The skin is not only that part of your body that others look at first, but also the one that protects and covers all of your body. Good skin health is essential for regulating your body temperature, without which many critical functions would have been impaired. It is also responsible for excretion and respiration. Most importantly, the skin gives us the sensation of touch. The quality of your skin is a reflection of your overall health and vice versa. Therefore, taking good care of your skin is not just about looking more attractive, but about respecting and nurturing the greatest gift of good health. Follow these 6 simple secrets to a get a gorgeous looking skin.
1. Hydration
Adequate hydration is the number one secret of beautiful skin. Skin needs water in order to carry out its protective and regulatory functions. Make sure you are drinking sufficient water on a regular basis to keep your skin hydrated. Consider options like weak herbal teas, soups, fruits, and vegetables with high water content, etc. Use moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated externally. Apply a replenishing night cream at bed time to undo the damage done during the day and to aid the restoration brought on by sleep.
2. Exfoliate
Use a gentle exfoliating agent on a regular basis to keep the skin healthy and youthful. This will help to remove the dead cells that accumulate on the top layer of your skin and make it look dry and flaky. Use scrubs with natural ingredients rather than chemical peels. Look for an exfoliating agent that is supplemented with skin nutrients like retinoids or vitamin A derivatives.
3. Sun Protection
The damage caused to skin by over-exposure to the sun is proven through conclusive research. Apart from the visible damage caused by sun exposure in the form of dark spots and blemishes, UV exposure also has been identified as the primary cause of skin cancer. The SPF in your sunscreen stands for Sun Protection Factor and is an indicator of the level of protection it offers against UV radiation, with higher numbers indicating greater protection. Always apply adequate sun screen when going out. If you are going to be exposed to water as well, make sure that the sunscreen you choose is waterproof. If you are going out for a long day outdoors, carry sunscreen with you, and reapply periodically.
4. Diet
What we eat influences our skin in many ways. Not only it is good to include skin friendly nutrients in your diet, but it is equally important to ensure that your diet includes a healthy balance of fats, proteins, and carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and adequate amount of fluids. Make sure you are getting a good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Try and include carrots, leafy green vegetables, liver, fish, blueberries, and mango in your diet.
5. Cosmetic Products
Most people end up layering their skin unnecessarily with skincare products that may actually be harmful for your skin. Keep your skincare regimen simple. Audit your dresser today. A cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen should be the basic cosmetic products. An exfoliator and a retinoid should complete your range of skin products. If you are leading a healthy life the use unnecessary cosmetic products could be easily minimized.
6. No smoking, No drinking
The worst thing you can do to your skin is to smoke. Smoking causes not only early wrinkling and spotting of skin, but it also irritates the skin externally from the heat and the smoke. Quit smoking and you will begin to see the beneficial effect on your skin health within days. Alcohol too dehydrates your skin beyond belief and to a point where standard rehydration measures might be of no avail. If you have been drinking, ensure that you take a break and replenish yourself with plenty of fluids.
Follow these simple secrets for a gorgeous skin and you will be turning heads with your looks before you know it, and when they come asking what you did for that gorgeous skin, let them know it was nothing but using some common sense.