Too busy to follow a skin care regime? Well, most of the time I am more lazy than busy. When I can spare half an hour for my skin, I’d rather waste it googling random stuff. Most of us don’t take care of our skin in natural ways. We kind of depend and even prefer to use chemical based products to nourish our skin. However expensive and fine quality these products may be, they are still chemicals. Why depend on expensive anti aging cream or anti aging serum when you can do it naturally. There’s a saying that goes “Apply to your skin what you can eat”.
So, here are 11 must-dos to get skin younger looking. I have tried not just listing the essentials to get younger looking skin, but also how you can push yourself to follow them.
1. Drink More Water
Water keeps your skin hydrated and helps flush out toxins. To keep your skin supple and glowing, drink enough water throughout the day.
Keep a liter of water one hand away at all times. Add a couple of slices of cucumber or lemon to your water to give it a flavor. Here is the list of apps to remind you to drink enough water throughout the day.
2. Stay Out of Sun
Photoaging- the damage caused to the skin by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light is the major culprit behind skin’s aging. The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light that damages your skin and causes sunburn. Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, which is the outermost layer; the dermis which is the middle layer; and the subcutis which is the bottom most layer. The dermis contains collagen, elastin and other fibers that support the skin’s structure and give skin its smooth and youthful appearance — and that are damaged by UV radiation. Over time, UV rays can lead to wrinkles, dark spots, and other problems.
Always carry an umbrella or cover yourself as much as possible when stepping into the sun. To reduce the effect of sun, apply natural products like aloe vera gel, milk or honey.
3. Anti-oxidants Rich Foods
Antioxidants help fight free radicals that speed up the aging process. Oxidative stress caused by free radicals breaks down collagen, hinders skin’s natural repair process and causes inflammation. This results in fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, acne breakouts and a blotchy skin tone. By scavenging free radicals, antioxidants can help prevent and correct these visible signs and give skin a more youthful glow. They help skin repair itself and prevent sun burn.
Following are the foods that are powerhouse of antioxidants. Make them an essential part of your weekly shopping list and your daily diet:
- Berries
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Spinach
- Purple grapes
- Organic green tea
- Dark chocolate/ Cocoa
4. Avoid Fried and Processed Food
It’s simple. You are what you eat. If you wish to have healthy and glowing skin, then stay away from all the chilly, spicy and oily food. Processed food usually contains highly refined grains and sugars that can encourage the degradation of collagen and elastin in the skin. This can lead to a loss of firmness and elasticity of the skin and lead to premature sagging and wrinkles.
Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as much as you can. When in the supermarket, don’t head to the processed food section first. Fill your basket with as colourful many fruits and vegetables as you can.
5. Exercise And Practice Yoga
Exercise results in increased blood flow to the working cells including skin throughout the body that helps nourish skin cells and keeps them vital. In addition to providing oxygen to the cells, blood flow also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells and flush them out of the system.
In yoga, many asanas can increase the flow of blood to your face and help deliver oxygen and nutrients to the face. Deep breathing asanas open up the lungs, which increases the flow of oxygen to all the organs including skin, and this oxygenated blood is rich in regenerative properties.
6. Avoid Taking Excessive Medicines
Of course, it goes without saying that you should listen to your doctor and not skip having medicines as prescribed to you. However, don’t encourage a lifestyle in which you end up needing and depending on medicines. Studies suggest, certain antibiotics make the skin photo sensitive. Be mindful when using dietary supplements.
7. Take a break
In your routine life you end up getting stressed that negatively impacts yours mental and physical health. There’s no way you can have a glowing skin however many beauty products you use, if your health is not good. So, it is important to go on a break every once in a while. You’re free to do as much or a little as you like, which in turn makes you feel more composed and relaxed. This can help reduce the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which when significantly elevated in the body has a negative impact on organs such as the skin.
8. Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol and Caffeine
Alcohol makes our skin dry and dehydrated. It prevents our skin from retaining moisture and causes dark circles around the eyes. Alcohol contains sugar, which spikes blood sugar levels and may contribute to aging by depleting collagen and elastin proteins.
According to studies, regular caffeine consumption can increase cortisol levels, that may impact skin by causing inflammation, and throw the rest of our hormones off balance. The decision to indulge at the cost of well being of your skin lies on you my friend!
Find more natural alternatives to getting high. How about working out, trying extreme sports, going for a run, having a good hearty laugh, heading to nature, listening to upbeat music or being in love?
9. Go Natural
Use Natural products on your skin. Follow a good skin care regime of exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing using natural ingredients. You can check out some natural face packs here. Make it a point to spend at least 1 hr in a week massaging your face and applying face packs.
10. Limit the Use of Make-up
Keep it basic and minimal girls. And when you do use some make up, use good cleanser to take it off. Every few days, going without makeup allows the skin to breathe, balance, and decongest from the stress on the skin caused by applying makeup daily. Even high quality makeup contains chemicals, preservatives and fillers, all of which can clog pores if worn in excess. sO, it is a good idea to give your face a break from makeup so that your skin can take a good deep breath!
Before you hit the bed, make it a point to remove all makeup to clear all the pores and allow skin to breath.Take two minutes before bed and wash your face with warm water . Pat it dry with a soft towel. Try to use natural products like aloe vera to moisturize when indoors. Good skin care regime will definitely give you younger looking skin. Just stick to it.
11. Get Enough Sleep
Want to have a glowing skin and stay wrinkle free? Get 7-8 hrs of sleep. Sleep is touted as the closest thing there is to the fountain of youth. Our body gets into a repair mode and recovers any malfunctions while we are deep in sleep.
Set deadlines for yourself for going to bed. Get done with your dinner by 8. Plan to finish off your nightly chores by 9:30. Don’t sleep with your phone next to you. Sleeping early will not only give you enough hours to sleep but you’ll wake up energetic and early enough to have a productive morning.
It really isn’t that difficult to get younger looking skin. A few healthier choices will do wonders for your skin as well as confidence.
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Keep Reading. Chao!