Beauty

Beauty comes from within, as the saying goes, but what about externally? The best way to keep your skin looking beautiful and vibrant is to take care of it from the inside out, but it’s important to make sure you’re taking proper care of your skin from the outside in, too. Use these nine tips to keep your skin looking great every day of the year!

Drink Plenty of Water

Skin naturally dehydrates as we age. It’s more important than ever to drink plenty of water. Drinking water also helps keep your skin moist and supple, which keeps wrinkles at bay. To keep your skin looking young, make it a point to drink at least 10 glasses of water each day. And if you don’t like drinking plain water, add a few slices of lemon or lime for flavor!
In addition to drinking plenty of water, make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Studies show that people who sleep 6 or more hours each night tend to look younger than those who sleep less. If you aren’t getting enough rest, try taking a relaxing bath before bedtime. The warm water and aroma therapy candles will help you wind down and fall asleep faster.

Avoid Alcohol

While booze might seem like a quick fix for those with dry skin, it’s actually bad for your complexion. Alcohol dries out skin by taking away its moisture, leaving you with cracked, flaky skin and puffy eyes. If you want healthy looking skin, avoid alcohol or at least consume it in moderation.
There are many healthy alternatives for skin that have moisturizing properties. Hemp seed oil contains a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which keep your skin soft and hydrated. Coconut oil is another natural beauty treatment with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that keep you looking young. Avocado oil, olive oil and jojoba oil can all do wonders for your skin as well.

Use Sunscreen

The best and easiest beauty tip of all is to simply use sunscreen! Sunscreen can do wonders for your skin, keeping you safe from wrinkles and early aging. And though it may seem like a hassle to apply, there are plenty of options out there that absorb quickly and aren’t sticky or irritating. They aren’t just good for your face either; apply it to every exposed area of skin if you want super-soft, smooth skin year-round.
Sunscreen isn’t just for sunny days! Studies have shown that repeated exposure to UV rays can lead to wrinkles and skin discoloration even on overcast days, so make sure you wear your sunscreen even when it’s not a hot day.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key to beautiful skin. When you’re dehydrated, your body pulls water from anywhere it can get it—leaving your skin dry and itchy. If you want healthy, beautiful skin, make sure you drink plenty of water every day. And don’t be afraid to use a facial moisturizer: studies show they reduce itching and improve skin hydration in as little as three days.
To keep your skin feeling and looking its best, consider adding a facial moisturizer to your daily routine. Experts at Johns Hopkins recommend moisturizing twice a day—once in the morning, and once before bed.

Eat Healthy

There’s a lot to love about healthy skin: it looks better, it feels better, and you look years younger than you did before. While genetics will determine how quickly your skin ages, we can take care of our skin and make sure that we enjoy its beauty for longer.
Eating plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables—including dark green leafy vegetables like spinach—is one great way to help keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Other foods can help your skin look better, too. Fish like tuna, salmon, and sardines are all packed with omega-3 fatty acids that nourish your skin. Walnuts are also a great source of omega-3s, as well as many other vitamins and minerals that support your body’s natural repair process. It’s not just what you eat that matters, either—how you cook your food can make a big difference to how healthy it is for your skin.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is an important part of proper skin care and can prevent breakouts. A 2012 study published in The British Journal of Dermatology found that those who got less than six hours of sleep per night had twice as many acne lesions as those who got at least seven hours per night. Getting a good night’s rest helps decrease stress hormones, which helps reduce inflammation and balance oil production.
When you sleep, your body releases hormones that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect skin from damage and slow down aging, but a lack of sleep can reduce your antioxidant defenses. Get enough sleep to give your skin a fighting chance against wrinkles and blemishes.

Use an Exfoliant Once a Week

Exfoliation is key to smooth, healthy skin. If you have especially dry or sensitive skin, start with a gentle scrub once a week and slowly work your way up to using it two times a week. Never use an exfoliant on irritated or sunburned skin; wait until it heals before exfoliating again. Make sure you always moisturize after exfoliating—exposing newly exfoliated skin to air without moisture can cause redness and irritation.
You can buy exfoliants in various forms, from solid scrubs to liquids that you can wash off with water. If you don’t want to use a scrub or cream, consider a face brush, which uses bristles to help slough off dead skin cells. You can also make your own exfoliant using ingredients like sugar or ground almonds—just make sure it’s not too abrasive so you don’t irritate your skin.

Look at Beauty Products Carefully

If you’re concerned about developing wrinkles or other signs of aging skin, it’s a good idea to research beauty products. However, not all products will be what they seem. Be sure to read labels and look at reviews carefully before spending money on new products. This way, you can be sure that you are only using top-quality items that will provide your skin with healthy benefits.
There are many different skin care products on today’s market, including creams, gels, serums and more. However, some of these products might not be doing you any good.

Use Eye Cream Every Night Before Bedtime

Whether you’re young or old, eye cream can be a great addition to your beauty routine. A lightweight moisturizer will help keep fine lines at bay and improve elasticity. Look for an eye cream that contains hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that attracts water to your skin—ideally with a SPF of 30 or more.
When you apply it, start from your inner corners and move outward. Don’t forget to massage it into your undereye area too. And remember, you don’t need to use a lot of product—you just want a thin layer of cream over your entire eye area. Be sure to avoid getting eye cream in your eyes or anywhere else on your face; if you do, wash it off right away!