Skincare Do’s & Don’ts for Better Skin

 Are you giving your skin the TLC it needs to stay beautiful and radiant? Find out what you should and shouldn’t be doing for healthy skin.

DO: Eat a Balanced Diet

Great skin starts with what you put into your body. It’s tough to get glowing skin when you consume a lot of junk food, caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate your body and can dry out your skin, while sugary, greasy, and processed foods can contribute to inflammation, breakouts, and collagen loss. Treat your body and skin right by loading up on foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, E, and C, and beta carotene. Think dark leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fresh fruit. Also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

DON’T: Leave the House without Sunscreen

While you may desire a sun-kissed glow, excessive UV exposure can cause wrinkles, dryness, redness, and premature aging— not to mention skin cancer. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen year round, not just when it’s hot and sunny. UV rays can penetrate through clouds so it’s important to be protected even on cloudy days. Wear a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen on your face, hands, neck, and décolletage. For further protection, wear a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing. For the best protection, make sure you aren’t making these common sunscreen mistakes. Your skin will thank you!

DO:  Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

Are you someone who can’t help but pop or pick your pimples or blackheads? Picking your blemishes can cause scarring, irritation, and more breakouts. Avoid touching your face altogether, as your fingers can transfer dirt, bacteria, and oil onto your skin and cause breakouts.

DON’T: Take Hot Showers

Though a hot shower can feel relaxing and soothing, it is less than ideal for your skin. Hot water upsets your skin’s natural moisture balance, stripping it of the natural oils and proteins that keep it healthy.  Taking hot showers can also cause inflammation, dryness, redness, irritation, and itching, and make your skin more prone to infection.  Instead, shower in warm or cool water, and don’t take more than two showers in a day.

DO: Develop a Skincare Regimen That Works for You

Everyone’s skin is different, so use products that are specifically formulated for your skin type and condition. For instance, if you have dry skin, using too many exfoliating products can increase dryness and irritation. And, while you may be tempted to cake on the moisturizer, using too much actually makes it more difficult for your skin to absorb moisture.
Consider talking to a dermatologist or skincare professional to determine your skin type and the types of products you should be using. If you’re stilling following the same skin routine in your thirties as you were in your early twenties, then it’s about time for an update. Once you’ve developed a skincare regimen, follow it regularly. If you skip days, you won’t see the results you want.

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