We’ve all seen them. You know, the women with the fabulous, glowing skin? Whether the culprit is J-Lo or an old friend from college, she must have a secret to making their skin look so amazing. Is it her DNA? Was she just born lucky? Yes and no.
Although some women do win the “great skin lotto,” your habits play a huge role in what you see in the mirror. Every woman should have a few things she works into her daily routine. That way, you can keep your skin soft and supple for years to come.
Skin — it’s our largest organ. It is responsible for regulating body temperature, protecting our inner organs, manufacturing Vitamin D, and converting calcium into healthy bones. Basically, our skin is a shield against many environmental offenders.
All the while, our skin adds to our outward beauty or detracts from it! Our job is to give our skin the love and attention it needs every single day.
But how? Don’t worry… It’s not hard or complicated to adopt a daily skincare regimen. Here are 7 simple skin care tips that no woman should do without:
1. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen.
Not to sound like your mom, but put on that sunscreen! 365 days a year, in fact. Rain or Shine. This simple habit will ward off wrinkles, sun spots, and even dull or dry skin, which all result from too much sun.
Daily exposure to ultraviolet rays contributes to visible signs of aging, so be sure to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has SPF 30 or higher. And when you’re outside, reapply every two hours.
2. Get hydrated.
I can’t stress this enough… hydrate! Hydration is crucial to so many aspects of our health, but when it comes to our skin, a lack of moisture means less radiance and more sag. You should be drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water per day.
If you find it hard to keep that up, try coconut water. Not only is it naturally sweet, but it’s also full of good-for-you nutrients and antioxidants.
3. Exfoliate.
Exfoliation is a natural process that our skin goes through every day. “Exfoliation” simply means that your skin sheds dead cells. Over time, however, this process may slow or even stop altogether.
By exfoliating your skin, you help to “unglue” stubborn skin cells that cause dullness and clogged pores. The result is brighter, more even toned, resurfaced skin.
Because there are so many exfoliants on the market, I recommend looking for products with one of these three main ingredients:
- Retin-A
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
- Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)
4. Moisturize night and day.
One of the main causes of fine lines and wrinkles is skin that is dried out. Moisturizing is crucial. It keeps your skin moist and minimizes the appearance of these signs of aging. Plus, extra moisturizer provides the skin with lipids, peptides, and vitamins.
5. Eat healthy foods.
We all know that we should stay away from too many sweets. But it’s not just your weight you’re watching by doing this.
Cutting down on sugar also helps you maintain healthy skin!
Glycation is a process that occurs when sugar breaks down and bonds with protein molecules in your body. This can cause reduced elasticity and collagen in your skin. That’s why limiting sugar and highly refined carbs is good for your skin.
6. Exercise for glowing skin.
What goes hand-in-hand with healthy eating? You guessed it… exercise. Hopping onto the elliptical does more than just burn calories. It’s also delivers a good dose of oxygen and vital nutrients.
Even if you hate going to the gym, put on your favorite dance music and getting moving. Believe it or not, short cardio workouts will do wonders for your skin!
7. Get plenty of shut-eye.
A full night’s sleep — easier said than done. You remember what that was like, am I right? Professional and parenting obligations aside, six to eight hours of sleep really can work miracles. We call it “beauty rest” for a reason. At night our skin actually heals itself, and sleep also gives skin care products a chance to work effectively.
That’s enough tips for now. And that wasn’t so bad, right? Times change. Trends come and go. But beautiful, glowing, healthy skin is always in style.
With a little time and a commitment to a daily skin care regimen, you’ll be ecstatic with the results.
