The way you treat yourself has a considerable effect on how your skin looks. You don’t necessarily have to shell out a lot of cash for aesthetic procedures or follow an expensive skin care routine. The fountain of youth is comprised of good skincare habits and healthy lifestyle choices.
How to Maintain a Healthy Skin
Here are five no nonsense ways to maintain a healthy skin.
1. Eat healthily
The impact of empty-calorie foods not only end at your waistline. Poor nutrition affects your organs, including your skin, which is the largest organ in the body. Processed foods containing refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, and a bewildering list of additives promote inflammation and accelerate skin aging. So, how do you nosh without hurting your skin?
Be smart in the kitchen and whip up meals using whole ingredients. You can reap skincare nutrients by incorporating the following foods to your diet:
- Fruits and vegetables
Be sure to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables as they provide a plethora of antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals.
For instance, yellow and orange foods, such as papaya, mangoes, and squash supply beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A protects skin cells from sun damage and cell death. High amounts of vitamin A also adds a radiant glow to your skin. You can also get vitamin A from green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach.
Don’t forget to snack on nuts and seeds, as these crunchy tidbits supply vitamin E to keep your skin strong and supple. Vitamin E is best combined with vitamin C, which you can obtain from citrus fruits. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, which is also the main structural component in collagen production.
- Healthy fats
Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fishes is essential to reduce inflammation and keep skin bouncy and smooth. You can also acquire healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, seeds, and nuts. These foods also supply vitamin E and zinc.
- Dark chocolate
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Cocoa is rich in antioxidants that protect your skin against sunburn and wrinkles. It also improves blood flow and skin texture. However, be sure to eat dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to reap its benefits and keep added sugar to a minimum.
- Red wine and green tea
Red wine and green tea also have antioxidants that help block the chemical reactions that lead to premature skin aging and sun damage.
2. Use natural skin care products
Treat your skin with utmost care by avoiding strong soaps. Be sure to use skin care products containing natural ingredients, such as papaya.
Papaya is an all-in-one skincare ingredient. As a mild exfoliating agent, it decongests your skin by sloughing off dead skin cells, as well as digging up sebum, dirt, and debris that clog your pores. Likewise, papaya is rich in vitamins C, A, and E. Vitamin A promotes skin clarity, while the powerful combination of C and E keeps your skin firm and bouncy. Papaya also helps lighten the skin, as an added bonus. Furthermore, this rule also applies to facial creams and body lotions.
3. Ditch bad shower habits
Be sure to use warm water when bathing. If you need to shave your legs, lubricate your skin first. Then shave the direction your hair grows. Then finish off with a quick blast of cold water. This will help minimize pores and lock in moisture. A steaming hot shower is relaxing but it dries out the skin by stripping off your skin’s natural lipids. It also increases skin sensitivity.
Most importantly, make sure to replace your loofah, razor, and towels regularly. These items are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
4. Manage stress
Our emotions can have a negative or positive impact on our skin. Stress ages your skin far more than the ravages of time. When you’re stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. This stress hormone taxes your organs and hence, it disrupts normal cell production and cell turnover. So whenever you feel down in the dumps, grab a dark chocolate bar or hang out with your friends to get a good laugh.
5. Protect yourself from the sun
Before you head out to meet your friends over coffee and some good jokes, make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen on your face and body. This is among the most important things you can do for your skin in a lifetime of sun exposure. If you are currently using whitening products, consider wearing protective clothing while you’re out in the sun. it is also wise to use an umbrella between 10 AM to 4 PM when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Conclusion
“Laughter is the best medicine,” they say. Since this saying has some medical validity to it, smile and laugh your way to healthy skin! But don’t forget that the food you eat also has a big impact on your complexion. So prepare meals using whole, natural ingredients. Likewise, you should apply this rule when choosing skincare products. Chemical ingredients may promise faster results, but the effects are short-lived compared to natural ingredients. Most importantly, natural skincare products ensure side effects are at a minimum or none at all.