Our skin is our largest organ and arguably one of the most important! Not only is skin the body’s first line of defense, but it’s also a part of us we show to the world every day. So, we want our skin to be healthy, smooth, and radiant.
Our skin goes through a lot! From changing temperatures to bad air quality and more, it’s easy for our skin to be negatively impacted by the environment. Luckily, skin is regenerative and resilient. You can take steps to bring your dull skin back to life and get radiant skin instantly.
Keep reading to learn some key actions you can take to get healthier, more radiant skin.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Your skin is nourished from the inside out – so your diet is important in achieving radiant skin. Skin health is supported greatly by vitamin C and collagen; both components that can be found in several food sources.
Some foods to try for better skin health include:
- Mangoes – these fruits are high in antioxidants, which protect and support collagen formation in the skin.
- Olive oil – this popular cooking oil is shown to reduce the effects of sunlight damage and photoaging.
- Green tea – this beverage is packed with antioxidants that help the skin thrive.
- Omega 3 – commonly found in fish like salmon, it helps skin retain moisture and youthful bounce.
Mitigate Stress
Stress can result in negative effects in several areas of the body, including the skin. In a study conducted at Temple University, researchers found a correlation between higher stress levels and skin abnormalities. Those with higher stress levels had high incidences of skin rashes, hair loss, excessive sweating, a flaky or oily scalp, and more.
The reason for this might be due to an uptick in sebum production during high-stress periods. In normal quantities, sebum moisturizes and protects the skin. However, when stress or hormonal changes happen, sebum production can be too rapid, and result in blocked pores and other skin issues.
Stay Moisturized
Your skin barrier, or outer layer, requires care and protection to remain healthy. Moisturizers contain compounds to attract and retain moisture on the skin. In addition, some contain emollients, to smooth the outer skin cells, producing more radiant skin.
Apart from moisturizing with a high-quality lotion, you should be sure to never dry out your skin. Hot showers and excessive sunlight exposure can easily dry out the skin. You should minimize your exposure to extremely hot temperatures, along with using quality lotion.
Prioritize Sleep
How much sleep you get and the quality of rest you’re having has a big impact on your skin. Dark circles around the eyes often form from sleep deprivation. Your skin needs sleep to recover and regenerate. Those who sleep poorly have been shown to have more premature aging of the skin. Nighttime is when the skin recovers – so if you’re not getting enough rest, your skin isn’t either. Aim for seven hours a night at minimum, although eight to nine is optimal.
Quit Smoking
There are so many impactful reasons to quit smoking – it can lead to cancer, COPD, and other life-threatening conditions. If you need the motivation to quit, look no further than the skin. The free radicals produced while smoking can permanently damage the skin, causing a person to look older than they are.
Plus, the repetitive facial motions made while smoking can eventually cause deep wrinkles.
Conclusion
Everyone wants brighter and youthful-looking skin. Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to improve your skin health and stay looking bright for years to come!