How To Take Care Of Your Skin and Have It Looking Its Best

If you want to look your best, it’s important to pay attention to the health of your skin from the inside out. In addition to eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise, you should also take certain steps in how you care for your skin to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Read on for some simple ways to make sure your skin looks its best!

Eat Right

You have probably heard countless times that a good diet is important for your skin. But what does that mean? The exact diet for you will depend on many factors, such as your age, how active you are, whether or not you are pregnant or nursing, etc. However, some general guidelines can be used for most people. For example: include at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables; limit red meat; drink plenty of water; exercise regularly; don’t smoke cigarettes (this causes premature aging as well); stay out of the sun as much as possible (these aren’t your grandparents’ wrinkles). Don’t go crazy with supplements—your body does best when it gets nutrients from real food.

Get Enough Sleep

A healthy skincare routine starts with getting enough sleep. Sufficient rest is essential for your body, which repairs itself while you’re unconscious. Sleep also plays a role in producing serotonin, which boosts your mood, making you more positive. Without it, you’re more likely to overindulge in unhealthy foods and beverages like alcohol or soda—or worse, reach for addictive substances like drugs or tobacco. An adequate amount of shut-eye is also key because it makes your skin look plumper by increasing blood flow under its surface. You can set an alarm to go off every morning when you wake up—the sound will help jolt you out of deep sleep so that you don’t feel groggy all day long.

Wear Sunscreen

Many of us don’t bother with sunscreen because we aren’t planning on being in direct sunlight, but there are some rays that can get through even when it doesn’t seem sunny. UVA rays can penetrate clouds, glass, and water (hence their name)—so if you want your skin to look its best, you need to protect it from both UVB and UVA. Experts recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, but everyone is different. Some may need daily protection while others may only need it every other day—which is why you should check with your dermatologist about how often you should be wearing sunscreen for your specific needs.

Cleanse Properly

Cleaning your skin is an essential step in any skin care routine. But different types of cleansers work better for specific skin types. For oily or acne-prone skin, gel cleansers work best. They're non-drying and gentle, which is ideal for these conditions. Normal or combination skin can be sensitive so you'll want to steer clear of products with lots of oil in them that could clog pores and lead to breakouts. The same goes for dry skin—oil tends to draw moisture from the air, making it counterproductive for drying conditions. Cleanse twice a day: This should be standard practice with most moisturizers; if you skip cleansing once a day, chances are you aren't doing enough for your face overall.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water is a critical factor in keeping your skin healthy. The exact amount you need will vary depending on your weight, but at a minimum aim for half your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be drinking at least 75 ounces of water each day. (That’s 10 glasses!) You’ll also want to make sure that your water is free from contaminants; look for an especially pure source or filter it yourself. Water should be consumed regularly—not just during meals!—and doesn’t need to be accompanied by food for optimal benefit. H2O consumption has shown promise in helping with a wide range of skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea and more.

Use a Toner

You may not think of toner as a skin-care product, but it actually helps keep oiliness at bay. You’ll want to use a toner right after you wash your face, before you apply lotion or serum. The best time is right after a hot shower. Many people recommend using witch hazel as a natural toner (read more about it here). If you aren’t big on using witch hazel, though, never fear—there are many different varieties out there. Personally, I like Vitamin C serums because they help lighten discoloration from old acne scars and even tone overall skin tone.

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating regularly is a must if you want to have great skin. When dead skin cells are left on your face, they not only leave your skin looking dull but they also prevent it from receiving important nutrients. Exfoliating once or twice a week should be enough for people with dry or normal skin; anyone with oily skin should consider exfoliating every day. Use an exfoliant that contains sugar or fruit enzymes, which are less irritating than stronger chemicals like salicylic acid. For best results, use it in place of a daily cleanser so you can wash off any excess residue after your face has been buffed clean. Also, don't forget to always use sunscreen—even on cloudy days!