HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN

Skincare is more than just cleaning your skin and using lotion. It involves a whole process of gentle cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, using sunscreen, avoiding sunlight, and keeping yourself as well as your skin hydrated.

This article illustrates how you can take care of your skin and look attractive and confident. No matter what age group you belong to, you can take good care of your skin in an easy and optimized way.

First things first: Keeping Your Skin Soft, Clean, and Hydrated

If you are thinking of developing a skincare routine but worried about where to get started, then you are at the right place. This article helps you adopt a daily skincare regimen that improves your skin hydration as well as makes your skin soft and smooth.

Females are more concerned and conscious about their skincare as compared to men but this does not mean that men are careless about their skincare. They are also very conscious about the way they look and are more concerned about what others think about them.

Here we have described some better ways in which you can take care of your skin in a better way. So, let’s get started.

Wash your face daily, twice a day

The first thing you need to do while following any skincare routine is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Invest in a good cleanser and wash off the dust, dead skin cells, and impurities from your face. Repeat this process twice a day.

It helps reduce breakouts and eliminate unnecessary dust and dirt from your skin.

After you have done washing your face with a cleanser, remember to apply toner and moisturizer to your skin. This step is very important as it helps moisturize and hydrates your skin.

Shower with lukewarm water.

Don’t use boiling hot water on your skin as it can make it dry out and irritate your skin.

Therefore, it is always advised to not take bath with hot water, you can use lukewarm water instead.

Pat your skin gently with a towel

When you are done bathing or washing your face, it is always advised to pat your skin gently with a towel. Do not rub it hard on your face. To make your skin dry, just gently pat it on your skin. This helps the skin to absorb moisture and rehydrate itself.

After you have done bathing, apply lotion or moisturizer.

Always apply moisturizer to your skin, when you are done bathing or washing your face. In this way, moisture gets locked in your skin and thus you can protect your skin from dehydration.

Don’t forget the skin on your neck.

Whether you are applying moisturizer or lotion, or you are just cleansing your face with a normal cleanser or face wash, do not forget your neck. This is often the more overlooked part of your body but it needs your special attention. You always want your neck to look beautiful as other areas of your skin. Won’t you?

Just never ever forget the skin on your neck.

Consider a moisturizer that contains SPF

Use sunscreen that contains SPF. This helps protect your skin against the harmful rays of the sun and also protects you from UV-induced redness. For oily skin, use a lightweight or gel-based moisturizer.

Exfoliate your skin once a week.

Use an exfoliator on your skin. Apply a gentle exfoliator to your skin. You can use scrubs while exfoliating.

Remember to remove makeup.

Always remove makeup when you are about to sleep. No matter how much tired you are or how much sleep you are feeling, always remember to take off makeup before going to sleep.

If you have to wear makeup daily, give your skin a break for a day or two so that your skin gets adjusted to its normal hygiene.

First, read product labels, then use it

When you are shopping for any skincare product, always check its label. Check the expiry date, the ingredients it contains, and the skin type it best suits.

Building a daily skincare routine: 10 ways in which you can take care of your skin

Guard yourself against the sun

Avoid direct sunlight. Try working indoors and always cover your face if you have to go out. Use sunscreen and stay away from sunlight as much as possible.

Don’t smoke

Smoking not only damages your lungs but it also has adverse effects on your skin. It causes your blood vessels to constrict. This reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells.

Use eye cream

The area under your eyes needs special attention as well.

This area is very delicate and the chemicals of other skincare products might damage it. Therefore, use an eye cream for protecting the area under the eye.

Treat your skin gently

Do not use harsh soaps or scrubs on your face. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. Always pat dry your skin with a towel. Do not rub the towel on your face.  

Eat a healthy diet

Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Take more citrus fruit in your diet and avoid eating junk food.

Manage stress

Fight your depression and cope with your stress. Don’t let your sadness or stress destroy your mental peace. Take time for yourself and do what you love the most.

Drink 8 ounces of water

Consuming lots of water is very essential for your body and your skin. It is advised to consume at least 6-8 ounces of water daily. Increase your water intake and keep yourself hydrated.

