Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin

Good skin care can keep your skin healthy and glowing. Get tips on gentle cleansing, sun safety and more.

Don't have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself. Basic skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent early aging and other skin issues. Get started with these five tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

Apply sunscreen before go outdoors.

For the most complete sun protection:

• Use sunscreen:Use a palm-sized amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Put on more sunscreen every two hours or more often if you swim or sweat.

• Seek shade: Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That's when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest.

• Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. Clothes with dark colors tend to give more protection than do those with light colors. Some sun-protective clothing is made to block UV rays. You also can use laundry additives that give clothing an extra layer of UV protection for a certain number of washings.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes skin look older and plays a part in wrinkles forming. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This lessens blood flow and makes skin duller. It also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are key for skin health.

Smoking damages fibers called collagen and elastin that give skin strength and suppleness. What's more, the facial expressions that people make over and over while smoking can play a role in wrinkles. These expressions include pursing the lips when breathing smoke in and squinting the eyes to keep out smoke.

Smoking also raises the risk of squamous cell skin cancer, especially on the lips. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your healthcare professional for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can be rough on your skin. Follow these tips for gentle skin care:

• Limit bath time: Some experts say it's ideal to bathe for no longer than five minutes at a time. Use warm water rather than hot water.

• Don't use strong soaps: Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from the skin. Choose mild cleansers instead.

• Shave carefully: It's ideal to shave after bathing when your skin is moist. To help protect your skin, put on shaving cream, lotion, or gel before you start shaving. Use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. And rinse the razor after each stroke of the blade.

• Pat dry: After you wash or bathe, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel. That way, some moisture stays on your skin.

• Moisturize dry skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, try a moisturizer that contains SPF to help protect your skin from the sun.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A balanced diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Fresh fruits and vegetables may be especially helpful at preventing damage that can lead to early skin aging. Drink plenty of water to help keep your skin hydrated too. Limit foods and drinks with added sugar, processed snacks, and other refined carbohydrates. Some studies suggest that a diet high in refined carbs stripped of nutrition can speed up aging.

The connection between diet and acne isn't clear. But some research links acne with drinking lots of milk or eating lots of processed foods that raise blood sugar quickly. Limited research suggests that nutrients such as fiber and omega-3 fats show promise at helping control acne. But more studies are needed to be sure.

5. Manage stress

Too much stress can make skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin conditions.

To boost your chances for healthy skin and a healthy state of mind, take some steps to manage your stress:

• Get enough sleep.
• Add more movement into your day, such as taking a brisk walk.
• Scale back your to-do list.
• Try meditation or yoga.
• Make time to do the things you enjoy and see the people you care about.

The results for your skin might be more dramatic than you expect.

How to get clear skin fast

There is no instant way to clear acne or blemishes, but strategies that can help include avoiding touching the skin or popping pimples, washing frequently, and using products suited to the specific problem and the person’s skin type.

In general, people with acne or blemishes have skin that is dry, oily, or a combination of the two. Numerous skin care tips exist for different skin types, and there are also general tips that people can try.

Anyone uncertain about their skin care routine should consult a dermatologist for additional advice.

Read on to discover general skin care tips, as well as tips for people with dry, oily, or combination skin types.

General skin care tips

Wearing sunscreen can help to protect oily screen from sunlight

People may wish to try these general tips for getting clear skin fast. People also may wish to know what is the natural way to keep skin healthy, What is the best natural skin care routine?What is the best natural thing to put on your skin?

Avoid popping pimples

A pimple is a sign that your skin is trying to heal itself. It forms when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria get trapped in the pores, causing inflammation. While it may be tempting to pop it, doing so interferes with the body’s natural healing process. By squeezing it, you risk spreading bacteria to the surrounding skin, which can cause more pimples. Moreover, this can lead to scarring that may last long after the pimple heals. To promote better skin health, it’s best to avoid popping pimples and keep the area clean if one does break open.

