10 skin care for healthier looking skin

10 SKIN CARE SECRETS FOR HEALTHIER-LOOKING SKIN

Apply sunscreen every day before you go outdoors. Sunscreen is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. It really can slow down skin ageing. It can also help prevent skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, SPF 30 (or higher), and water resistance.

While it's important to protect infants' skin from the sun, the AAD recommends applying sunscreen only to children who are 6 months and older.

Don't smoke. Smoking speeds up how quickly your skin ages. If you smoke, your wounds will also take longer to heal. And research shows that smoking worsens some skin diseases, including psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Check your skin for skin cancer. Skin self-exams can help you find skin cancer early, when it's highly treatable. If you notice a spot that differs from the others or one that changes, itches, or bleeds, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

Use a self-tanner if you like looking tanned. Anytime you tan indoors or outside, you prematurely age your skin. You also increase your risk of developing skin cancer. A self-tanner can give you the look you want without the risks. To keep your skin healthy, you want to protect it from the sun, even when using a self-tanner.

Use skin care products that match your skin's needs. What's your skin type — oily, dry, normal, combination, or sensitive? Do you have a skin condition? Using products formulated for your skin's needs will help your skin look and feel its best.

Resist the urge to scrub your skin. If you've been sweating heavily or have a serious acne flare, it may seem natural to scrub your skin. Don't! Scrubbing irritates your skin, which can worsen any skin condition, including acne.

Wash your face when waking, before bed, and after sweating. Washing your face when you wake up removes the dirt and bacteria that settle on your face while sleeping. Before bed, you want to remove makeup and grime, such as smog, smoke, or dirt, that may have landed on your skin.

Gently wash your face. Gentle cleansing helps skin look its best. To gently cleanse your face, wet it with lukewarm water. Then apply a mild cleanser, gently applying the cleanser in a circular motion with your fingertips. Finish by completely rinsing off the cleanser and gently patting your face dry with a clean towel.

Stress less. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can help your skin, too. Some skin diseases, like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema), often appear for the first time when someone feels really stressed. Stress can also cause flare-ups of many skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

See a board-certified dermatologist if you dislike something about your skin. When it comes to our skin, dermatologists are the experts. These doctors diagnose and treat thousands of different skin diseases. They also have the expertise needed to help people safely rejuvenate and care for their skin.

HOW TO APPLY SELF-TANNER

Follow these steps:

Exfoliate. Use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin prior to applying a self-tanner. Using an exfoliating product will also help remove dead skin cells. Spend a little more time exfoliating where your skin is thickest, on the elbows, knees, and ankles.

Dry your skin. Drying your skin before you apply a self-tanner helps it go on evenly.

Apply in sections. Apply the self-tanner in sections (such as the arms, then the legs, followed by the torso). Massage the self-tanner into your skin in a circular motion.

Wash your hands after each section. You will avoid orange-coloured palms by washing your hands with soap and water after you finish applying the self-tanner to each section of your body.

Blend at your wrists and ankles. For a natural look, you need to lightly extend the tanner from your wrists to your hands and from your ankles to your feet.

Dilute over your joints. Dilute the self-tanner on the knees, ankles, and elbows because these areas tend to absorb more self-tanner than the rest of the skin. To dilute, lightly rub with a damp towel or apply a thin layer of lotion on top of the self-tanner.

Give your skin time to dry. Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed. For the next three hours, it is best to wear loose clothing and try to avoid sweating.

Apply sunscreen every day. You still need to protect your skin with sunscreen.