Skincare is an essential element of overall personal healthcare, and the daily use of quality moisturizers is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for healthy skin.
How can you improve your skincare? We map out some helpful tips and tricks below to help enhance your overall skin health and better protect you from skin disease and cancer.
Improve Your Facial Skin
- Choose the right moisturizer by looking for a moisturizer that suits your skin type. If you have oily skin, opt for a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer. A richer, cream-based moisturizer might be better if you have dry skin.
- Serums are the thinnest formulas, followed by lotions, then creams (the thickest). The thickness of your epidermis determines how thick of a formula your skin can absorb. Use serums for thin skin, and use creams for the thickest skin.
- Seek out the best ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides are excellent for hydration. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E can help protect your skin from environmental damage.
- The eye area (both underneath the eye and the eyelid) is more sensitive than the rest of the face. Most face creams are not intended for use in the eye area, so consider using a separate eye cream. This sounds like extra work, but it’s worth it.
- After cleansing your face, apply moisturizer to lock in moisture while your skin is still slightly damp.
- Don’t forget SPF! Use a moisturizer with SPF during the day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays—but not in the eye area!
Enhance Your Body’s Skin
- Body skin is generally thicker and less sensitive than facial skin, so you can use a thicker cream or lotion. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, cocoa butter, and oils like jojoba or almond.
- Apply moisturizer immediately after showering when your skin is still damp to help seal in moisture.
- Dry areas such as elbows, knees, and feet tend to be the most affected, so pay extra attention to them.
- Skin can be irritated by chemicals, including added scents. If you react negatively to a product containing oil, try water-based products instead. Similarly, try an unscented product if a scent bothers your skin.
Adjust Your Lifestyle for Better Skin Health
- Drinking plenty of water helps hydrate your skin from the inside out.
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can improve your skin’s appearance.
- Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils, so opt for lukewarm water when showering instead.
- Consider washing your face with facial cleansers rather than regular soap. Ideally, cleanse and moisturize your face in the morning and before bed.
- Use exfoliating products on your face and body to slough off dead skin cells, leaving fresh skin to absorb your new products. Most exfoliators are meant to be used weekly, but some are okay to use more frequently. Never exfoliate the eye area, and do not exfoliate before a day in the sun because fresh skin is more vulnerable to the sun’s rays.
By prioritizing your skin’s health, you’ll be less vulnerable to skin disease and cancer, look a bit younger than your peers, and feel more confident.
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Header Image Credit: lenanichizhenova