When thinking about skin care, we tend to think and talk about our skin care routine and our skin care products. But there are little everyday changes you can make in the rest of your life that will improve the look, feel, and health of your skin, without taking a lot of effort.
Here are some easy ways to take care of your skin all the time:
Drink lots of water. Water is the fastest, easiest, least expensive way to see big changes in your skin. Your skin stores your body's water reserves, so it's important to not just drink enough water to meet your basic functional needs, but to drink enough that your body has excess fluid to store in your skin cells, making them more firm and full. Hydration is good for your whole body, but it will show in your face with skin that is more even and healthy, and restore plumpness and reduce fine lines. Aim for a minimum of 2 liters of water every day, and more in hot weather, low humidity, or if you are exerting yourself and losing water to sweat.
Use a satin pillowcase and keep it clean. Cotton pillowcases have coarse fibers that tug on skin and hair, and soak moisture away from your skin as you sleep. The smooth texture of satin reduces friction and pull on your hair and skin, and satin is less prone to soak up oils. Keeping your pillowcase clean prevents oils and products that may have soaked into your pillowcase from getting back onto your skin and clogging your pores.
Shower in lukewarm water. If you can't bear to shower in lukewarm water, at least use it to wash your face. Hot water dilates blood vessels on the surface of your skin, and, when combined with friction from rubbing or scrubbing, can inflame or damage them. Cold water doesn't damage the skin but may be less effective at removing oils. Protecting your delicate skin from extreme heat prevents damage and irritation, and helps keep skin moisturized.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Of course, you can get scientific and look up the recommended allowance is of various vitamins and minerals and compose your diet accordingly, but if that takes too much time, remember to just eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in all the colors you can. Fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables contain high concentrations of skin-friendly antioxidants and essential nutrients.
Improve your sleep. Sleep is good for your body and mind, and is essential “down time” for your body's repair and restorative processes. During the day, your skin is busy protecting itself from UV rays and fighting free radicals, so sleep is the best time for your body to produce new collagen and focus on healing and repair. Not getting enough sleep also reduces healthy circulation, slowing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your skin, and causing dark circles beneath the eyes. Try to get not just enough sleep, but good quality, unbroken sleep to improve your complexion.
Clean your phone. Your phone is exposed to a lot of bacteria over the course of the day, and its warm temperature can allow those bacteria to grow and thrive. Putting a dirty, greasy phone to your face can cause acne and breakouts, and touching a dirty phone and then touching your face can do the same thing. Carry phone wipes and use them a couple times a day.
Proper self-care can often seem demanding and overwhelming when we have so many other things competing for our time and attention. But these little changes take no time at all, are inexpensive, and pay off big in the look, feel, and health of your skin.