The skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it is perhaps the most abused of all. It’s not that we abuse our skin on purpose – it’s just that the skin is exposed to the elements most of the time. We may not be aware of it, but every day that we live, we expose our skin to abrasive elements, making the wear and tear inevitable.
There are many ways by which we can consciously act to protect our skin. I am not talking about merely your face, as this is usually the focus when the topic of skin care is raised. Your arms, your neck – the skin covering your entire body needs some loving care and attention if you want to have that youthful and healthy glow for as long as you can.
Let’s take a look at 10 tips that can help you achieve just that.
Wear protective clothing.
There’s not hiding from the sun’s harmful rays. Even if the climate in your area is not usually hot, the sun still shines and with its warmth comes harmful rays. These rays will not damage your skin instantly, but you will definitely see the effect over time. By the time you see the effect, it is probably too late to do anything about it.
The solution is simple: make sure that you wear protective clothing when you go out, especially if it’s for extended periods of time. If you expect to stay out in the sun (except at the beach, of course), opt for long-sleeved shirts and long pants. There are even special kinds of material that are UV-protected and are meant to keep you cool.
Wear sunscreen.
This is a no-brainer. Any beach person would know that wearing sunscreen is vital. However, the beach is not the only place where you need to put on sunscreen. Even as you go about doing your daily tasks, your skin will benefit largely if you use sunscreen. As mentioned in the first point, the sun’s rays can cause damage over time. Wearing sunscreen on your face, neck, arms, and other unprotected parts of your body will help lessen the effects of the sun.
Don’t smoke. If you do, then quit.
Smoking is a nasty habit – we all know that. It is also true that once you pick up this habit, it is quite difficult to quit. Here’s another reason to motivate you to quit smoking: smoking makes your skin look bad. What happens is that the chemicals found in cigarettes cause the blood vessels on the skin to constrict. This results in older-looking skin and wrinkles. Convinced yet?
Don’t wash your face too often.
Washing one’s face is important. However, you must realize that there is such a thing as over washing as well. Dermatologists advise that you wash your face no more than two times in a day. Washing more than that can cause your skin to become dry and irritated. Those who have acne problems may even see their problem getting worse.
Use gentle soaps and cleansers.
In line with the previous point, make sure that the products you use to wash your face and body are as gentle as possible. Avoid strong soaps and cleansers as they will strip the oil from your skin, which is actually part of its natural protection. Without this layer of natural protection, you may experience all sorts of skin problems.
Moisturize!
Yes, moisturizing your skin is essential. Whether you are male or female, the need for moisturizers is real. Naturally, if you have dry skin, you will need richer moisturizers; but this does not mean that if you do not have dry skin, you should forego moisturizers all together. Whether you live in the city or the country, merely going out of the house can be taxing on your skin. The solution is to make sure that you keep your skin healthy by using the right kind of moisturizer for your skin type. It is important that you determine your skin type so that you can benefit from the kind of moisturizer that you use.
Go easy when shaving.
Shaving is not solely a man’s activity. For one reason or another, people need to get rid of that unsightly body or facial hair. When you do shave, make sure that you use some sort of lubricant – shaving gel or cream is the best as these products already contain moisturizers. Do not merely use soap and water as doing so may only irritate your skin. More so, when you shave, make sure to not to shave against the growth of the hair. Do the opposite, and your skin will thank you for it.
Eat well.
There is truth in the idea that healthy skin begins from the inside, and what better way to work from than the inside than having a healthy diet? While there are no solid associations between certain food and healthy skin, the general consensus of the medical community is that a diet loaded with Vitamin C contributes to healthy skin. Also, a diet that is low in fat will help you achieve the results that you are yearning for. The bottom line is this: eat well and it will show on the outside.
Get enough sleep.
Another way of working on healthy skin from the inside is to make sure that you get enough sleep. I don’t really need to dwell on this as anyone who has had sleepless nights will know how horrible one can look because of it. A good night’s sleep does wonders not only for your skin, but for your overall well being, too.
Manage your stress levels.
Of course, stress has to be included in this list. We all have our levels of stress, no matter what kind of life we live. The key lies in being able to deal with this stress in an effective and efficient manner. Try a stress-busting hobby or two. You need to be able to get away from the rigors of daily living. If you’ve been running on empty for a while, try to find ways to relax, and you will be surprised at how much healthier your skin will be.