Healthy skin is plump, firm and glowing, but there are a lot of things that can get in the way of great looking skin. Once you recognize what those things are, you can take steps to keep them from getting in the way of your radiant complexion.
Fortunately, in addition to the lotions and potions you can buy on store shelves, there are a lot of other lifestyle choices you can make to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy all day, every day.
Add these steps to your routine and you should start seeing positive results in just a few weeks. If not, see your dermatologist to rule out a specific skin issue that needs special treatment.
1. Try Herbal Oils
Oils are getting a huge following these days. While they should never replace any treatment prescribed by your dermatologist, some of them can be used in conjunction with traditional treatment methods for increased results. These herbs, when infused into oils that you place on your skin, have medicinal properties that can help ease inflammation and irritation as well as leave your skin looking healthy. Sage is your best bet, but thyme, comfrey, yarrow and red cedar are other great choices.pso
Infuse them in olive, almond or walnut oil for about 20 minutes before applying to your skin.
2. Get More Sleep
When you’re sleeping, your skin is working to restore and rejuvenate itself, so getting plenty of shut-eye on a regular basis is important. At the same time, being exhausted leads to stress, which can leave your skin struggling to turn over cells and produce healthy collagen. The experts say that most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you’re not getting that much, try pushing bedtime back by about 15 minutes every couple of days until you are sleeping enough.
3. Seek Shade
You already know that you should be wearing sunscreen anytime you are outdoors, but you should also be spending as much time as possible in the shade and out of the sun. The UV rays that the sun produces can lead to sunburn, aging and skin cancer. When you seek shelter in shady areas, you block a good portion of those rays from hitting your skin, helping protect it now and in the future.
4. Use Aloe On Your Skin
Aloe has been used for centuries as a way to soothe sunburn or contact burns on your skin. It’s also beneficial for treating chronic skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. The aloe contains compounds that soothe the skin and can help alleviate redness, dryness, flakes and general discomfort. You can buy aloe gel at many health stores, but it’s very easy to grow and when you need some, all you have to do is snip off a bit of one of the leaves and squeeze the gel out.
5. Skip Traditional Lotion
When you have dry, parched skin, it can seem like second nature to grab a bottle of lotion and rub some into the affected areas. However, if you’re looking for something natural, you probably aren’t getting it in traditional creams. Many of them contain harsh ingredients, dyes or fragrances that can irritate skin and exacerbate existing skin conditions. Instead, try massaging coconut oil, aloe vera or pure essential oils into your skin.
6. Take A Seaweed Bath
You’ve probably heard of using oatmeal in your bath for healthy skin, but a seaweed bath might be even better. According to the experts, seaweed is great for easing itching and can help restore health to dry, flaky skin. Simply boil seaweed in a large pot, and then pour it into your bathwater. Soak for 20 minutes and you should find relief almost instantly. Taking a seaweed bath on a regular basis will help you find long-term relief.
7. Consider Adding Calendula To Your Routine
Calendula is also known as marigold and has a whole host of skin benefits. When you use calendula as a topical treatment, you get several benefits due to the compounds it contains. That includes astringent, antibacterial and emollient benefits. When used regularly, calendula can help control bacterial issues and leave your skin soft and smooth all day long.
8. Stop Smoking
Cigarettes are definitely not natural, and if you want to try an all-natural way to boost skin health, it’s time to put down the cigarettes once and for all. Not only does smoking infuse your skin with toxins that can lead to aging, but the repeated motions of sucking on a cigarette can leave you with wrinkles around your mouth. Finally, smoking damages collagen and elastin, which can lead to sagging skin, even at a young age. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about a method that could work for you.
9. Baby Your Skin In The Bath
One of the easiest and most natural ways to get and keep healthy skin is to change up your bath or shower routine. Your first step is to reduce the water temperature. Really hot water sucks the moisture, out of your skin, leaving it parched and itchy. Make the switch to lukewarm water and your skin will look and feel better. Next, eliminate harsh soaps in favor of those made with natural ingredients. Then, when you step out of the bath or shower, pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it. Combined, these three steps will help you take tender loving care of your skin without much effort.
10. Eat The Right Foods
Your diet plays a big role in how healthy your skin is. That’s because your skin relies on a certain number of nutrients to stay soft, supple and radiant. When you are deficient in these nutrients, it will manifest on your skin in the form of dryness, flaking, redness and acne. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats, such as soda, candy, cake, fast food, chips and fried food. Instead, eat a variety of foods from each food group to satisfy your nutrient needs.
Of particular importance are protein and vitamin C. You can find protein in lean meats, fish, beans, eggs, nuts and seeds. Vitamin C is abundant in bell peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries and kiwis.
Skin needs to be taken care of to stay healthy, just like any other part of your body. There are many ways you can do this, but it will take a bit of time and effort to get into the habit of doing good things for you skin.
If you still have issues or are having trouble with a certain aspect of skin health, be sure to book an appointment with your dermatologist to find answers and create a treatment plan that works for you. Taking care of your skin is a choice you’ll never regret.
