We may have been born with perfect skin, but as time goes by, good skin care is essential to keep our skin healthy, as well as to hold back the signs of aging.
The lack of good top-to-toe skin care is known to cause various skin issues such as dry skin, acne, premature aging, wrinkles, etc. So, will you be taking good care of your skin this year? Might as well make it a resolution and see the results!
Good skincare not only assures a healthy and glowing skin but also delays the skin’s ageing process and keeps skin disorders at bay. Here are some skincare tips to keep the skin smooth and supple and make a fresh start this year.
1. Lotion up after each bath or shower
Warm baths or showers are popular even in our hot tropical climate, due to us living in air-conditioned homes. Daily use of warm water on the skin can strip it of its natural oils and make it dry and parched. Moisturise after each bath or shower and don’t leave out a single area of your body. To make it easier to remember to do so, keep your lotion, or body oil if that’s what you use, right there in your bathroom. Remember to apply it on slightly damp skin, so that it can not only nourish and moisturise your skin, but also seal in precious moisture.
2. Never neglect sun protection
The importance of sunscreens and sunblock products can never be over-emphasized these days, especially with the prevalence of skin cancer caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays. This is why even skin experts stress on the importance of daily UV protection, with an SPF of at least 30. Don’t forget too, you’ll need to reapply if your day calls for long hours under the sun.
If you plan to use one daily, or if you prefer a lighter product, look for ‘non-greasy’ or ‘sheer’ formulations to avoid the oiled-up look. Alternatively, you can also go for a water-based spray type, as long as it has a high SPF for protection.
3.“Face off” before bedtime: Remove all makeup!
Fact: Did you know that your skin undergoes the highest levels of repairs and rejuvenation while you are asleep? That’s why going to bed with makeup on is the worst thing you can do for your face. Makeup can mix with skin oils and dirt, thereby trapping skin-damaging radicals floating in the air like bus exhaust. This can cause all sorts of skin problems. Wash your face and remove every scrap of makeup, including mascara, as soon as you reach home. That way, you’ll know that no matter how tired you get later, your face is clean. Some people also feel that it’s a good idea to keep a pack of quality face wipes on your bedside table – for the assurance of a cleaner face before falling asleep.
4. Regularly clean/replace your makeup brushes
Dirty makeup brushes, sponges and applicators have a buildup of cosmetic products and skin oils creating a bacterial breeding ground which can cause skin irritation. If you’re not in the good habit of cleaning your makeup tools at least once a week, it’s a good idea to start right away! It might be a resolution that will prevent your skin from unnecessarily breaking out. Use a liquid hand soap or baby shampoo and lukewarm water to wash them – (hot water can cause bristles to fall out). Rinse well, squeeze out the excess water, reshape, and allow the brushes to dry thoroughly by balancing them over the sink. Every week, you can also try spritzing them with antibacterial cleaner and dry them with a tissue.
5. Pay due attention to post gym cleanliness
Gym and health studio activities like spinning, boot camps, yoga, or Pilates is good, but make sure these studios have a shower. Not washing properly after gym can cause acne. If the studio gym doesn’t have a shower, make sure to wear moisture-wicking clothes. Use salicylic acid pads to swipe the face, back, and chest after class, and change into clean, dry clothing. After getting back home, hop into the shower as soon as possible.
6. Exfoliation: Take it seriously
Our skin naturally renews itself every 28 days. In between that, it tends to get dry and lacklustre. Getting into the habit of exfoliating regularly will help this skin renewal process. For the face, a gentle face scrub will do, and if it’s gentle enough, you can even use it every day. For the body, you might need a slightly rougher exfoliant, especially when dealing with areas prone to dryness. Exfoliating is only useful though, if followed by thorough moisturization afterwards, for if not, your skin will dry out even faster!
7. Be gentle on the hands
For starters, use appropriate tools instead of your nails to pry open boxes and cans, as this can lead to chips and peeling on your nails. Use moisturising gels and soaps to protect nails and hands from dehydration. Also use sunscreen lotion on the hands as well. For nighttime care, rub hands with a rich alpha hydroxy acid lotion—it’s too thick for day—and if the skin is chapped, use shea butter. For deep rehab, put on a pair of cotton gloves and leave overnight to reveal lovelier skin the next day.
8. Stop picking on your face
Try to avoid touching the face as much as possible to avoid bringing dirt and oil to the skin. Do not pop squeeze pimples. If a pimple breaks, apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream right away over it to reduce inflammation and prevent prominent scaring.
9. Stick to the programme
Waiting for a new skin treatment to show results can be a test of patience. A good anti-ageing skin care programme can take six weeks to reveal results. Even skin lighteners and acne products need a few weeks to produce the wanted results. So, whatever you begin in terms of beauty care, stick to it and let it not be just a flash in the pan.
Get a mole check
Even people who diligently self-exam their bodies on a monthly basis, should consult a dermatologist once a year. For convenience, this appointment can be listed with other physical checkups and mammograms and scheduled at a relatively less hectic time of the year. Before leaving the doctor’s office, schedule an appointment for the coming year, set up a reminder in the phone and request the receptionist to follow up on it.
