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5 Secrets to Healthy Skin

Skin Care Habits for a Youthful Complexion

Despite what trending beauty blogs will tell you, taking care of your skin is really quite simple. By embracing a healthy lifestyle and creating a consistent skin care routine, you can maintain a youthful, radiant complexion year-round. Keep reading for five secrets to healthy skin!

flat lay with skin care products and leaves on a pink background

Secret #1: Look at Your Lifestyle

Skin is the body’s largest organ, so it makes sense that how you treat your body has a major impact on skin health. Following some basic guidelines, like not smoking, getting plenty of sleep every night, and exercising regularly, will help you feel and look your best. Stress has a negative effect on skin – often leading to acne breakouts and other skin problems – so taking steps to manage it will do wonders for your complexion. And of course, what you put on your plate is just as important as what you put on your skin. Eat a diet high in fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich foods to nourish your skin from the inside out.

Secret #2: Don’t Skimp on Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must for healthy, younger-looking skin. Not only can sun exposure cause age spots, wrinkles, and other skin conditions, it can also increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Most dermatologists recommend using broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ protection every single day – no exceptions! If you’re spending time outdoors, make sure to reapply every couple of hours and seek shade whenever possible.

Secret #3: Find the Right Facial Cleanser

Washing your face is the foundation of any good skin care routine; among other things, it will help you avoid acne, dullness, and clogged pores. In the mornings, you should be cleansing your face to remove the oil and dust that build up while you sleep, and in the evenings, you need to wash off any dirt, pollen, sunscreen, and makeup. Experts suggest choosing a gentle cleanser that matches your skin type – foaming liquids work well on oily or acne-prone skin, and creams and lotions are often recommended for dry or eczema-prone skin. Micellar water, popular in French routines, is soap-free and suitable for almost any skin type.

Secret #4: Make Use of Moisturizer

Moisturizing is another important part of your skin care routine, as it hydrates and softens the skin. It also plays a key role in maintaining the protective barrier on the surface of your skin. As soon as you get out of the shower in the morning or wash your face at night, apply a moisturizer to lock in the water on your skin. Picking out the right moisturizer comes down to your skin type: Those with drier skin will benefit from creams and ointments, while those with oily skin can reach for lotions, which have a lighter texture.

Secret #5: Take Advantage of Vitamin A

We’ve covered the importance of protecting, cleansing, and moisturizing your skin, but what about products that slow the signs of aging? Retinoids, made from vitamin A, are one of the most used anti-aging compounds, and for good reason. They prompt your skin to make more collagen, which in turn gives it more structure and elasticity. Retinoids come in two forms: retinol, found in over-the-counter skin creams, and prescription retinoids like tretinoin. If introducing retinoids to your regimen, keep in mind that the product can be initially irritating to your skin. Try using a pea-sized amount of product once or twice a week, then work your way up to nightly as tolerated.

Having glowing, youthful-looking skin isn’t just a matter of luck, nor does it require investing in the most expensive skin care lines. Your daily habits truly can make all the difference, so put these practices into place to keep your skin at its healthiest! HS

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