Your skin works hard to keep you healthy, and you can return the favour by taking care of it. Here are some tips to help you keep your skin looking and feeling as amazing as you are.
Sun care
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are the main cause of skin ageing and can cause skin cancer.
Sunburn can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, so it’s important to protect skin against sun damage at any age.
To help protect yourself:
– spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
– cover up with clothes, a hat and sunglasses
– use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15
You need to spend some time in sunlight so your body can make vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones. From about late March/early April to the end of September, most of us should be able to get all the vitamin D we need from sunlight.
Smoking
Smoking is linked to early ageing of the skin. It’s thought smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by causing the breakdown of collagen and reducing collagen production. Collagen is a protein that supports skin strength.
It also reduces blood flow to your skin, so your skin gets fewer nutrients and less oxygen.
Get help to stop smoking through your practice nurse in your GP surgery.
Alcohol
When you drink alcohol, your body and skin can become dehydrated, leaving the skin looking older and tired. Drinking water can help your skin stay hydrated, preventing it drying out. Try to drink at least 2 litres every day.
When you have alcohol, try to drink within the recommended limits, and have a non-alcoholic drink, such as water, between alcoholic drinks.
Washing your skin
Try to use mild soaps or bath oils – too much washing or using harsh soaps can wash away the natural oils that keep our skin healthy.
If you have dry skin, don’t use harsh alcohol-based products as these can irritate skin and dry it out.
Moisturising can help prevent dry skin. If you have oily skin, avoid oil-based products and choose water-based ones instead.
Nutrition is key beauties as we need to look after ourselves not just on the outside but also on the inside to get us glowing inside and out.
Get into a good routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising your skin daily to keep your skin happy and healthy.
Book your free consultation today and we can go through the most suited products to get the best out of your skin with both inner and outer nutrition.