You only have to venture into a supermarket or healthcare store to see an endless supply of different skincare products. Most of these claim to give us the best quality skin possible, clear up major issues, and leave us looking at least ten years younger than we are. The thing is, most of them don’t do what they promise, and if they do, it’s certainly not a ‘one size fits all’ kind of deal.
The quality of your skin is one of the first things that people notice about you. We all live in such appearance-driven times, and that means that having a particular condition can be enough to seriously damage self-confidence, and leave you hiding yourself away. No more! Nobody should have to hide themselves away because of their skin, whether they have a condition or not.
The great news is that you don’t have to rush to the healthcare store or supermarket and try and find the latest, and probably most expensive, lotion or potion. There are several skincare secrets that are sat there right before you, easy to incorporate, and far less costly on the bank account!
Let’s check out three (little known) secrets of glowing skin, which could save your cash flow and leave you ready and raring to head on out and show off your new, younger-looking skin.
Probiotics
Yes, the healthy bacteria which are geared towards gut health actually have a huge effect on the skin too. Remember, we also have bacteria dwelling on our skin, microscopic and impossible to see with the human eye. Some of these bacteria are bad, and some are good. We need enough good bacteria to keep the balance in check, and to stop conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema flaring up, to name just a few.
By increasing the probiotic content in your diet, or by taking a specific probiotic supplement for women, you may be able to drastically increase the health of your skin, and therefore leave you with a glowing canvas. Probiotics may also help to reduce the appearance of existing conditions, such as acne and eczema, by counteracting the bad bacteria with good, and helping to reduce inflammation levels.
It’s a good idea to shop around for the best probiotic for your specific needs, as the supplement world isn’t regulated, and therefore any product can promise you the world! There are countless strains of probiotic, but a few which are particularly ideal for skin conditions is L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus. Look for products which are high in these strains and remember to check with your doctor before you start to take any specific supplement type.
Plenty of Water
A little known secret, yes! Most people think that water is simply good for hydration for the entire body, but drinking plenty of water can give you that glowing canvas you’re looking for, whilst flushing out toxins and dead skin cells which may be clogging up your skin as it is.
How much water is enough? That’s something which experts can’t actually agree on, but most go by the 8×8 rule. This means that you should be drinking 8 x 8oz glasses of water every day. Remember that this can also include other beverages too (not sugary or alcoholic), but pure water is best for the optimal benefits you want.
Additionally, when it comes to making sure you’re getting enough water into your day to keep your skin hydrated, you need to also take into consideration a couple of factors. If you’re spending a significant amount of time outdoors under the sun, you’ll want to add more water to your to-do list along with your brush on mineral sunscreen. The more time under the sun spent, the more likely you are to sweat and lose that hydration.
In the same way, you recognize the importance of reapplying your sunscreen often when you’re under the intense sun or being physically active; you need to up your water consumption. Protecting your skin through intense hydration, whether poolside or on the beach, is essential. When you’re packing your bag for days where you’ll be under the sun for an extended time, you’ve got your reusable water bottle filled and at the ready.
Ironically, drinking water can also help to eradicate other types of skin problems, or at least reduce the alongside other self-help methods, such as cellulite and stretch marks. Drinking plenty of water can help to flush out the fat cells which help to cause cellulite, when used alongside other methods, such as exfoliation and massage. The flushing out motion will also help you to rid your body of toxins from the inside out, and that in itself gives your skin a glow, without even having to touch it! Â
Exfoliation
We all know that exfoliation is a godsend for the skin, but did you know that if you do it right, and if you do it often enough, you can actually give yourself a canvas which is as fresh and as new as (almost) the day you were born?
Exfoliation works by scrubbing away the dead skin cells which lay on the top surface of your skin. These sit there, clogging up the pores and creating a dull complexion. When these are scrubbed away, new cells have chance to regenerate, giving you a fresher, younger looking complexion instead.
Now, the word ‘scrubbing’ sounds harsh, and you should be very careful how you exfoliate and how often. This isn’t something you should do with a heavy hand, and it’s a good idea to look for an exfoliating glove, or an exfoliating brush which suits your skin. You should also use a circular motion, applying just enough pressure. By the end of your exfoliation routine, you should have a sightly red tinge to your skin, but certainly not raging and angry. If you have pain, or it looks too red, you’re scrubbing too hard. You should also avoid up and down movements, and stick to the circular routine we just mentioned.
You will find many exfoliating products on the market, but you should shop around to find the right choice for you. It’s just as effective sometimes to exfoliate with simple water, and to moistures afterwards. Remember not to miss the moisturising step, but to also find a product which isn’t too heavy for your skin type. After exfoliation your pores are open, and this means your skin is more amenable to the product. Anything too heavy will clog up the pores once more and cause the same problem.
These are three (little known) secrets to fresher looking, glowing skin. As you can see, they don’t cost the Earth, and they’re pretty easy to do too! All of these methods will also help you get rid of, reduce the effects of, stretch marks and cellulite, proving that sometimes natural is the best way forward over expensive stretch mark lotions and potions!
