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10 fuss free expert approved hacks and tips that will keep your skin glowing ETERNALLY
It’s 2021 and if you’re ready to take your skincare seriously, this is the place to start!
Whether it’s discovering you have a pimple right before a zoom date or spotting your very first wrinkle, we all have our skin woes. But it’s a new decade and let this be your reminder that these problems can be prevented with some nifty skincare tips.
From what you should be eating to why sunblock is truly your anti-ageing BFF, here are 10 tips for healthy skin.
Protect yourself from sun damage
2020 has given us all major summer FOMO and we can’t wait to let loose and soak in the sun. However, let’s not forget that unprotected exposure can result in discolouration, fine lines and sagging of the skin. That’s where good quality sunscreen comes in, to guard against harmful UVB and UVA rays, and to prevent sun damage and premature ageing. This goes for when you’re staying indoors too if the sun can get to you through a window you still need sunscreen.
Pro-tip: Make sunblock the first step in your skincare routine; applying it to your bare skin binds it to the cells thereby boosting its efficacy.
Exfoliate the dead weight away
Keep the skin smooth and radiant by exfoliating! It can unclog your pores, prevent breakouts and makes it easier for products to absorb into your skin.
We recommend a mild exfoliant and won’t strip your skin barrier and a body wash with gentle exfoliating beads, or a razor (when shaving, of course). They buff away the debris to reveal soft, glowing skin. Or if you’re willing to go all the way, treat yourself with a hydra facial. It’s the most talked-about facial treatment right now and for good reason, as it exfoliates, cleanses and hydrates the skin!
Nutrition matters
Your diet doesn't just affect your waistline, it can also save your skin. Some foods that are known for their health benefits are great for your skin too, like green tea for example. The antioxidants present in green tea, EGCG, not only repairs and rejuvenates skin cells but helps prevent skin cancer too. Wild salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which helps the skin retain its moisture while maintaining elasticity. We could go on and on about our favourite superfoods for skin health but the important takeaway is that good skin is also a result of what you put into your body.
Keep it moving
Getting your daily workout is super important. It keeps the blood flowing and the face glowing! And when you sweat it clears the body of its toxins and removes dead skin cells, so that new healthy ones can grow in its place. Without regular exercise your skin may appear dull, so grab your workout gear and get going!
Hydrate the right way
If your skin is thirsty, it can cause irritation, redness and prominent fine lines. But using the wrong product, especially a moisturizer, can often do more harm to your skin than good. What you need are products that are designed to soothe irritation, refresh your appearance while ensuring that the skin's natural moisture barrier is restored.
A good humectant like hyaluronic acid holds onto moisture leaving you with bouncy, dewy skin. Apply it on the skin in the form of serum along with your moisturiser.
Get on the Retinol train
If you keep up with the latest skincare trends, you’ve probably heard of retinol. It’s a derivative of Vitamin A and it's good for everything including acne, blackheads, ageing etc. It increases cell turnover rate, exfoliates older cells and increases the production of collagen. There are very few products that do it all and that's why retinoids are so highly valued. Use some at night, followed by moisturizer and you’re good to go.
Use Vitamin C every day
This ingredient almost always pops up when you google best skincare ingredients and we’ll tell you exactly why. It’s known for its anti-ageing properties such as promoting collagen production, erasing fine lines and protecting the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure. Free radical damage can look like sagging, dullness, age spots, wrinkling etc, and some Vitamin C can keep that at bay. The best way to use it is in the form of serum as they are more absorbent.
Monthly facials
There are so many things you can do to take care of your skin, but sometimes you just have to leave it to the professionals. Getting a facial every month is great at revitalizing the skin by giving it a deep cleanse, hydrating it and removing pimples and all kinds of blemishes. Microneedling facials can increase collagen production as well as reduce the visibility of wrinkles and scars too. Not to mention that they’re super relaxing, almost like you’re at a spa!
Cut sugar from your diet
If you have a sweet tooth, this may sound a tad extreme. But studies have shown that processed sugars can spike your insulin, resulting in inflammation of all kinds. So cutting down on your sweet indulgences can lower acne breakouts and prevent signs of ageing. That being said natural sugars aren’t as bad, so some honey in your tea or brown sugar in your coffee is welcome.
Visit a good dermatologist
Everyone has skincare advice that they like to dole out but nothing will be as valid as what a dermatologist who knows your skin inside and out, has to say. They play a key role in educating you about your skin, screening you for any issues and giving you solutions that are based on scientific fact.
From what products to use, to dietary changes, to the procedures you should get done, your dermat should always be the first ones to weigh in.
About the author: Chaitanya Kenchamannahoskote, Founder of Maya Medi Spa
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