The appearance of your skin is a reflection of your overall health. During the late autumn and through the winter months, many people experience dry, itchy or flaky skin, and these issues can progress into cracked and painful skin. Here are seven tips, backed by scientific research, that could help you improve how your skin looks and feels.
1. Use Sunscreen Every Day
Wear sunscreen every day, even in the winter on a cloudy day. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes premature aging and considerable damage to your skin. Select a sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you sunburn easily, choose an SPF of 50 or higher.
Diligent sunscreen use is especially important if you have hyperpigmentation, a condition which is notorious for getting worse with sunlight. ClearifiRx is an innovative treatment for hyperpigmentation that is customized for you by board-certified dermatologists. Their prescription-strength treatments come with La Roche posay sunscreen to help you restore and maintain your radiant complexion.
2. Stay Hydrated
Proper hydration is essential to the health and appearance of your skin. How much water you need depends on how active you are, the weather conditions or humidity level in your home and several other factors. A good way to tell if you’re well-hydrated is to observe the color of your urine. If it’s clear to barely yellow, you’re well-hydrated.
3. Moisturize According to Your Skin Type
If you have dry or combination skin, choose a moisturizer that works with your skin type. If your skin is oily, you might still need a light moisturizer. Your face isn’t the only part that benefits from moisturizing. Your hands and the soles of your feet are also likely to get dry, flaky or cracked.
4. Wash Your Face
Throughout your childhood, you were probably commanded to wash your face. This is good advice for your adult years, too. When the skin’s pores are clogged with particulates from air pollution, oils from your sebaceous glands and makeup or other products, you’re more likely to develop skin problems. Blackheads, whiteheads and acne are all related to clogged pores. Wash your face when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. If you get sweaty during a workout, wash your face after you’re done.
5. Eat Healthy Food
The food you eat nourishes your skin from within. In addition to moisturizing and caring for your skin from the outside, caring for it from the inside is also important. Choose fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables that are filled with antioxidants. Citrus fruits contain a high concentration of antioxidants. The antioxidants help your body repair cellular damage. Lean proteins and healthy polyunsaturated fats promote collagen regeneration. Collagen is what keeps your skin smooth, flexible and elastic.
6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
While you’re asleep, your body repairs cellular damage that took place during the day. This means regenerating collagen, repairing damaged cells and replacing old skin cells with new ones. Getting a quality night’s sleep on a comfortable mattress every night ensures that your body can make these repairs. Aim for seven hours of sleep every night. The result is healthier skin with a nice glow and smooth texture.
7. Maintain a Skincare Routine
Each person’s skin is different, and your skincare routine will differ from your sibling’s or your friend’s. If your skin gets dry, be sure to include exfoliation as a part of your routine. An exfoliating facial scrub is a simple option that you could do once or twice per week. Choose skincare products that are compatible with your skin type, such as oily skin or sensitive skin.
