We all want to look the best we possibly can, and we all have our various approaches to doing just that – from a keen sense of fashion to a nailed-down make-up routine. But there is a fundamental aspect to our appearance that many of us overlook: our skin. Healthy skin is the bedrock for a healthy appearance, but what can we do to promote our skin health?
Protect Yourself From the Sun
The sun presents a significant risk to the health of your skin, and is responsible for the progression of wrinkles and freckles. But sun exposure can do more than increase your freckle count; the sun is one of the leading causes for skin disease around the world, with the vast majority of skin cancers caused by the UV rays radiated through sunlight.
While tanning may seem like a great way to capture a youthful glow, the risks it can pose to your skin health are much greater than the benefits – and too much tanning could leave your skin tending towards the leathery. If you must spend extended periods of time in the sun, sunscreen with a high SPF is essential.
Start a Routine
Your skin will be perfectly fine chugging along as it is, but in order to bring the best of your skin out you’ll need to create a skincare routine unique to you. The cosmetics market is flooded with products and treatments that can perform different things for your skin; with some dedicated research, you can pull together a shortlist of products that work for you, whether moisturisers or vitamin-delivering oils.
But a skincare routine isn’t enough for some, and it may be that you aren’t seeing the results you expected. For next steps, you could seek consultation with cosmetic professionals to chart a course forward – whether in terms of surgical intervention or non-surgical treatments in the form of fillers.
Nutrition and Hydration
For many, though, it is the simple approaches that can have the biggest effect. Your skin will naturally reflect your overall body health, relying as it does on the nutrients you introduce to sustain and develop itself. If your diet is poor, your skin will not be able to reach its full potential.
Ensure you are getting a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet. Vitamins C and E are crucial to skin health, with the former supporting the formation of collagen and the latter helping with the effects of sun-related skin damage. Omega-3 fatty acids help you naturally moisturise your skin, too. Water is the final piece of the puzzle; drinking two litres a day will ensure your skin remains healthy and supple.
Cut Out Unhealthy Habits
Lastly, it is just as important that you cut out bad habits as it is that you form new, good ones. All of the progress you could be making with your healthy diet and skincare regime could be getting undone by a single vice.
Drinking alcohol can have a dehydrating effect on your skin, causing it to become papery and weak. Smoking, meanwhile, can serve to starve your skin of the nutrients you’ve been taking in, as well as introduce blemishes. Stopping these habits could have a remarkable impact on your skin health almost immediately.
