Three Ways to Naturally Improve Your Skin

As anyone who has ever suffered from acne knows, taking care of your skin can be difficult. From various face creams to face masks, it seems that there is an endless supply of solutions to clean out your pores, and revitalize your skin. However, as any who suffers from acne can also tell you, it can be a cruel game trying to figure out which creams and washes work best for your skin, and hundreds of dollars later you may still be left looking for the right skin care product. You’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 50 million Americans are affected by acne annually, and in 2013 the costs related to the treatment and lost productivity of people who turned to medical care for clearing acne came in at more than 1.2 billion dollars. Beginning in puberty, and manifesting itself even in people ages thirty to forty and on, acne is a worldwide problem. Nevertheless, there are steps you can start taking today to help you achieve clear pores and glowing skin. This article lists three simple ways to fight acne, and they cost little to nothing:

Exercise

Getting exercise is one simple skin care solution that only costs you some willpower and effort. Exercise opens up your pores, and promotes blood circulation to your skin by increasing your heart rate. Before you start exercising, be sure to remove all your makeup to avoid clogging your pores. There is a common misconception that sweating helps you clear out all of your acne by removing toxins from your body. This has not been proven as of yet. On the contrary, sweating can make your acne worse if you are not careful. Use a towel to pat away sweat as you exercise, and avoid rubbing (it may cause skin irritation).

Probably a no-brainer, but I still need to say it: Take a shower! Sitting in excess sweat and oil is never a good idea if you want to prevent breakouts. There is one sure benefit of exercising that can help in acne prevention, and that is reduced stress levels. Breakouts often occur from increased levels of cortisol in your blood, and exercise can keep your cortisol levels from triggering your oil glands.

Sleep

The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults sleep for seven to nine hours a day. Depriving your body of sleep it so deserves can result in poor health, as well as prove detrimental to your skin. Studies have shown that people who fit into the category of “poor sleepers” had increased signs of premature skin aging, as well as a decreased ability to repair itself throughout the night from environmental factors such as excess sun exposure. Like magic, your body gets to work while you sleep, repairing muscle, blood, and brain cells, in addition to regenerating your skin. It does so by producing new collagen, which prevents your skin from aging prematurely and sagging. Without the proper amount of sleep, your body cannot produce new collagen. Instead of breaking the bank to make your skin glow again, try scheduling time for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Your skin will thank you.

Moisture

Keep your skin moisturized. The top layer of your skin cells need to be hydrated if you want to avoid dry, red, and easily irritated skin. It sounds obvious, but how many of us take fifteen-minute showers under a stream of hot water, using a scrub brush or loofah to wash our body? The American Academy of Dermatology recommends five to ten minute showers using warm water. Excessive washing can remove the necessary oils in your skin and leave you feeling dry and brittle. And yes, it’s time to throw away your scrub brushes, sponges, and washcloths. These are abrasive and can damage the surface of your skin. When drying off, pat your skin gently instead of rubbing it. Again, all of this sounds simple and intuitive, but these steps cost you zilch, and they really can make a world of difference in your skin care.