With warmer weather on the way and skin exposure an almost guarantee, many people are considering ways to make their skin appear healthy, moist and supple. While your skin may be on show more often in the summer months, it’s important to remember that your skin is the largest organ on your body and often the first to show signs of bad health. Keeping your skin healthy is a year round game, so read on to find out the best ways to get better skin.
Consider water
Consuming water is one of the biggest factors in a happy, healthy body. Clean water is the lubricant that keeps your body functioning well. Chronic dehydration (which is more common than we think) can show up in a multitude of ways, including dry patches on the skin, sallow looking skin, and dark circles. Skin may look slack and dull without the correct amount of moisture.
But the water you drink is not the only water you should take into consideration; your home’s water can also play a big role in your skin’s appearance. For example, soft water does not completely wash away soap residue, which can leave skin dull and prone to outbreaks. On the other hand, hard water can diminish lather in soaps and cause people to use more cleanser than they need, which leads to dry skin.
Consider having your home’s water tested or checking the water quality with your local government if you feel that you may be suffering from these issues.
Keep stress under control
Stress takes a huge toll on almost every part of your body. From your joints to your organs to your skin, stress can wreak havoc on a body. In a study conducted at Stanford University, it was found that students in the midst of high stress exams suffered from severe acne breakouts while those without exams did not.
Stress increases the body’s production of cortisol, a hormone that makes skin oilier and decreases our body’s ability to fight off acne-causing bacteria. To keep stress under control and your skin happy, consider regular practice of stress-management techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga.
Monitor your dairy intake
Recent studies from Harvard University have shown that teenaged girls who consumed a generous amount of milk and dairy products were more likely to have acne. Some experts believe that this side effect of increased dairy consumption also applies to adult women prone to breakouts. Surprisingly, this seems to be more common with people drinking skim milk than those drinking whole milk.
While the exact reason why this occurs is still being studied, some scientists suggest that the natural hormones in dairy products may be to blame. While cutting back on your dairy intake may not solve all your acne problems, it may help those who suffer from sever breakouts.
Stay aware of air quality
The air quality of your environment plays a big role in your skin’s appearance. Smoky environments, either from cigarettes or fires, hasten aging and releases free radicals that damage skin. As well, many indoor pollutants can adversely affect your skin, such as dry air or clogged filters.
If you have a furnace, change the air filter regularly and if you’re cooking with oil, use the range head fan. In the winter, dry indoor air can increase the appearance of fine lines, so consider running a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
Watch sun exposure
While everyone seems to be well aware that limiting exposure to the sun’s harmful rays at the height of the day is beneficial to your skin, most people don’t realize that UVA rays can also adversely affect you indoors. Higher skin cancer rates have been found on the left side of people’s bodies, due to their exposure to sun when they’re driving a car. Cancer aside, excessive exposure to UVA will prematurely age your skin and cause wrinkles.
To prevent this, wear a daily moisturizer on your face and on your body that contains an SPF.
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