Skin Care Tips

While some people may be blessed with naturally flawless skin, most of us have to continually work at it. When trying to keep your skin healthy and vibrant, keep some of these helpful tips in mind.

More than anything, remember to avoid sun overexposure. Use wide-brimmed hats and high-SPF sunscreens to protect your skin from the hazards of the sun, which cause a great majority of medical and cosmetic skin problems.

Keep in mind that your skin is an organ, and as such, it needs proper nutrition. Vitamins and anti-oxidants are essential to skin health. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to properly hydrate your skin.

Don’t smoke. Smoking decreases blood circulation, and introduces a variety of poisons, oxidants and chemicals that harm your skin, as well as your overall health.

Like your other body parts, your skin reacts to your psychological and emotional well-being as much as your physical well-being, so be sure to get plenty of rest each night, and minimize stress as much as possible.

Though it may sound obvious, always remember to keep your skin clean. This means not only washing your face with a gentle cleanser regularly, but little things you may not think about during the day. For example, your hands are one of the oiliest parts of your body – touching your face repeatedly spreads not only those oils, but the dirt that accumulates on your hands as well.

Avoid excessive exfoliation and moisturizing. While moderate exfoliating can clear your skin of old, dead cells, over-exfoliation can acidify and irritate your skin. Likewise, rationed applications of moisturizer are good for skin, but over-moisturizing can clog pores and make your skin oily.

When at all possible, try to keep your skin care regimen consistent. Cosmetic products, lotions and cleansers – even all-natural ones – can have dozens of ingredients, any of which could be potential allergens. Regularly and frequently changing these products out increases your chances of irritating, inflaming or shocking your skin.