7 Habits for a Clear and Healthy Complexion

While there is no doubt that a good skin care routine can benefit your skin, it isn’t the only thing you should consider if you want a healthy complexion. As your habits and lifestyle can also affect the state of your skin, you also need to mind your diet, sleep, and other day-to-day activities. 

Here are a few habits you should adopt for a clear and healthy skin. 

1. Protect your skin from the sun.

UV rays cause premature aging, so it is important that you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Choose a product with an SPF of at least 30 and apply 20 to 30 minutes before going out. It is also a good idea to wear sunglasses/brimmed hat, seek shade, and limit sun exposure, especially during peak hours (between 10am and 4pm).

2. Don’t go to bed with makeup on.

Keeping your makeup on allows impurities, cosmetics, and dirt to linger on your healthy skin. This can clog your pores, irritate your skin, and lead to the appearance of more blemishes. Always make it a habit to remove your makeup. You can do so by using a makeup remover or micellar water.

3. Don’t skimp on sleep

Sleep allows your skin to take a break from pollution, UV damage, and other environmental stressors. Your body also goes into regeneration mode at nighttime, replacing damaged cells and producing new ones. This only makes it important to prioritize sleeping early, making sure you get 7 to 9 hours of slumber.

4. Cut back on alcohol 

Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates the skin and increases inflammation in your skin tissues. It also lowers the quality of your sleep and disrupts the body’s regenerative process. It is best to limit your consumption or drink with water and reduce the alcohol’s diuretic effect, as well as damage to your skin. 

5. Exercise daily 

Apart from improving your mood and giving you energy, regular physical activity can also improve blood flow. This carries oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, which can help improve your appearance. There is also the benefit of reducing your stress hormones and toning your muscles, enabling you to look and feel your best.  

6. Mind your diet/ eating habits

A diet loaded with fruits and vegetables can promote healthy skin by protecting it from cellular damage. Eat a rainbow of colorful fruits and veggies to get most of the vitamins and minerals you need. Good options for improving skin include red peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, leafy greens, and dark red and orange veggies. 

Here are few recommendations on eating for healthy skin:

• Eat foods high in vitamin C to promote radiant skin. Good sources include blueberries, oranges, kiwi fruits, strawberries, and papaya.
• Consume some healthy fats to keep skin plump and hydrated. These are typically found in nuts and seeds, oily fish, and avocados.
• Get enough omega-3 to fight inflammation. Good sources include oily fish, chia seeds, and walnuts).
• Eat lots of zinc to help repair skin damage. Zinc-rich foods include wholegrains, lean red meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, and nuts. 
• Drink plenty of water to prevent your skin from looking parched and dehydrated. It is best to choose water over sugary and caffeinated drinks.
• Eat enough vitamin E to support the growth of healthy skin. Good sources include avocados, almonds, pine nuts, hazel nuts, and sunflower oils.

7. Determine your skin type

Knowing your skin type is important when creating the right skin care routine. If you, for instance, have oily or acne-prone skin, you need to choose oil-free or non-comedogenic products. You can determine your skin type based on your own observations or by consulting your skin or aesthetic doctor. 

Explore our website for more skin care tips and medical-grade product recommendations. You can also Cutis Laser Clinics and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors to improve your skin health and address skin concerns.