Are you struggling to achieve flawless skin? This article highlights a few tips to help your skin appear smooth and radiant. From assessing your skincare to avoiding the sun, here’s everything you should know:
1. Try Acne Medication
There are hundreds of over-the-counter products saying they’ll cure acne. Think about it. How many commercials and ads do you see on a daily basis promising to leave your skin looking flawless? While these products work for some, they don’t work for all. If you’ve been experimenting with over-the-counter products, unsuccessfully, it’s time to make a change.
You deserve to live an acne-free life, and that might mean you need an acne prescription. Whether that’s using a topical cream or getting prescribed birth control, a medicated treatment might make the difference for your skin. And luckily, there are healthcare companies that can send you medication that works.
2. Watch Your Stress
Chances are you know stress can have a negative impact on your well-being. Not only can stress wreak havoc on your health, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin.
Stress affects your hormonal balance and your skin’s immune function. This can make your skin oily and clog your pores, leading to acne. It’s important to note that stress won’t cause you to form acne out of nowhere. However, if you have acne-prone skin, stress can worsen symptoms.
Avoiding stress is easier said than done. Between work, raising families, and trying to maintain relationships, there’s more than enough stress to go around. Luckily, there are things you can do to ease your stress levels. For one, it’s important you consume a healthy and balanced diet. Making time to exercise and practicing deep breathing can also make a big difference.
3. Evaluate Your Skincare
It’s important to remember that your skin constantly changes. Products that worked for you years ago might not work anymore, and that’s okay. But that’s why it’s important to reassess your skincare regimen, especially if you’re noticing pimples.
You want to curate your skincare to your symptoms. If you’re experiencing acne, look for acne-fighting products. These contain ingredients known to treat acne, like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids. These three over-the-counter ingredients are considered some of the best when it comes to clearing up skin.
Benzoyl peroxide works by killing bacteria on your skin that causes acne. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that helps prevent clogged pores and remove dead skin cells. Alpha hydroxy acid is similar to salicylic acid, as it also removes dead skin cells. However, alpha hydroxy acids also help to reduce inflammation. What you put on your skin matters, so make sure you’re using products specifically designed to treat your symptoms.
4. Eat Healthy Foods
Did you know the food you put in your body can have a direct impact on your skin? For instance, maybe you have a sugar tooth. Unfortunately, a diet high in sugar can contribute to breakouts. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to avoid eating sugar altogether. But you definitely don’t want to make sugar your main food group.
Dairy is another culprit. That’s because milk contains whey and casein, which stimulates the growth of insulin. This is known to trigger breakouts and may be the reason you’re experiencing acne. Do your best to cut back on dairy for at least a few weeks. If you notice a difference in your skin, you might want to consider eliminating dairy altogether. Thankfully, there are many options to make this easier like almond, oat, and even pea protein milk.
To keep your skin clear, focus on eating food high in collagen, like eggs and fish. This protein helps provide elasticity to your skin, keeping it tight. Collagen can also speed up the healing process, helping acne heal quicker.
5. Make Time For Exercise
You’re probably wondering exactly what exercise has to do with having clear skin. Everything! Believe it or not, exercise doesn’t just help you keep weight off. Every time you exercise, more blood is pumped through the vessels of your face. Not only does this increase the micronutrients in your body, but it also increases the healing properties of your skin. This blood flow also flushes waste and bacteria from your skin, helping it stay clear.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you need to start taking high-intensity classes two times a day, seven days a week. You don’t want to over-exercise or do things you’re not interested in. Any type of exercise, even moderate exercise, can be beneficial. So, if walking at a slow pace is more up your alley, stick with that.
6. Avoid The Sun
The sun may feel good on your skin, but its UV rays can cause sun damage. Not only can sun damage lead to skin cancer, but it can wreak havoc on your skin. Sun damage can show up on your skin in various ways. For instance, wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, and sunspots are all signs of sun damage. To keep your skin clear and smooth, make sure you’re protecting yourself from the sun.
Thankfully, there are a few ways you can protect yourself from unwanted sun exposure. One of the best ways is by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of at least 30. When wearing sunscreen, make sure you apply it for at least 15 minutes before you go outside and re-apply while you’re outside. In addition to sunscreen, consider wearing sun protective clothing and accessories, like a hat or sunglasses.
While there’s nothing wrong with spending some time outside, try to avoid the sun when it’s at its peak. For instance, the sun’s rays are usually highest around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If possible, stay inside. However, if you have to go outside, make sure you’re protected.
Achieving flawless skin won’t happen overnight. It takes time, and you might need to adopt some lifestyle changes. Use the tips above as a guide to help you on your journey to perfect skin.
