Let’s Talk Skincare

Having beautiful, flawless skin is something we all dream of.  And while achieving it overnight is unlikely, studies show that creating an individualized skincare regimen is the best way to a perfect complexion and rosy glow.  

But what should our routine be?  And what ways can we fight acne, blackheads, wrinkles, and more?  Our list of tips and tricks below is your ultimate guide to gorgeous looking skin for years to come!  With a little research and a lot of dedication, you’ll be even more in love with the girl you see in the mirror.

1. Get Enough Sleep

Turns out beauty rest is real and getting the recommended eight hours of sleep at night, could do wonders for your skin.  While we rest, our skin naturally repairs itself with increased blood flow and the rebuilding of collagen, leading to less wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines (Healthline).  Sounds amazing, right? And better yet, by making sure we use clean pillowcases while getting our beauty rest, we prevent bacteria from creeping into our pores as we sleep, reducing our chance of waking up to acne and blackheads. 

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Just like the other parts of our body, our skin is an organ requiring water to function its best.  By drinking plenty throughout the day, our skin will reap the benefits of hydration--looking healthier, brighter, and softer than before.  Of course, drinking a gallon of water a day won’t make much of a difference if we aren’t exercising or eating properly too, which is why eating the right foods is number three on our list.

3. Eat the Right Foods

What we put into our bodies, has a huge impact on our skin.  Why? Our skin requires certain nutrients that only the right foods can provide to keep skin looking young and strong.  Experts say top foods for attractive skin include: fatty fish, avocados, walnuts, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and green tea (Healthline).  Which happens to be the kind of stuff we want to be eating anyways!

4. Hydrate Your Skin

While drinking water definitely helps, the best way to ensure hydrated skin is by using the right moisturizer twice a day.  Fragrance free, gentle moisturizers work best, especially when applied right after showering, in the morning, and before bed.  For even more hydration, try using a product with Hyaluronic Acid, a substance naturally found in our skin, good at attracting water and keeping it there (Harper’s Bazaar).

5. Wear Sunscreen

When it’s sunny, when it’s cloudy, when we are inside or out, the biggest trick to beautiful skin is to wear sunscreen!  By protecting ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays, we prevent wrinkles and sun spots from damaging our skin. Try using a broad spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher to fight aging skin.  And to further combat daily UV exposure, wear a hat and sunglasses to further minimize fine lines from taking over.

6. Create a Nighttime Routine

We already know that sleep is when our skin does its hardest work repairing itself.  Therefore, it’s important to make sure our skin is at its best before bed. Try creating a nighttime routine that includes cleansing twice, toning, and moisturizing before settling down for the evening.  By cleansing twice, we can first remove the makeup from our skin and then use a second wash to remove all the leftover dirt and bacteria we were unable to get rid of the first time. By following our cleansing with a toner, we add a layer of protection that restores our skin’s PH and begins the process of hydrating.  Lastly, adding a moisturizer before going to sleep, allows our skin ample time to absorb the lotion and wake up softer and more hydrated the next morning. 

7. Lessen Your Stress

Stress is a key cause to unhealthy looking skin.  Not only does it make for a bad night’s sleep, stress also leads to skin imbalances as a result of changing hormones.  And skin imbalances? Well those lead to breakouts, uneven skin, and more. But by practicing mindfulness, meditating, yoga, and breathing exercises, we can overcome the effects of stress on our minds and on our beauty!

8. Exercise

It’s the key to many things, including stunning skin.  By exercising regularly, our skin gets the blood flow it needs to nourish skin cells and keep them vital (WebMD).  And of course there is the fact that exercise is a major stress relief, a necessity for healthy, vibrant skin!

9. Have a Skin Day

Once or twice a week, it’s important to treat ourselves to a Skin Day!  On these days, we change up the routine to give our skin the recharge it needs.  What does a skin day consist of? The key five things to renew your look! Scrub, Steam, Mask, Cleanse, and Moisturize.  By scrubbing our skin with an exfoliant once or twice a week, we remove the dead skin cells and dirt buildup that has accumulated over a few days.  Then by steaming, we open our pores to release dirt and debris that otherwise would have stayed trapped. By following the steam with a clay mask, any leftover oil, bacteria, and sebum, will be removed from your pores (Try Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay for the ultimate deep pore cleansing--$9.99 on Amazon).  A final cleanse will wash away the mask and all the debris that was pulled out. Lastly, by adding a moisturizer, our skin will receive the hydration it needs to fully replenish. 

It might not happen overnight, or even over the course of a week.  But by treating our bodies correctly, our minds correctly, and dedicating ourselves to a skin routine, healthy, gorgeous skin is one step closer!

Do you Ladies have any skin secrets to share?  We’d love to hear!

XOXO, 

Flex it Pink

Aswell, Sarah. “Six Ways to Maximize Your Beauty Sleep for #WokeUp LikeThis Skin”.  Healthline.  https://www.healthline.com

Jaret, Peter. “Exercise for Healthy Skin”.  WebMD.  https://www.webmd.com

Jones, Taylor. “The 12 Best Foods For Healthy Skin”.  Healthline.  https://www.healthline.com