Take off your makeup before going to bed

Makeup is not bad for your skin but it might damage your skin if it stays overnight. The harmful chemicals present in makeup products have an adverse effect on your skin if they are allowed to stay overnight. Always remove makeup before you sleep.

Use sunscreen

Avoid direct sunlight. If you have to work in broad daylight, use sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays of sunlight.

Use moisturizer and serum

Include moisturizer and serum in your daily skincare routine. This is the best way of taking care of your skin. Moisturizers give moisture to your skin and keep it hydrated. Serums are best for balancing skin tone and protecting skin from dehydration.

Avoid harsh soaps

As already described, the use of harsh soaps may cause skin damage. Use a gentle soap and a mild cleanser for your face.

Diet for Healthy Skin

• Include fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Avoid junk food
• Consume almost 6-8 ounces of water daily
• Look for fruits that contain vitamins and antioxidants
• Antioxidants make you look youthful
• Eat apricots and blueberries
• Avocados are good for skin hydration
• Carrots help to improve your skin complexion and give you a fair skin
• Kiwi makes your skin soft and smooth
• Take more leafy vegetables into your diet
• Tomatoes are good for skin hydration and they also protect against sun damage
• Avoid carbohydrates and unhealthy fat
• You can eat dark chocolate but don’t eat more than your appetite

How to treat skin problems: Treatment of skin diseases

Due to some genetic and lifestyle factors, you may experience some skin diseases. These skin problems can lead to rashes, inflammation, and itching on the skin.

The most common types of skin diseases include:

Acne – bacteria build up in your skin pores

Alopecia areata – you start losing your hair

Atopic dermatitis – itchy and dry skin

Skin cancer – uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells

Depending on the severity of your skin condition, your dermatologist may recommend medicated creams and oral medications.

Other treatments include:

• Antibiotics
• Moisturizers
• Antihistamines
• Ointments
• Gels
• Steroid pills
• Steroid injections
• Surgical procedures

What You Can do by Yourself

•    Avoid sugary food
•    Maintain good hygiene
•    Manage stress
•    Avoid caffeine
•    Avoid alcoholic beverages

When to see a doctor or dermatologist

If you experience one of these conditions and that too in a severe form, then consult your dermatologist or healthcare provider immediately.

v Severe acne that is widespread on your face and you are done with acne treatment products and could not get the required result.

v Red and itchy skin – you may be suffering from Eczema.

v Dry skin patches – these can be extremely itchy and painful.

v Moles – some moles may develop into skin cancer. So consult your dermatologist immediately if you notice something different with your moles.

v Wrinkles and age spots – these can make you look older and unattractive. Your doctor might suggest you some therapies to reduce wrinkles and prevent aging.

Skincare tips for nighttime

• Remove makeup before going to bed
• Wash your face daily at night
• Moisturize your face
• Use serums and retinol products
• Apply eye cream
• Avoid touching your face
• Sleep at least 8 hours
• Drink a glass of water before you sleep
• Use moisturizing lotion on your hands and feet
• Use facial oil at night

Different age groups: skin care tips for everyone

No matter what age group you belong to, you should develop a good skincare routine.

If you are a teenager and want to have glowing and fresh skin, adopt a good skincare routine. Here are some tips for you:

• ü Use a gentle cleanser
• ü Don’t forget exfoliation and moisturization
• ü Treat acne and other problems
• ü Take good and healthy food
• ü Use hand cream
• ü Use lip balm
• ü Apply sunscreen when going out
• If you are in your 20s or 30s and working out in a busy schedule, here’s what you can do for your skin:
• ü, Wash your face. Don’t use makeup wipes
• ü Wear sunscreen
• ü Apply serum with vitamin C
• ü Use a retinol at night
• ü Stop popping your pimple
• ü Take more vitamins and Zinc in your diet
• ü Use hyaluronic acid for skin hydration

For people who are in their 40s and older, here are some skincare tips for you people:

