In these uncertain times, taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is as important as ever. And with all the stress and anxiety brought about by the global health crisis, people are continuing to find new ways to cope with everything that’s happening. Some people have found comfort in self-care, which comes in many forms: baking, cooking, making arts and crafts, working out, and more.
However, one thing we shouldn’t forget to take care of is our skin. Our daily habits significantly impact our skin, from mindless snacking to blue light and even face masks. While we may not have had time to properly take care of our skin in the past, there’s no better time to start now. Practice one form of self-care by protecting and caring for your skin with these helpful tips.
Protect Your Skin
One of the most effective ways to care for your skin is to protect it. This often means guarding it against the sun using large sun hats and wearing sunscreen. As many Americans are spending more time at home, being out in the sun for long periods of time isn’t something that often happens these days. Instead, long work hours and online classes are causing prolonged exposure to the blue light emitting from our screens. Not only is this bad for the eyes, but it can also speed up the skin’s aging process and lead to hyperpigmentation.
Protect your skin from the harmful effects of the blue light by using sunscreen that has zinc or iron oxide and plant probiotics. This way, you’ll be able to keep your youthful glow without having to sacrifice your work or studies, but it’s also important to remember to take a break once in a while.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking has a lot of negative effects on the body, even our skin. With more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, it can deprive our skin of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to keep our skin tone even. It can also damage or destroy collagen and elastin, making the skin sag as a result. Unfortunately, the damage smoking does to our bodies doesn’t stop there. The facial expressions you repeatedly make, such as puckering your lips and squinting your eyes when smoking, can lead to wrinkles.
Whether you’ve been smoking for a long time or have just started smoking, the best way you can protect your skin is to quit the habit.
Be Gentle to Your Skin
Harsh cleansers and toners can end up doing more bad than good for your skin. It’s important to have an effective skincare routine, as it serves as another layer of defense against the signs of aging and other skin issues one might experience. However, there are other ways to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.
Using harsh cleansers can strip your skin of essential oils and leave it feeling tight and dry after washing, a sign of over-cleansing. Instead, do some research on your skin type and find the right products that work for you. It helps to use milder cleansers and toners to keep your skin healthy without stripping it of the essential oils.
Prolonged showers, scorching ones, can inflame your skin and strip your skin of the necessary oils, nutrients, and fats that your body needs to keep your skin healthy. If you like a long shower, consider turning down the temperature while you do so. Otherwise, try taking shorter showers instead.
Whether your skin is dry, oily, or combination, having a moisturizer that fits your skin type is important. If you’re going to use it every day, consider getting a daily face moisturizer with enough SPF to protect you from UV rays.
Eat Healthily
The stress that many are experiencing is causing Americans to snack more often at home, and if you aren’t much of a health buff, this could become a problem. Not only does it make you gain weight, but it can also affect your skin. Try to limit your snacking and focus on having healthier meals that include fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and whole-grain foods. Don’t forget to hydrate yourself and your skin throughout the day with water, especially during the hotter months.
Manage Your Stress
If you’re prone to acne, stress can easily be one of the main reasons for your breakouts. It’s important to take a step back now and then from the things that bring you stress and anxiety. Consider scaling back your to-do list, spreading your tasks throughout the week, making time to enjoy your hobbies, get the right amount of sleep, and eat the right food to keep your body as well as your skin healthy.
With more “me” time on our hands during the pandemic, taking care of health is as important as ever, and caring for our skin is a part of it. Luckily, healthy and glowing skin isn’t as hard to achieve as you may think. With a little time, research, and dedication, you can get that youthful glow that will shine through your mask and virtual meetings.