Rather than struggle to have to have flawless skin later in life, it is best to incorporate proper skin care habits as early as your 20s. Simply put, you take care of your skin and it will take care of you.
Here are eight healthy habits that you need in your life for younger skin in the years to come.
Simplify your routineSometimes we tend to go overboard with our skin care products in our quest for flawless skin. Having a lot of products in your cabinet however does not guarantee better skin. Instead, stick to a few products that actually work for you. Using too many different products means that you are mixing up too many chemicals, fragrances and ingredients which is not the best thing for your skin. A product takes about six weeks before you can start seeing results so give it time to work before you go buy another one.
Cleanse correctlyInvest in a good cleanser that cleans your face without taking away your skin’s natural oils. A good cleanser should be of neutral pH, gentle and a non-soap. When washing your face, rub it in circular motions so as to encourage blood flow leaving you with a healthy glow.
Use a mild exfoliantSince we shed about 50 million skin cells per day, it is important to scrub them away by exfoliating. Stay away from face scrubs that are too abrasive as they cause your face to discolor or even cause scarring. Pick a mild, inexpensive product from your local beauty shop and exfoliate about two times a week.
MoisturizeMoisturizing is a critical part of keeping your skin young. Just because you have oily skin does not mean you should skip your moisturizer. Instead, get a light lotion or a serum and skip the heavy cream-based ones. For normal or dry skin, get a facial oil or cream.
Cover upThe sun is not very kind to your skin and 90 percent of aging is triggered by unprotected exposure to the sun. Frequent tanning can also cause you to have a deadly skin cancer known as melanoma. This means that you need to cover up your skin in sunscreen and not just at the beach or pool, but everywhere else. To simplify your skin care routine, invest in a moisturizer that has at least an SPF of 30.
Stop pickingPopping your pimples can actually get addictive and hard stop but it is one really unhealthy habit for your skin. It can lead to scarring, dark marks and even red marks on your face. Popping your pimples can also lead to epidermal inclusion cysts, a condition where you get round lumps on the skin that might need surgical removal.
Catch more sleepOne of the causes of accelerated aging is lack of sufficient sleep. While you are taking care of your body on the outside, you also have to allow it to work from the inside out. Maximizing your sleep gives your skin a chance to recover from all the sun damage on your skin.
Eat more whole foodsThe skin is the largest organ in your body and what you eat will definitely reflect on your skin. It is important to consume Omega-3 as they will reduce the inflammatory chemicals that cause your skin and heart to age. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed oil, nuts, hemp oil, tuna and salmon. It is also important to reduce your intake of processed foods which can lead to breakouts.