Five Steps to Help Maintain Healthy Skin

One of the main ways to maintain a younger look is by having healthy skin. Following the kind of skincare routine necessary to keep a youthful glow is easier than most people think. While some people turn to a facelift or Botox and fillers to rejuvenate the look of the skin, there are non-surgical methods to help a person enjoy healthy skin. Check out these easy steps anyone can do to maintain youthful and healthy skin on a daily basis.

Easy Steps to Maintain Healthy Skin

• Protect the skin from the sun – The sun might feel good but it can cause a large amount of skin damage if too much skin is exposed to the sun on a regular basis. Some of the skin issues that too much sun exposure can cause include age spots and wrinkles as well as an increased chance of skin cancer. If a person has to be out in the sun, there are ways to protect the skin including:

1. Wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts, a hat with a wide brim and long pants
2. Wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or more and apply it often because it becomes less effective the longer it stays on the body
3. Stay in the shade as often as possible during the part of the day where the rays of the sun are at their peak exposure

• Don’t smoke – Smoking can cause wrinkles and also make the skin look older. This happens because smoking narrows the smaller blood vessels that are located in the outermost skin layers. In turn, this causes a decrease in blood flow and lowers the amount of nutrients and oxygen that contribute to healthy skin. Smoking also makes the skin less elastic by damaging the amount of elastin and collagen found in the skin.
• Take good care of the skin by treating it gently on a daily basis - Some tips for treating the skin gently include:

1. Reduce the amount of time spent in the tub or shower as too much hot water can remove oils from the skin
2. Use mild soap as it doesn’t remove as much oil from the skin
3. Use shaving cream or gels when shaving in order to best protect the skin
4. Moisturizers used on a regular basis can take away the dryness that makes the skin rough and cracked

Follow a healthy diet - Vegetables, whole grains, fruit and leaner proteins all contribute to maintaining healthy skin while processed foods and too much fat cause the skin to look duller. The diet of a person is very important in efficiently fighting the signs of aging and rejuvenating the skin from the inside out. Here are some foods to help a person enjoy healthy skin:

1. Mangos - They contain compounds with antioxidant properties and these compounds help protect several important components like collagen (which is essential to healthy skin).
2. Tomatoes - They have a lot of beneficial properties and studies have shown that tomatoes help to prevent skin cancer. Lycopene, the pigment responsible for the deep red color of tomatoes, is believed to be involved in the protective impact tomatoes have against UV damage.
3. Olive Oil - Incorporating olive oil into the diet helps lower the risk of cumulative damage to the skin characterized by wrinkles, age spots and discoloration caused by excessive exposure to sunlight.
4. Cocoa Flavanols - These are found in dark chocolate and help improve the structure and function of the skin. An extensive study showed cocoa flavanols decrease the roughness of the skin, increase skin hydration and help protect against UV rays.
5. Green Tea - Polyphenol is a compound found in green tea and it has been shown to help rejuvenate dying skin cells.
6. White Tea - This tea option has anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. Some of the ingredients present in white tea can protect the skin from oxidative stress and immune cell damage.

• Stress – Too much stress can cause a good amount of skin problems. Not only is stress bad for the mental health of a person, it can also cause hives and acne issues. Managing stress can lead to peace of mind as well as happy and healthy skin.
• Beauty Sleep - Of all the ways to maintain healthy skin, this has to be the easiest because it's free. Getting adequate sleep helps reduce dark circles around the eyes and improves skin tone. Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with obesity, immune deficiency, diabetes and cancer. Premature skin aging and a decreased ability of the skin to repair itself is also associated with people who don't get adequate sleep. During deep sleep, the body repairs and regenerates skin, muscles and brain cells. Without the right amount of sleep, the body won't be able to produce new collagen that the skin needs.

Healthy Skin Doesn’t Require a Lot of Money

Maintaining healthy skin doesn't necessarily require a person to spend huge amounts of money. Following the simple steps listed above can transform dull and lifeless skin into skin that is full of life with a healthy glow while being easy on the bank account. Healthy skin makes a person look happy and rested to others while also helping the overall health of a person.

- MA