The skin is the outer protective layer of the body of any animal including human, it's appearance could either speak positively (if it is healthy) or negatively (if it is unhealthy) of the bearer. Hence, maintaining a healthy skin is very essential as a human being and this can be achieved by adopting good skin care and healthy life style choices which can help delay the natural aging process and various skin problems. Below are 15 tips to maintain a healthy skin:
1. PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN
One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems, as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
Use sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.
Seek shade: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing (which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays).
2. TREAT YOUR SKIN GENTLY
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:
Limit bath time: Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm, rather than hot water.
Avoid strong soaps: Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
Shave carefully: To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
Pat dry: After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
Moisturize dry skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET
A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear, but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.
4. QUIT SMOING
Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin (the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity). In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking (such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke) can contribute to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.
5. MANAGE STRESS
Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin (and a healthy state of mind) take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.
6. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Drink plenty of water, your skin is made of water so therefore, drinking more water will be highly favourable to the skin.
7. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE MORE OFTEN
Avoid touching your face often. Doing this can spread serious bacteria that causes your pores to get irritated from getting on your face.
8. WASH YOUR FACE REGULARLY
Wash your face before you go to bed, and after you get up in the morning. Before you go to bed, splash warm water and cold water on your skin. For better results when you expose yourself to water on your face let, the liquid air dry. There can be a bacteria on the towel you use to dry your face.
9. WASH YOUR PILLOW CASE ALWAYS
Wash your pillow cases often. Doing this can prevent breakouts (Acne) towards your skin.
10. CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES
A study have found that most women never wash their brushes or sponges, even though they collect dirt and bacteria which can cause breakouts. "You should wash loose powder brushes every two to three weeks, and those used to apply foundation once a week. Mix a couple of drops of gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup, swish your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay flat to air dry.
11. SANITIZE YOUR SMARTPHONE
Smart phones you can't keep your hands off of can get more germ-infested than a toilet in a public toilet. In fact, the glass touch-screens on mobile devices are so good at spreading viruses that sharing them may be almost as bad as sneezing in someone's face. Here's a scary thought: All those germs land right on your cheek and jawline every time you chat away, causing spots and irritation. To keep your phone (and face) bacteria-free, wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes a few times a day.
12. DROP DAIRY FROM YOUR DIET
"Dairy products (even those that are organic) contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne". Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skimmed milk. "The hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option."
13. DON'T NEGLECT YOUR NECK AND CHEST
Most of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we hit our chin. And our neglected neck and chest take vengeance by wrinkling, sagging, and displaying dark spots that beg to be hidden by a turtleneck. The skin on these areas is thinner, and doesn't have a strong blood supply, so it doesn't heal well. Plus it's an area that we often forget to protect with sunscreen. Use the same products as you would on your face, but start lightly (every other day) when applying active ingredients like retinols or acids since they may cause some initial irritation.
14. STRIP OFF YOUR MAKE UP BEFORE GOING TO BED
Leaving makeup and dirt on skin doesn't just clog pores; it can cause excessive dryness and even skin dandruff. Most makeup contains a sugar-type molecule that can grow yeast overnigh. Don't forget to thoroughly remove eye makeup too because it can lead to bumpy rashes around the eyes or small white bumps called milia cyst.. Try Rinse-Off Eye Makeup before going to bed.
15. STAY OFF HOT WATER
A steamy shower may feel great, but it's one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Not only does the heat strip essential oils, but it creates a mild burn. Blood vessels respond by dilating in an effort to cool the skin, causing flushing and ruddiness. When you're in your twenties, you can take a hot shower, be red & swollen and recover in an hour, but in your thirties, it may take 2 hours. By your forties, your skin just doesn't have the ability to shrink back to its original state so you stay ruddy all the time.
Source: http://enhancedfact.blogspot.com.ng/2015/11/15-tips-to-maintain-healthy-skin.html