• ü Use a gentle cleanser
• ü Apply serums that contain antioxidants
• ü Moisturize very often
• ü Always wear SPF or sunscreen
• ü Use a night cream
• ü Skip sugar in your diet
• ü Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• ü Avoid junk food
• ü Intake more probiotics in your diet
• ü Look for food that has antioxidants
• ü Use a facial mask once a week
• ü Quit smoking
• ü Look for products that are rich in peptides
• ü Visit your dermatologist monthly

Natural ways to take care of your skin: DIY masks

The best way to take care of your skin is a natural way. If you are not interested in using synthetic products on your skin and are worried about the side effects of chemicals in these products, we recommend you try these DIY masks for a healthy and glowing and that too without using synthetic products.

Trying DIY Skin Care Remedies

v Use an oatmeal face mask

If you have acne or sensitive skin, then use this DIY mask for better results. For making this mask, you need:

• Two tablespoons of oatmeal
• One tablespoon of baking soda
• Water

Take two tablespoons of oatmeal and grind it very well. After that add one tablespoon of baking soda to the paste and finally add some water to it. Leave the paste on your face for 10 minutes.

v Try a yogurt mask

If you have dull and dry skin, try a yogurt mask on your face. To make this you need:

• Half cup of yogurt
• 2 tbsp of honey

Take half a cup of yogurt and add two tablespoons of honey to it. Apply it to your face for 20 minutes and then wash it off.

v Try a honey face mask

For amazingly glowing skin, try this honey face mask. The ingredients that you need for this mask are:

• One tbsp of raw honey
• One tbsp of turmeric
• Apple cider vinegar

Mix together these ingredients and let it sit on your skin for 20 minutes.

v Make a simple sugar scrub

 For making a simple sugar scrub at home, you need:

• One tbsp of oats
• One tbsp of sugar
• Olive oil or honey

Take one tbsp of oats and add one tbsp of sugar to it. Add a few drops of olive oil. You can also use honey in place of olive oil. Apply this mask to your skin for 20 minutes.

Take care of your body skin

Your body’s skin also needs special care. Here are some of the tips for healthy body skin:

• Use mild soaps
• Shave carefully
• Moisturize your skin
• Avoid hot showers
• Gently pat on your skin
• Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells

Skincare for men: a step-by-step guide for male skincare

Cleanse

Know what type of cleanser is best for your skin and invest in a good cleanser, if you want healthy skin.

Moisturize

Moisturizers keep your skin hydrated and they also build a barrier around the skin so that dirt and oil don’t stick to the face.

Shave carefully

Apply shaving foam or moisturizing shaving cream. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Lastly, apply an after-shave lotion after you have done shaving.

Wear sunscreen

SPF sunscreens protect skin from skin cancer, and darkening skin and prevent wrinkles from coming onto your face.

Take a shower with warm water

Use lukewarm water. Warm water helps in opening the pores of the skin and in this way, removes unnecessary dirt and germs from your skin.

Intake plenty of water

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and to keep your skin less vulnerable to skin-related problems.

Exercise regularly

When the blood flow to your skin is improved, it helps in the removal of toxins from your body, and in this way, exercising helps in maintaining healthy skin.

Skincare post-workout

It is very necessary to wash off the sweat from your face after exercising, otherwise, it may prevent clogging the pores of your skin.

Take care of your skin in winter

• Apply moisturizer to your skin
• Increase your water intake
• Apply sunscreen
• Use a hydrating cleanser
• Apply lip balm
• Exfoliate daily

Improving Your Lifestyle: Secret to Healthy Skin

Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Change your daily routine. Take some time for yourself in your busy schedule.

• ü Sleep at least 7 to 8 hours at night
• ü Manage your stress
• ü Take time for exercising and workouts
• ü Avoid sunlight
• ü Quit smoking
• ü Avoid alcohol

Conclusion

Taking care of your skin is very important. You can adopt some habits for healthy skin. People of every age and gender are equally conscious about their skin. Choose the best skincare products according to your skin type.

In this article, we have covered some skin care tips for people of every age and also we have described the nighttime and daytime skincare routines along with the diet you should take for healthy skin.

FAQs