How your skin looks and ages are part genetics and part environment, but there are steps you can take to improve the health and appearance of your skin. Consider incorporating these seven tips into your skincare routine.
1. Know Your Skin Type
The type of skin you have plays a role in which products and procedures are the best for you to use. You can identify your skin type by looking for these characteristics:
- Dry skin types are usually flaky, scaly or rough
- Oily skin appears greasy or shiny and may have large pores
- Combination skin is dry in some places and oily in others
- Sensitive skin may sting, burn or itch after using some products
- Normal skin is balanced, clear and not sensitive
2. Clean Your Face Twice a Day
Cleaning your face with a gentle, non-toxic cleanser can help ensure your skin and pores are free of dirt, grime, and bacteria. It is recommended you wash once in the morning and once at night. Skin that is not kept properly clean can result in increased pore size, oily skin, and acne. However, it is also important not to over wash your skin, because doing so can strip your skin of valuable natural oils, which can lead to dry skin.
3. Avoid Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems. It can also increase your risk of skin cancer. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 15, to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours. Try to avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when harmful rays are at their strongest. Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats to protect your skin from the sun when outdoors. Don't forget to protect your lips by applying chapstick or lipstick with SPF protection.
4. Shower Properly
Avoid damaging your skin when showering by using lukewarm water and limiting your shower time to 20 minutes. Lengthy showers and hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils. If you have dry skin, try using a moisturizing body wash. Stick to mild soaps. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it and leave your skin somewhat damp. Your skin will absorb some of this moisture.
5. Get Enough Quality Sleep
Sufficient good quality sleep is vital for skin cell and tissue rejuvenation. To get better sleep, try clearing your mind before you go to bed. Mediation can be helpful for some people. Power down all your electronic devices. Blue light has been shown to disturb sleep. Read a fun book or listen to music before bed.
6. Use Moisturizer
Applying a quality moisturizer, such as those found on BHMD on Instagram, can help replace moisture and natural minerals that get washed away when you clean your skin. For best results, moisturize just after you wash your face or step out of the shower to seal in moisture and allow for better absorption. Gently massage the moisturizer into your skin. It is important to moisturize, even if you have oily skin, but oily skin that becomes too dry can generate even more oil to compensate. Gel type moisturizers can be a good choice for people with oily skin types.
7. Don't Smoke
Smoking can make your skin look older and contribute to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the small blood vessels under the surface of your skin, which can make your skin appear pale and deprive it of oxygen and nutrients it needs to be healthy. Smoking can also be damaging to collagen and elastin, which makes your skin more prone to wrinkles. Smoking may also increase your risk of skin cancer.
Whatever skin type you have, you can improve the health and appearance of your skin by following a proper skincare routine. These seven tips should give you a good starting place for developing your routine.
