If you take good care of your skin, it will glow. Learn about gentle cleaning, sun safety, and more.
You don’t have the time to do intensive skin care? You can still treat yourself. Healthy lifestyles and basic skin care can prevent premature ageing. Start with these five tips.
1. Sun protection is important
Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best ways to care for it. Sun exposure over a lifetime can lead to wrinkles, age marks, and other skin issues. This can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
The most comprehensive sun protection:
- Wear sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of at least 30. Apply more sunscreen every 2 hours or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating.
- Find shade. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when UV rays (ultraviolet) are at their strongest.
- Protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, pants and hats with wide brims. Darker colours provide more protection. Some clothing designed to protect against the sun is UV-blocking. Additives that protect clothing from UV rays can be used in the laundry.
2. Don’t smoke
Smoking can make skin appear older and contribute to wrinkle formation. Smoking causes the blood vessels to narrow in the outermost layer of skin. It also makes the skin look duller. The skin is also deprived of nutrients and oxygen that are essential for healthy skin.
Smoking damages collagen and elastin fibres that give the skin its strength and suppleness. The facial expressions people use while smoking, which they repeat over and over again, can also contribute to wrinkles. This includes squinting your eyes and pursing your lips to avoid inhaling smoke.
Smoking increases the risk of developing squamous-cell skin cancer. This is especially true for the lips. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to protect your skin. Your healthcare professional can offer you tips and treatments to help you stop smoking.
3. Treat your skin gently
Your skin can become dry and rough after shaving or cleansing your face. Use these gentle tips to care for your skin:
- Limit bathing time. According to some experts, it is best not to bathe for more than 5 minutes at a stretch. Warm water is better than hot.
- Do not use harsh soaps. Detergents and soaps that are too strong can remove oil from your skin. Instead, use mild cleaners.
- Use caution when shaving. The best time to shave is after a bath when the skin is still moist. To help protect your skin, put on shaving cream, lotion, or gel before you start shaving. Sharp, clean razors are best. Shave against the direction of hair growth, not in it. Rinse the razor between each stroke.
- Blot or pat your skin with a towel after you have washed or bathed. This will allow some moisture to remain on your skin.
- Moisturize your dry skin. If your skin is very dry, use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Try a daily moisturizer with SPF. It will help protect your skin against the sun.
4. Eat a healthy diet
You can look and feel better with a balanced diet. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Fresh fruits and veggies can be particularly helpful in preventing skin damage that could lead to premature ageing. To keep your skin hydrated, drink plenty of water. Limit sugary drinks, processed snacks and refined carbohydrates. According to some studies, a diet rich in refined carbohydrates stripped of nutrients can accelerate ageing.
It’s not clear what the connection is between diet and acne. Some research has linked acne to eating a lot of processed food or drinking a lot of milk, which quickly raises blood sugar. Some research indicates that omega-3 fats and fibre, for example, may help control acne. More research is needed.
5. Manage stress
Stress can cause skin to become more sensitive, causing acne and other skin conditions.
Take steps to reduce your stress levels and improve your skin’s health.
- Sleep enough.
- Include more activity in your day. For example, take a quick walk.
- Scale back your to-do list.
- Try yoga or meditation.
- Spend time with the people and things that you love.
Your skin’s results may be much more dramatic than expected.