Top Ten Tips For Caring For Your Skin (and Overall Health!)

Tip #1: Beware the Sun!

Remember back when we were kids? How we’d go outside all the time and groan each time our parents would remind us to put some sunscreen on beforehand? Well, our folks had the right idea. In fact, they had the best idea, considering how dangerous prolonged exposure to the sun can truly be!

By choosing to spend many hours out in the hot sun without any form of protection, you’re exposing your skin to age spots, wrinkles, and many other skin problems. Not to mention that you’re increasing your chance of developing skin cancer. As a matter of fact, my own father spent twenty years working with the telephone company (back when people still had landlines). The result of that work? Numerous blotches on his back, arms, and face have had to be treated by a few dermatologists over the years.

I asked him one day what he could’ve done to prevent this from happening.

He told me, “Use more sunscreen.”

Apply sunscreen each time you plan on going out in the sun for long periods of time. If you’re someone who sweats a lot (like I am), then you’ll have to keep reapplying the sunscreen every few hours to keep the effect active (most doctors recommend two hours in-between each application).

Additionally, be sure to wear the proper attire when going outside on a hot day. Sunglasses, shorts, tank-tops/t-shirts, and sandals, preferably. And to help, even more, seek shade as often as possible. If you live in an area full of trees, this shouldn’t be too challenging!

Tip #2: Refrain From Smoking

Other than just generally being gross, smoking can cause a plethora of terrible things to happen to your body. For starters, it can make your skin look older and wrinklier. Smoking also thins the blood vessels in your skin, which not only decreases blood flow, but it also can make your skin paler. This can also restrict oxygen flow as well as the regulation of special nutrients needed for your skin.
Smoking also harms the parts of your skin that give it elasticity and durability. In addition, some of the more frequent facial expressions you make when smoking, such as sticking your lips out when sucking in tobacco, can contribute to wrinkles. To top it all off, smoking is responsible for several forms of cancer, including lung, skin, ovarian, kidney, and more.

So yeah. Please don’t smoke, guys. It’s bad for you.

Tip #3: Practice Mindful Bathing

What? Mindful bathing? What does that even mean?

Believe it or not, the way you bathe can quite easily affect the healthiness of your skin. Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. Many of us bathe every day, but sometimes that’s just not the best idea. Granted, not all bodies are the same and some of us naturally require more baths than others.

If you’re someone who bathes daily, try to shorten the time spent in the tub. Natural bodily oils can be removed by hot water, whether it be from resting water found in baths or it is falling water from the showerhead. Limit the time spent in the shower or bath and be sure to use warm water, rather than hot or cold. Also, if all possible, try to refrain from using particularly strong soaps, as they can also harm your skin by removing the natural bodily oils. Replace those with mild cleansers!
As for shaving, apply shaving cream every time. It lubricates your skin and also helps protect you from the not-so-nice nicks that can come from razor blades. Also, shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it. And when you’re finally done with all of this, pat your skin dry; don’t fiercely rub.

Tip #4: Don’t Stress Out!

Stress. Everybody’s arch-nemesis.

Prolonged stress can make your skin extra sensitive, which can sometimes trigger acne breakouts and other problems with your skin. Just relax! Don’t dwell on small things, be nice to yourself, and treat yourself to nice things once in a while. You deserve it!

Tip #5: Enjoy an Occasional Massage

Yes, really!

Going hand-in-hand with stress management, massages can really ease your nerves and loosen those stiff joints. Not to mention that it’s helpful for your skin, too! When muscles tighten up, it can bunch up your skin as well. This not only puts your skin’s health at risk, but it’s just incredibly uncomfortable!

If you’re not sure about the type of massage you’d like to experience, here’s an incredibly useful article that lists all sorts of different massage methods for your pleasure.

Tip #6: Maintain a Healthy Diet

This part I’m sure you all were expecting. With all of the healthy nutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables, there’s no wonder why so many people cite healthy diets as a key factor in maintaining healthy skin health. If you’re not sure what diet is the best for you, consider seeking advice from your local dietitian. They can get you on the right track in a jiffy!

Tip #7: Drink Lots of Water

Going hand-in-hand with dieting, drinking plenty of water does wonder for your skin health as well as your overall health. That Pepsi might look good right now, but the chemicals and acids that are present in it? Not so much! Water is pure, and free of harmful acids and chemicals. Take care of yourself and dump the caffeine!

Tip #8: Moisturize Your Skin

Yes yes, I know I said in the beginning of this article that moisturizer alone can’t help your skin. I still stand by that statement even now. However, just because moisturizer shouldn’t be used alone doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be used at all. Moisturizers are still very helpful in keeping your pores clear and clean. Thankfully, the market is FULL of different moisturizer brands you can use. Do your research and decide which brand is best for you!

Tip #9: Get Your ZZZs

Doctors typically recommend that fully grown adults get around seven to nine hours of sleep each night, while children and teens should aim for around eight or nine. I know how hard it can be to make sure you’re getting all the needed amount of sleep (trust me, I know EXACTLY how it feels to be without the recommended amount!). But getting enough sleep is so very helpful in a number of ways. Other than helping your skin health by stabilizing the chemicals in your body during REM sleep, sleep also helps you mentally. Take care of yourself and go to sleep on time!

Tip #10: Beware Wandering Germs

Now I’m not saying you should all become massive germaphobes or anything, but you should still be mindful of what your hands’ touch and how often you wash your hands. Far too often, we touch surfaces that look clean on the surface but are actually infested with TONS of germs and bacteria. And where do your hands go afterward? Usually your mouth or face. Gross!

Wash your hands frequently!