Have you ever seen a celebrity and wondered what may be the secret behind the flawless skin? Well I know I do that and not just with stars but with my friends and colleagues too. I kept searching for the best skin-care or makeup products to achieve the perfect glow. I started researching and experimenting until I finally discovered the secret. Who could have thought that it could be as simple as adopting healthy habits?
Establishing these habits at a young age can help control the damage we might have caused our skin. Once our skin begins to grow old, it loses its elasticity which leads to wrinkles and fine lines. To prevent your skin from aging and maintaining the radiant and youthful look, it’s vital to establish healthy habits since you are in your 20’s. Why is it so? Well because skin health depends upon a combination of processes such as antioxidant production, the creation of collagen, regeneration of skin cells, etc. These processes begin to slow down at different ages, the first declines when you are only 20. Hence it’s essential to start practicing these healthy habits when you are young, let’s have a look at what these ten best practices are:
Establish a Proper Skin Care Regimen
Establishing a routine at an early age will help you stick to the habit in the more extended run. Cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin twice a day, particularly at night. It will help clean impurities, remove dead cells & oil and will hydrate the skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that has balanced pH and won’t strip your skin of the natural oils. Ensure that it matches your skin type. After cleansing, exfoliate the skin to rejuvenate and remove the old cells. Make sure you don’t harshly do the scrubbing, or it could cause inflammation. Finish it off with moisturizing. For people with oily skin, you don’t have to miss this step. Instead, use a water-based moisturizer that won’t make your skin feel greasy.
Protect Your Skin from Ultraviolet Rays
Exposure to the sun is one of the primary causes that lead to pigmentation, wrinkles, and fine lines. The outer layer of skin contains melanin which protects it against UV Rays and prevents sunburn & premature aging. Due to excessive subjection to the sun, the rays can penetrate the outer skin layer. In the worst case scenario, excessive tanning may cause skin cancer.
Apply a sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection, 20 minutes before leaving your house. You can also use cosmetics that have SPF 30 protection to enhance the effects of the sunscreen.
Clock Adequate Sleep
Sleeping for at least 7 to 8 hours a day is vital for your skin health. Sleep deprivation causes your body to produce a stress hormone called cortisol. It can enhance the severity of existing skin conditions and increase skin sensitivity. When we sleep the skin gets a chance to regain moisture, plus it saves you from getting the dark bags under your eyes.
Don’t Use Too Many Products
Remember the secret to healthy skin is using as few chemicals as possible. If you use 20 different cleansers, creams, and keep switching every week, it may damage your skin.
For every new product, it takes about six weeks to make a visible difference. Switching before that time won’t give you the chance to find out whether the particular formula was suitable for your skin or not.
Hydrate Your Skin and Yourself
Like every other organ, skin consists of cells that depend on water to survive. If your skin isn’t well hydrated, it will become dry, and wrinkled. To ensure proper hydration, drink about 8 cups of water daily. Not just that use any product based on hyaluronic acid and then moisturize your skin.
Eat a Balanced Diet that Comprises of Whole Foods
You may have tried a lot of products, but to your disappointment, there hasn’t been any improvement in your skin health. Well, what you eat matters equally as much, if not more than, your skin care regimen. Omega 3s, zinc, vitamins E, C, A and selenium are the nutrients essential for your skin. Make sure you eat balanced and nutritious meals throughout the day based on whole foods such as Salmon, leafy greens, nuts, avocados, etc.
Exercise Can Prevent Aging
Establish the habit of staying active since your 20’s; it won’t just improve your skin health but has tons of benefits for your physical well-being. Exercise enhances the flow of blood to the surface of the skin and increases the production of collagen. The sweat after workouts opens clogged pores to release trapped dirt. But be sure to wash your face after every workout session, or it may cause a breakout.
Use Lighter Serums
As your skin begins to age, it’s better to use lightweight creams to prevent breakouts. Vitamin C serums are great as they contain about 70% active ingredients. They absorb within the skin readily and aid in protection against pollutants in the atmosphere. If you have acne-prone skin, serums are just what you need to add to your skincare routine to achieve glowing skin.
Include Lots of Antioxidants
Antioxidants offer tons of benefits for our skin. They prevent free radical damage and increase cell metabolism. As a result, they reduce wrinkles, acne, and help you achieve even-toned skin. They also aid in the growth of new cells and repair sun-damaged skin. Incorporate fruits such as apples, berries, kiwi into your diet, load up on healthy salads and fresh juices to boost your antioxidant intake.
Give Up on Sugar
Foods with high sugar content boost the creation of cortisol thereby weakening collagen which is essential for keeping the skin look youthful and young. If you don’t want rough, older looking skin, lay off sugar and bad carbs from your diet.
About the Author
Kelly Newman is a Fitness Trainer and blogger. She loves to write about everything related to fitness and diet and wants to help people adopt a healthier lifestyle. She works with the team behind Health Listed and does extensive research to provide people actionable health and nutrition information.
