongside protecting you against skin cancer (caused by sun exposure), this mineral can also delay signs of aging by protecting your skins elasticity. Strong sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, fish, eggs, tomatoes, broccoli, shrimp and lamb.
– Vitamin A – most moisturisers contain this vitamin as it encourages your body to create more collagen which is responsible for skin elasticity and strength (and the prevention of wrinkles). Instead of a cream, consider increasing your intake of this vitamin by eating more carrots, oranges, cantaloupe, sweet potato, kale and squash.
– Omega-3 fats – these ‘good fats’ can reduce production of inflammatory compounds that can trigger the aging process. To keep you skin healthy eat more walnuts, flaxseed, canola oil, tuna and salmon. - Stress – uncontrolled stress can leave your skin feeling more sensitive and prone to acne breakouts/other skin conditions. That is why it is important that you get stress control. Sleeping well, setting reasonable limits, reducing your to-do list and making time for the things you love, can all help to alleviate stress and prevent any unwanted skin problems.
- Online professional beauty courses – you might be thinking ‘how can an online professional beauty course help me to achieve healthy skin?’ But think about it. Beauty therapists are trained to improve the health and appearance of skin. It’s their job! That means, they are aware of all the best treatments to nourish your skin; increase skin elasticity and alleviate skin conditions (acne, eczema, blemishes etc.) that can leave your skin feeling oily, dry or cracked. Instead, they can rejuvenate your skin and leave it feeling smoother, healthier and younger. Now the benefit of going on an online professional beauty course is that you can acquire all of these same skills, and use them on yourself!
- Don’t crash diet – these can take their toll on your skin, especially if your weight see-saws. Dramatic weight loss can leave your skin sagging, loose and prone to wrinkles, whilst sudden weight gain can cause stretch marks. Similarly, dieting can leave your body deficient of essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy skin.
The reality is – we don’t give our skin enough credit. We overlook its role as a barrier against every day environmental toxins (pollution, smog, smoke etc.) and its ability to preserve moisture and keep your body hydrated. We forget that it shields our blood and organs from contaminants and that it is our first line of defence against injury and the sun’s harmful rays. We ignore the fact that all of these can affect the health of our skin.
And this is a mistake! That is why, if you are serious about keeping your skin healthy, glowing and strong, you should consider incorporating the above tips into your routine. With their help you can boost your confidence, feel comfortable in your own skin and let your inner beauty shine through.
