Best Face Forward

As children and teenagers, we tend to take many things for granted. Taking care of our skin is something that most of us don’t give a second thought about until we get a little older, and start to see the effects that years of neglect can have on our appearance. Luckily, there are things you can do to fight further damage and, in some cases, reverse these mistakes. Here are some tips to help you look and feel better.

1. Keep It Clean

We were all taught to wash our hands before meals. But, did we always follow the same rule for face washing at bedtime? Whether you wear makeup or not, removing any pollutants from your skin is important to keeping it clear. Just like your lungs, your skin needs air in order to properly do its job. Using a good-quality cleanser is advisable, but even standard bar soap or olive oil will do the trick in a pinch. As long as you are thorough and consistent with cleansing, you are doing your face a favor. However, if you really want to commit to a routine, investing in professional and chemical-free skin cleaning products is often best. Choose formulas with minimal or no artificial fragrances and preservatives, for the best results.

2. Be Mindful of Nutrition

Yes, your mother was meant it when she told you that you are what you eat. What you put into your body has an effect on how it feels, functions, and looks. The avoidance of junk food and empty calories, such as potato chips and doughnuts, is a good start, along with eating as many fresh foods, such as spinach and broccoli. Since it can be very difficult to get all of your required nutrients from food alone, it is also a good idea to research, and develop a regimen of taking vitamins for good skin. Do your best to pair this habit with a good diet. It may be tempting to substitute healthy eating with just taking vitamins, but the more vital nutrients you are able to get into your body, the better.

3. Take in More Moisture

We know that drinking plenty of fluids helps our bodies to purge toxins, and keep organs like the liver and stomach running efficiently. Skin is another organ that requires lots of liquid for its well-being. Pure water, water with a twist of lemon, unsweetened tea, and even eating water-dense foods such as watermelon and lettuce, will allow your body to maximize its hydration levels. Keeping your internal organs hydrated to stay healthy will also aid them in keeping the outside at its peak.

4. Apply Extra Effort

As important as overall health is to your appearance and well-being, getting some additional help can be just as beneficial. Most skincare professionals recommend the use of topical treatments. Depending upon your specific needs, in addition to cleanser, you may want to consider the addition of serums, spot treatments, lotions, or creams to your arsenal of care. There are many items on the market that can be matched to your concerns. Under-eye formulas help to target fine lines and wrinkles, serums can give you an extra boost of clarifying elements such as Vitamin C, lotions often contain sun protection, and creams are usually high in moisture. Just be sure to avoid any ingredients that may aggravate your skin. For instance, if you tend to be on the oily side, avoid things like mineral oil and talc. Anyone with dry skin should steer clear of products that contain alcohol.

Following a regimen for facial skin health takes determination and just a little bit of research. Once you find what works best for you, the difference in your appearance will be noticeable, relatively quickly. When people start making comments about how happy or glowing you look, you may start to glow even more from all of the positive attention that you receive. More importantly, when you look in the mirror, you will see how vital taking care of yourself is to your life.