When was the last time you felt confident in your own skin and dared to go outside without makeup on?
The purpose of makeup is to cover up various imperfections and enhance one’s beauty. Some women use makeup as a form of art and expression while other women use makeup for the sake of conforming to today’s standards and be perceived “beautiful” and “perfect.” There’s nothing wrong with wearing makeup. What’s deadly about it is when makeup starts wearing you.
So let me just revise my first question: can you feel confident in your own skin and dare to go outside without makeup on?
Instead of buying expensive cosmetics, invest in products that not just enhance your natural beauty but can also improve your skin health
Keep your face clean and smooth
1. Use facial cleanser
Start by choosing a facial cleanser that is compatible with your skin type (oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, normal skin, or combination skin). Once you find the right product, stick to it and refrain from changing products.
Wash your face twice daily, in the morning and before going to bed. Avoid overdoing it. Overwashing will do more harm than good since it can make the skin dry and irritable. The skin on your face is very delicate so be gentle in keeping it clean.
It is also advised to use a specific makeup removing product before using a regular face wash to avoid overlooking makeup residues that can clog the pores, leading to breakouts.
2. Exfoliate
Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist in Connecticut, explains that we lose roughly 50 million skin cells a day, and these cells may hang around, leaving the skin looking sullen if we don’t take care. With this, it is advised to exfoliate every two to three days, or at least once a week to get rid of these dead skin cells and give your skin a healthier glow.
The only problem with exfoliating products is they can dry the skin out, so be careful with the procedure. Exfoliating products that are pH neutral are advised to avoid drying out skin. Also, refrain from scrubbing your face too hard with an exfoliator or use it too often for this will worsen your skin’s dryness. Using moisturizer afterwards helps smoothen your skin.
3. Moisturize
Use a moisturizer after you wash your face or after exfoliating it. To retain the moisture of your skin, the best times to moisturize is when the skin is damp after you stepped out of the shower and right before you go to bed. Use a moisturizer with SPF content for daytime moisturizing and a slightly richer moisturizer to wear at night.
Just like facial cleansers and exfoliating products, choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type is crucial. Usually, gentle and unscented products work on most skin types. If you have drier skin types, on the other hand, go for heavier moisturizers with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and shea butter.
4. Keep your hands away from your face
Your hands, including your fingers and nails, are very dirty. With this, touching your face, picking at spots, rubbing your forehead, or simply resting your chin on your hand can spread bacteria to the skin, causing breakouts and a greasier look.
These bad habits may also lead to an increase in premature wrinkles, loose and sagging skin, and scarring, especially when you rub your face.
Take care of the skin from the inside
5. Keep a healthy diet
No expensive cosmetic products can beat healthy diet’s benefits to the skin. For a more radiant and glowing skin, load up on fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as “whole” foods. Aside from fresh produce, consuming lean meat for protein and oily fishes for omega-3 help increase your skin’s ability to hold onto moisture.
6. Hydrate in every way possible
We all know that drinking water can flush out the body’s toxins and it won’t be surprising to know that proper hydration affects the radiance of the skin. Hydration purifies the skin from inside out and fuels the skin’s metabolism.
Aside from drinking, you should also hydrate your skin every way possible, like choosing cleansing, moisturizing, and anti-aging products with hydrating properties. Keep in mind that dehydration can lead to a more sagging skin.
7. Sleep and rest well
Concealers are a woman’s best friend since they cover up common flaws like dark circles, eye bags, and pimples. But do you know what is better than an expensive concealer? A good night sleep – and the best part is it’s free.
Sleep, preferably 7 to 9 hours, restores your skin and leaves you looking naturally fresh and glowing. A plenty of rest also gives your skin adequate time to rejuvenate and heal since stress, one of the skin’s major culprit, creates instability to the hormonal system which leads to acne and breakouts.
Protect yourself from environmental risks
8. Refrain from vices
Another reason to quit smoking is the fact that it will wreak havoc with your skin. Cigarettes contain tobacco, which is one of the major accelerators the skin’s natural aging process. Drinking too much liquor also damages your skin since it can expand your blood vessels, causing red spots and itchiness on your skin. And don’t get me started on illegal drugs.
9. Protect yourself from the sun and heat
Direct sun exposure damages your skin – this is widely-known fact. What most people are unaware of is the fact that whether it’s rain or shine, your skin can still be destroyed. Thanks to your daily UV exposure that contributes to visible signs of aging as well.
Indoor tanning, which helps you achieve that beautiful bronze complexion, may also put you at risk for skin cancer.
Apart from watching out for the sun and skipping your tanning bed addiction, try to maintain your distance from fireplaces, heaters, and stoves. Heat causes inflammation and collagen breakdown. With this, you may help yourself by using sunscreen with SPF of 30 or greater which has to be reapplied every 2 hours.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a resident writer for Géniale, a Medical Aesthetic and Skin Cancer Centre providing top of the line services from industry-leading skin cancer treatments to innovative medical aesthetic procedures. She writes articles focusing on cosmetic, medical, and surgical care, and wellness.
