Beauty is more about healthy skin than full-glam makeup. And healthy skin comes not only with expensive but also with certain lifestyle changes and habits that make skin glow from within.
Although we all might have an idea about what those habits are, let us remind ourselves about the 10 good skincare habits for beautiful and healthy skin.
We are going to talk about the 10 top habits you need to adopt along with the science behind how these simple habits work to make your skin ageless, glowing, and radiant.
So, let us begin our journey to healthy skin with this informative article.
Good Skincare Habits for Beautiful and Healthy Skin
Here are the 10 must-have habits to repair, maintain, and improve the health of the skin.
1. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Moisturizing the skin is great. However, it cannot replace the intake of water that your body needs to maintain the fluid volume of the cells. Water helps in plumping and hydrating the skin from within.
Additionally, it helps in detoxifying the harmful wastes that accumulate in the skin and flush them out of the body. Therefore, drink more water, fresh juices, and foods that contain a high volume of fluids to quench the thirst of your skin.
A study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology concluded that people who drink more water have well-hydrated skin with better physiology and biochemistry as compared to the ones who have low water intake[1].
2. Pay Attention to Your Diet
As you must already be aware, the skin needs certain vitamins like vitamins A, B complex, C, and E; minerals like zinc and selenium; fats like omega, 3 and unsaturated fats; and proteins like collagen to stay in the best of its health.
These nutrients work as antioxidants, fulfill the energy demands of the skin, provide it with structural components, and ultimately make it healthy. So, incorporate fruits, vegetables, and meat that are rich in these nutrients.
Also, avoid fast food, processed meals, alcohol, smoking, and excessive caffeine as it can make the skin dry. A study published in News, Medical, Net highlights the impact of diet on the health of normal and diseased skin [2].
3. Never Skip the Basic Steps of Skincare
You do not need expensive products and a 10-step skincare routine to strengthen the barrier of your skin, prevent build-up, shrink the pores, and finally make it glow. A basic skincare routine is enough to maintain the health of the skin.
The basic steps of a skincare routine are cleansing twice a day with a compatible cleanser, toning it afterward to enhance the effects of the cleanser, and then moisturizing it to strengthen the skin barrier.
These are the mandatory steps of every skincare routine regardless of the skin type. So, never miss these. Also, check out the 12 good deodorants for women’s body odor.
4. Sun Protection is a Must
Sun protection is the 4th and the most important part of the skincare routine. That is why we are discussing it separately. No matter how intense your skincare routine is or how effective your products are, all that goes to waste if you are not protecting the skin from the sun.
Unprotected exposure to UV rays is associated with premature aging, uneven skin tone, and increased risk of skin cancer. Therefore, you must wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater. Furthermore, reapply the sunscreen after 2-3 hours when you are in direct sunlight.
Additionally, you can wear sun hats and take umbrellas as you go out in the summer. A study by Megan Sander MD and her fellows illustrates the efficacy of wearing sunscreen for the prevention of skin cancer [3].
5. Sleep Adequately
One of the most neglected parts of our daily lives that affect the skin badly is lack of sleep, poor sleep patterns, and bad sleep habits. The skin cells do not rest when you sleep. Rather the skin repairs the damaged cells, removes the dead cells, and regenerates new cells to give you a bright and even complexion.
Also, adequate sleep prevents the dullness of the skin, under-eye puffiness, and dark circles. So, make sure to sleep at least 6-8 hours every day no matter how busy your life is if you want healthy skin.
The importance of sleep for healthy skin can be determined by research that evaluated the association of skin health with quality of sleep [4].
6. Exercise, Yoga, Walk
Do you think exercise is only good for your skeletal and cardiovascular health? Well, let us tell you that it is not the case. Exercise is important for every organ of the body including the skin.
Exercise improves blood circulation throughout the body. As a result, more nutrients along with oxygen are supplied to the skin. It also makes the body sweat while removing the toxins from the skin.
Lastly, exercise helps in managing the body weight and hormonal imbalance associated with obesity. So, walk 10,000 feet, do yoga, or exercise every day to help your skin stay well.
Also, check the best exercises for good skin here.
7. Keep Your Stress Level Low
Although not too obvious, stress destroys the health of the skin like nothing else. Stress directly affects the genetic makeup of the cells and damages DNA. It reduces the immunity of the body and makes skin prone to acne by bacteria.
Additionally, it interferes with diet and sleep as well. All these factors cause premature aging and give skin a dull complexion. Therefore, start meditation, yoga, or therapy to manage your stress and go easy on your skin.
A study on how stress management helps in treating several conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and more [5].
8. Choose Skincare That Suits You
What works well for others might leave your skin in chaos. Every skin is different and so are its needs. Therefore, first of all, determine your skin type and then research the products that are suitable for your skin.
Choose the products according to your skin and give up on any product or ingredient that causes a reaction. Also, always do a patch test before using any new product.
Lastly, try buying products that are made of natural ingredients, have no added fragrances, or harsh ingredients in the,
9. Take Skin Supplements
Our diet might not be enough to supply the skin with all the nutrients it needs to glow and grow. Also, some skin conditions result because of the deficiency of certain nutrients.
So, start taking supplements with biotin, collagen, zinc, selenium, vitamins, antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. These nutrients reduce acne, slow down aging, nourish the skin, and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
10. Consult a Dermatologist, When Needed
Although you should not feel much bothered by a pimple popping on your skin, the reaction caused by a certain product, or skin feeling dull every once in a while, you need to consult an expert when any of such conditions of the skin become persistent.
Cystic or inflammatory acne, eczema, psoriasis, and similar conditions require proper treatment by a dermatologist rather than household remedies.
So, do not be afraid of going to a doctor when needed.
Conclusion
Attaining healthy skin is not as difficult as it may seem. All you need is a few healthy habits and staying consistent with those lifestyle modifications.
These include proper hydration, a healthy diet, a basic skincare routine, protection from the sun, 6-8 hours of sleep, less stress, more exercise, and a personalized skincare routine.
So, start adopting these habits and see how your skin becomes young, beautiful, and radiant. Also, do not forget your teeth and see the good ways to whiten the teeth naturally at home here.
References
- Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. LÃdia Palma, Liliana Tavares Marques, Julia Bujan, and LuÃs Monteiro Rodrigues. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015; 8: 413–421. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
- Skin Health Starts from Within the Importance of Diet in Dermatology. Maria Ahsan Bsc and Lilly Ramsey, LLM. April 24, 2023. New Medical Net. www.news-medical.net/health/Skin-Health-Starts-from-Within-the-Importance-of-Diet-in-Dermatology.aspx
- The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer.  Megan Sander, MD, corresponding author Michael Sander, DMD, Toni Burbidge, MD, and Jennifer Beecker, MD. CMAJ. 2020 Dec 14; 192(50): E1802–E1808. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7759112/
- Does poor sleep quality affect skin aging? Â P Oyetakin-White 1, A Suggs, B Koo, M S Matsui, D Yarosh, K D Cooper, E D Baron. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015 Jan;40(1):17-22. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266053/
- Â Stress and Skin: An Overview of Mind-Body Therapies as a Treatment Strategy in Dermatology. Rachel Graubard, corresponding author1 Ariadna Perez-Sanchez, and Rajani Katta. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021 Oct; 11(4): e2021091. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8480446/
