Try to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid a day, including water. Try to make water your primary drink, substituting it for sugary drinks or alcohol. [1] X Research source Avoid sodas and alcohol which can affect skin negatively. The sugar and chemicals in soda and sugary drinks causes acne and oil buildup, while drinking alcohol steals moisture from your skin and gives the appearance of premature aging. Try adding cucumber or lemon slices to your water, as both have proven to have extra skin-boosting benefits and add a refreshing twist to your H2O.
Avoid tanning beds and laying out in the sun for hours whenever possible, as these are incredibly dangerous due to their carcinogenic properties. Although SPF 15 is the minimum level of sun protection, to really save your skin apply at least an SPF 30. Apply sunscreen on a daily basis, even if it is cloudy out. 80% of the sun’s radiation penetrates cloud cover, meaning you can still receive sun damage when it’s gray and rainy. Use an SPF that has both UVA and UVB protection. UVA are the rays from the sun that cause wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays are responsible for burning your skin. [2] X Research source Keep in mind that many facial moisturizers and foundations contain sunscreen. Check the label to be sure. If your makeup or moisturizer does not contain sunscreen then you can always wear sunscreen under your makeup.
Heavy workouts aren’t required to get healthy looking skin. Instead, focus on just getting your blood pumping for a few minutes every day. If you get dirty during your workout, be sure to wash your face afterwards to keep oil and dirt from getting trapped in your pores and causing your skin to break out.
Instead of completely cutting junk food out of your diet, slowly incorporate more fresh food and less processed food to help your skin. Some foods like blueberries and salmon, which are high in antioxidants, are great for evening out your complexion.
Many brands offer a chemical exfoliator or special exfoliating brush that you can purchase at local drug and beautify supply stores for cheap. Make your own exfoliator out of sugar and honey. Rub this on your face in small circles followed by a rinse with warm water to remove the dead skin buildup. If you want a softer exfoliant than sugar, mix oatmeal with honey instead. Another option is to use equal parts baking soda and water. This mask is quite exfoliating, so only use it once every one to two weeks. Most dermatologist offices and spas offer specialized exfoliation treatments. Research to see what these offices in your area offer. Look into the option of buying an electric exfoliator. These work by using a specialized moving brush (similar to an electric toothbrush) to wash you face with twice a day. They can be a bit expensive, running upwards of $100, but work wonders for keeping skin soft and pores clean.
Buy a specialty face mask at a local beauty supply or drugstore. Many different types of masks are available depending on your desired results; there are ones to reduce redness, aid in age spots, get rid of acne, and smooth your skin. Make a face mask out of a banana and honey for your face. Mix the two together until it forms a paste, and apply it to your face for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Use a face peel that has salicylic acid if you have problems with acne or acne scarring. Try a peel that is made with glycolic acid to help your skin if you have problems with wrinkles. Always wash off your peel with warm water when the time limit, typically ten minutes, is up. This way it will keep the peel from over-exfoliating your face. Avoid using a skin peel if you have problems with eczema or rosacea, as these can be worsened by the acids in the peel.
Many spot removers work for both sun spots and age spots. If you have both, try this type of dual product. Freckles are a type of sunspot, but a spot remover may not work in lightening these. Try an all-natural spot remover of lemon juice. Dab on the juice to your dark spots and allow it to sit for ten minutes, and then rinse. The acid in the juice helps to bleach the spots. Another way to reduce the appearance of dark spots is to use a toner that contains witch hazel.
Find a moisturizer that includes an SPF to expedite your process of applying creams. Tinted moisturizers can work to apply a bit of color in addition to making your skin soft. Make sure to find one in the right skin tone for you though, because the wrong tint can make your skin appear orange or sickly. [3] X Research source
Concealers come in either your natural skin color (a shade of brown or tan), or in colors such as yellow, green, and lavender. These colored concealers (also known as color correctors) are used to neutralize redness or acne spots in your skin. Always use a concealer brush, which is a small, stiff, round-edged makeup brush, to apply concealer. Using your fingertips can expose your pores to more bacteria, worsening your acne or redness. Don’t rub concealer in, but rather dab it on and blend the edges with your brush. You can also use a clean sponge to blend in your concealer. Make sure your concealer isn’t too dark, as this will result in rusty orange-colored spots on your face instead of sun or age spots. It is better to use a concealer that is too light rather than one that is too dark, as applying foundation over the top will help to darken the concealer. Be sure to sue a color corrector first and then apply concealer over that.
Always use a large foundation brush, sometimes called a kabuki brush, to apply your foundation. This is regardless of whether your foundation is a powder or liquid; the brush gives an even application and will help to blend the color. Using your fingers spreads bacteria that can make your skin worse, and will not give as even of an application. Using a beauty blender sponge also helps to ensure that your foundation is even. Dab extra foundation over your spots of concealer to help set it. This can help to match the color and add extra coverage should you desire it. Blend your foundation all the way to your neck in ensure complete coverage of your face.
Apply blush with a round brush starting at the apples of your cheeks moving upwards towards your temples at a 45-degree angle for a more modern blush look. If you want even more coverage, use a sponge instead of a brush. You can use either a powder or cream blush, but find one that matches your skin texture and needs the best. Blushes are available in hues of pink, peach, and violet. For very fair skin, go with a pink shade. Medium and beige skin tones benefit from a peachy hue. For dark rich skin coloring, use a plum or violet blush.
Sweep the bronzer on starting near your hairline towards your nose, avoiding a heavy application. Be sure to blend well. Use a highlighter to add light to the parts of your face that are kissed by the sun. This is typically a light, slightly metallic cream or powder that can be applied with a brush or rolled on. Put the highlighter on your face under your eyebrows, at the corner of your inner eye, and in a “C” shape from the bottom of your cheekbones to the base of your forehead. You can also add some highlighter along the cupid’s bow on your upper lip and going down the bridge of your nose.
Always remove makeup before going to bed! This is one of the most important skincare tips out there. Leaving makeup on your face can make it hard for your skin to breathe, which can lead to all kinds of blemishes and damage.
Some medications may be taken as a pill and help control hormonal imbalances which can lead to poor skin complexion. Medicated creams are available through your dermatologist to apply to your skin. These can deal with problems such as age or sun spots and acne or acne scarring. Be sure to ask your doctor about possible side-effects from medication for your skin.
Facials often differ depending on your specific skin problems. Look for facials that target acne, sun damage, skin disorders, or aging depending on your needs. Facials can be expensive, but it is better to pay a bit more for an esthetician you trust than to try to be cheap. They aren’t particularly dangerous, but for the best results it is worth a higher price.
A laser treatment works by sending short, strong pulses of light to remove layers of skin. Because of this, it is sometimes also called a laser peel. Avoid getting a laser treatment if you have acne, as this could worsen the condition. Recovery from a laser treatment takes up to two weeks. This is the time in which the skin will regrow and all discoloration or scabbing has disappeared. [6] X Research source
Microdermabrasion is essentially “sanding” away skin with a peel and a special brush or tool. Therefore, it works best for dark spots and dull skin. Dermabrasion, similar to microdermabrasion, works primarily to remove scarring. It is only safe for people with fair skin however, as it can worsen scarring in dark skin. Only consider dermabrasion as an option if you struggle with scarring from a skin disease, significant acne, or accidents. [7] X Research source