Wash twice daily, and again after sweating

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people wash twice daily and then again after sweating.

Leaving sweat on the skin and allowing it to dry can make acne worse, so it is best to wash the skin as soon as possible after sweating.

Avoid touching the face

Touching the face with the hands can deposit dirt, oils, and bacteria onto the skin and lead to breakouts. Avoiding touching the face can help prevent this.

Moisturize

All skin types can benefit from moisturizing after a daily face wash. Keeping the face moisturized may help control sebum production and prevent damage from the outside elements.

The most effective moisturizer will vary in each case, depending on the person’s skin type. Anyone uncertain of what moisturizers will work for them should contact a dermatologist.

Some types they may recommend include oil-free moisturizers and moisturizers that are noncomedogenic, which means that they do not clog the pores.

Use skin care product that match your skin's needs

Always wear sunscreen

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin. Wearing sunscreen whenever outdoors can help protect the skin from these harmful rays.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it is best to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 when spending time outdoors. Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 15 daily can also help reduce damage to the skin.

If spending time outdoors, it is best to apply sunscreen around 30 minutes before going outside, and then reapplying it every 2 hours.

Focus on gentle products

Gentle products can be kinder to the skin, particularly if it is sensitive. Products that can irritate sensitive skin include:

• Alcohol-based products
• Fragranced products
• Toners
• Exfoliants
• Astringents

Gentle, hypoallergenic versions of these products do exist. However, it is still important to test a small area of skin for reactions before applying any product to a more extensive area.

Tools such as washcloths, rough sponges, or loofahs may be too rough for the skin, causing damage and irritation. Some more gentle options exist, such as soft cleansing brushes. Alternatively, using clean fingers to massage a cleanser into the face may help prevent extra irritation.

It is important to ensure brushes and sponges are clean, as bacteria can cause further irritation or breakouts.

Use topical medications

Topical medications may help people of all skin types control acne. Several different medicated products are available.

• Benzoyl peroxide, with or without other ingredients, such as antibiotics
• Salicylic acid
• Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin
• Dapsone, which is a combination of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic
• Azelaic acid to kill bacteria and decrease the production of keratin, a natural substance that can lead to the development of acne

Stay hydrated

All cells in the body need water. The skin cells are closest to the environment and, therefore, may be more at risk of losing their moisture to the elements. Drinking water throughout the day may help keep the skin cells healthy.

Stay Hydrated

Eat a healthful diet

Eating a diet rich in various plant foods and lean protein sources may help provide the nutrients that the skin needs to stay healthy.

People looking to keep their skin clear may also want to cut out specific foods, such as dairy milk. A 2018 review found a positive relationship between milk and acne. Some believe that this link is due to the growth compounds and hormones that the milk contains.

However, everyone may have different trigger foods that make their symptoms worse.

Use natural makeup products

Sometimes, makeup products can aggravate breakouts. Switching to natural makeup products or those designed to let the pores breathe may help reduce breakouts from makeup.

It is also important to remove all makeup each night and clean any makeup brushes or tools regularly.

Reduce stress

It is important to minimize stress whenever possible. The authors of a 2017 article highlight the link between stress and acne, stating that stress can increase inflammatory compounds in the body. Strong feelings of anger or emotional stress may lead to an acne breakout or make symptoms worse.

Stress management techniques include:

• Getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
• Massages or acupuncture
• Engaging in calming practices, such as meditation or breathing exercises
• Yoga and tai chi

In conclusion, achieving clear skin quickly requires a consistent skincare routine, healthy lifestyle choices, and patience. By cleansing, exfoliating, and using targeted treatments, you can address the root causes of breakouts. Alongside this, staying hydrated, eating well, managing stress, and getting proper rest all contribute to healthier skin. While results may not be instant, sticking to these habits will lead to long-term improvements and a clearer, more radiant complexion. Remember, consistency is key to achieving and maintaining clear skin.