Perfect Skin – How to Get Your Best Looking Skin Ever

Being the largest organ in the body, your skin acts as a protective barrier to keep external pathogens away.  Because it is exposed to the elements, it needs help to look its best. The key to great looking skin is via a “holistic” approach, meaning that there are many variables that can help you achieve your best looking skin ever.   Here’s how:

Establish a Skin Care Regimen That Works Best For You

Make sure your skin care products are right for your own skin type.  Seasonality affects your skin type, too, so be sure to adjust your skin care products in the summer with lighter formulations and more moisturizing formulations in the winter.  Fragrance free skin care products are ideal, as fragrance is the #1 cause of skin irritations.

Cleansing – even if your skin is super oily, twice a day cleansing is generally all you need, once in the morning and then at night.  The key is to be gentle, so you don’t irritate the skin – only use your fingertips, never harsh wash cloths or scrubbing sponges.   Wash off cleansers thoroughly with lukewarm, never hot water.   Especially if you wear long wearing makeup, try cleansing twice to insure your skin is super clean.

Toners – following cleansing, use a toner to remove excess dirt and return your skin to its natural pH balance.

Moisturize after toner – make sure to apply a moisturizer to both your face and neck.  As the skin around your eye area is different than your face, an eye cream is a good investment.  A moisturizer that contains a 30 SPF or higher sunscreen should be used year around.

Exfoliate – twice a week to slough off dead skin cells.  Instead of scrubs that contain pumice and other granules, try a scrub that contains alpha hydroxyl acid for gentle exfoliation.

Makeup & Makeup Brushes

To keep bacteria away, throw out make up older than 1 year old.  Wash your makeup brushes regularly with a gentle cleanser and air dry.

Wear a foundation, as it provides a protective layer between your skin and the environment.  Choose a fragrance free, oil free, non comedogenic foundation that works for your skin type.  Just a thin layer is enough protection.  Make sure you choose a foundation color that most closely matches your skin color, so there is no tell- tale sign of demarcation 

A Healthy Diet = Healthy Skin

Diet recommendations for a healthy body work just as well for healthy skin.  Avoid sugar, alcohol, processed foods, fried foods and high fat foods.  Choose healthier choices that include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Get healthy fats from nuts.

Antioxidants protect your skin; foods high in antioxidants are oranges, tomatoes, avocados, spinach and green tea. 

Avoid Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is the #1 cause of skin aging and skin cancer.  Fortunately, there are great spray on tanners available today to give you healthy sun-kissed color without the dangers of UVA/UVB rays.

1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer, so be sure to get an annual skin cancer screening by a doctor and do annual self checks.

Smoking Ages Skin

Besides other health issues, smoking ages the skin, making it look dry and yellow.  Also, repeated inhalation results in wrinkles around the mouth area.

Get Your Beauty Sleep

Lack of sleep not only makes you tired, it makes you look tired. Sleep deprivation can lead to dryness, irritation and can age your skin.  Your body and your skin will thank you if you get 7 hours of more of restful sleep nightly.

Stress Less

Unfortunately, stress is a fact of life.  But how you deal with all that excess cortisol floating through your body can negate its harmful effects.  To help stress levels, many people have found meditation, deep breathing and exercise helpful.

Exercise Your Way to Healthy Skin

Speaking of exercise, regular exercise not only improves your skin, but is essential for your well-being.  It increases blood circulation, carrying oxygen to nourish your body and skin.  Improved circulation flushes toxins and waste products from your body.  Before starting an exercise regimen, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough for exercise.

If you exercise outdoors, be sure to wear a waterproof sunscreen.  If you exercise in a gym, clean all the equipment before and after use to insure you don’t get unwanted germs.

Try to shower or wash your face immediately after exercise, as excess perspiration can worsen skin conditions, especially for people who have acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.

Bedding/Towels – Change Regularly

Change your pillowcase every 2 – 3 days to make sure you are sleeping on a clean surface, as bedding can be a hotbed for bacterial growth.

Also, change your towels regularly.  To insure no irritation, wash with fragrance free laundry detergents.

Vitamins, Supplements, Probiotics for Healthy Skin

Your skin needs a balance of nutrients to be healthy, but it’s hard to always eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet.  Vitamins, supplements and probiotics can help out.  Vitamins A, D3, Zinc and Omega 3 Fatty Acids all help promote healthy, happy skin.  Probiotics or “good” gut bacteria can improve digestion and nutritional absorption.

In addition to vitamins, certain minerals can help skin conditions.  A dermatologist developed exclusive mineral formulations to relieve acne, eczema, dandruff and psoriasis.  Loma Lux products contain all natural minerals that are taken orally, just like a vitamin, to clear skin from the inside out, for healthy skin from within.  For more information: https://www.lomalux.com/