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1. It seems like milk gets all the credit for doing a body good, but let's not forget about water! Water hydrates skin and cleans out harmful toxins. Doctors recommend 8-9 glasses per day. Dehydrated skin has a tendency to look worn and lined, whereas hydrated skin looks vibrant and healthy.
2. Always wear sunscreen with an SPF15 or higher (30 is ideal) to avoid premature aging and sun damage. The easiest way to do this is to use moisturizer and/or foundation with built in SPF.
3. Don't forget to moisturize day and night! There are so many creams on the market that will benefit your skin type. Use a lighter moisturizer during the day that can go under your makeup and a heavier solution-specific cream at night while you sleep, when skin is more absorbent. To lock in the moisture, make sure to apply it while skin is still damp.
4. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. These are high in antioxidants and help provide protection against the environment.
5. Increase blood circulation by exercising regularly. This helps in the renewal of skin cells by carrying more nutrients to the skin. Just remember to cleanse your skin after working out to avoid the build up of bacteria. Keeping a cleansing towelette in your gym bag can help. Regular exercise is also beneficial because it releases stress hormones which can contribute to acne.
6. Never, I repeat NEVER go to bed with makeup on. You will end up sleeping with a load of free radicals from the pollution that your makeup has absorbed during the day. This can age your skin, contribute to cellular damage, and cause breakouts. If you are too tired to wash your face, keep cleansing towelettes by your bed and massage onto your skin for thirty seconds to loosen up makeup dirt and oils.
7. Speaking of - they don't call it beauty sleep for nothing. When you are in your deepest stage of sleep, growth hormones increase and initiate cell and tissue repair. Limited or restless sleep cuts into this restorative process. To attain a good night's sleep, try doing something that relaxes you, whether it be listening to relaxing music, reading a book, or taking a warm bath.
8. The skin around your eyes is about a third as thick as the rest of your face, therefore, it is extremely fragile. Use eye creams sparingly, try not to rub your eyes, and remove makeup by soaking cotton pads in makeup remover and pressing them lightly onto the eyes for ten seconds before gently wiping clean.
9. Don't smoke. Smoking contributes to wrinkles and depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as Vitamin A. It also damages collagen and elastin, which give your skin its strength. Not to mention, the repetitive pursing of your lips and squinting of your eyes every time you inhale leads to lines and wrinkles.
10. Enhance your natural beauty! Accentuate your best features rather than masking them with tons of makeup.
