by Mia Barnes | Oct 2, 2021
Skin care has become so much more popular in recent years, and for good reason! Skin care is about so much more than looking beautiful — although it can certainly do that too. Caring for your skin is about caring for the inside of your body as well as the outside, just like any other health and wellness routine.
There are so many ways that you can take care of your skin, and just the same, there are plenty of bad habits that might be impacting your skin. While of course everybody is different, there are a few universal skin care tips that are worth trying out no matter who you are. If you’re curious about the kinds of habits that can affect your skin, here are just a few of them.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is one of the most important ways to keep your skin healthy, and therefore not drinking enough water can have its consequences on your skin. Whether it comes as a result of dehydration or drinking sugary sodas and coffees, lacking water can contribute to dryness and breakouts.
Eating Processed Food
Similar to sugary drinks, processed foods filled with artificial sweeteners, processed sugar, white flours and complex fats can cause breakouts, excess sebum and oil that you’re likely in the market to avoid. Of course, everything is okay in moderation, but it’s best to keep processed food to a minimum.
Using Physical Exfoliators
This is a bad habit that can often be in good faith — while using scrubs, brushes and loofahs can sometimes feel good in the moment, it can actually cause abrasion and break down the moisture barrier that your skin needs protection.
Extra Hot Showers
Super hot showers, much like physical exfoliators, can feel good in the moment, but they are often much too harsh, especially if you have sensitive skin. Instead, try to take warm showers so you can relax and take care of your face.
Going to Sleep In Your Makeup
It can be tempting to crash at the end of the day without doing your evening skin care routine — especially if you’re extra tired. But going to sleep in your makeup is actually a bad habit that can cause breakouts, irritation and excess sebum and oil. Try to at least cleanse with micellar water before you hit the hay.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol is another habit that can affect your skin. Specifically, if you struggle with rosacea, hyperpigmentation, redness or dryness, drinking regularly can often trigger those skin issues. Try cutting back on alcohol or even going completely sober to see how your skin reacts.
Changing Products too Frequently
It can be fun to change up your skin care routine whenever you catch wind of a fun new product you’re itching to try — but let’s not forget that skin care routines are important for a reason. When you find products that work for your skin, you should keep them in your rotation.
Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health, but it’s also bad for your complexion. If you smoke cigarettes, try to cut back or quit, as they can cause premature aging, spots, hyperpigmentation and breakouts.
Skipping the SPF
Speaking of premature aging and spots, skipping out on sunscreen is one of the most common bad skin habits. Make sure that even during the colder months you keep applying an SPF of at least 30 before you leave the house in the morning — you’ll thank yourself in a few years.
Popping and Picking
Although pimple popping videos can sometimes be satisfying to watch and even satisfying to reenact, it can actually be a very bad idea to pop and pick when you have breakouts. Not only can it get bacteria underneath the surface of your skin, but it can also lead to scarring and spots.
Bad Skin Habits to Kick
Taking care of your skin is truly about going from the inside out. From the food that you eat to the way that you hydrate yourself, and even the temperature of your showers, there are so many places that you can improve your habits in order to take better care of your skin. Do you have a tendency towards any of these habits?
Cover photo by Shiny Diamond from Pexels
Interior photo by Maria Orlova from Pexels
by Mia Barnes | Jul 30, 2021
6 Expert Ways to Protect Your Skin From Scarring, Injury and Blemishes
With the warm season here, you bare more skin. However, you want to keep your appearance glowing and blemish-free any time of year.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and many things can damage it. Here are six expert ways to protect your skin from scarring, injury and blemishes.
1. Leave New Pimples Alone
While sitting in your 8 a.m. chemistry class, you notice a bump on your chin that feels like a fresh blackhead. Your tendencies might scream, “pick at me!” Please try not to yield to the temptation. Picking at your skin can introduce new dirt and germs into pores, making existing acne worse. Trying to pop a newly erupted pimple can push bacteria and oil deeper into the infected pore, increasing swelling, pressure and redness. Icing such spots can reduce swelling and redness until they reach the point where you can perform an extraction.
2. But Treat Injuries Quickly
The old cliché may advise you to never trust a man who has no scars — but the originator of this saying spoke metaphorically. In reality, you want to practice proper wound care to prevent scarring.
If you get a cut or a burn, your first order of business is to thoroughly clean the wound to remove any debris. You also need to cool burns before applying any ointments that might seal heat inside your skin. Once you’ve cleansed and cooled the area, apply a dab of petroleum jelly to the affected area to keep the wound from drying out and forming a scab. You can also use silicone or hydrogel sheets for larger wounds.
Bruises fade in time, but they can distress you if you end up sporting purple and green blotches that contrast with your sleeveless pink bridesmaid’s gown at a summer wedding. Icing your bruise immediately after the bump occurs can help minimize discoloration. Please ensure that you use a fabric bugger between the ice pack and your skin to avoid making matters worse.
3. Use the Right Tool
Take heart, perfect skin seekers. You can still enjoy the gross-yet-satisfying sensation of popping your pimples if you wait until the right time and use the correct instrument.
It’s best if you use self-care techniques after a seasoned professional shows you the ropes. However, let’s keep it real — not everyone has the money for a dermatologist. You can buy comedone extractors such as those recommended by Dr. Pimple Popper and find instructional videos online if you can’t afford a trip.
4. Or Call a Professional
If you have the means, please see a professional for the best advice on protecting your skin from scarring, injuries and blemishes. Please don’t think this advice implies that you can’t learn how to take care of your skin at home.
However, your dermatologist can help you considerably in this endeavor by identifying your skin type and recommending products ideal for your unique DNA. You could potentially save money by not wasting countless pennies here and there trying various products that may work for others, but not you.
5. Wear Sunscreen
If you haven’t started wearing sunscreen each day yet, please get into the habit. Even if you adopt the mindset of, “early humans didn’t wear protection, and they survived” keep in mind that things have changed. Climate change means humans now experience more ground-level UVA radiation than past generations.
If you eschew commercial sunscreens because of the chemicals some brands contain, you can make DIY protection. All you need is some powdered zinc oxide and a carrier base that works well for your skin type. Coconut oil works wonders for dry skin, while argan oil won’t clog acne-prone pores.
6. Nourish Your Skin
Even if you try to be careful, you will eventually suffer life’s bumps and bruises. When you do, your body will heal itself — and recovery will go more quickly if you provide it with the right building blocks for doing so.
If you don’t follow a vegan diet, try to consume more fatty fish for the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. The omega-3’s reduce redness and inflammation from pimples, while vitamin E protects against damaging free radicals. Plant-based foods such as walnuts, sweet potatoes and red and yellow bell peppers likewise contain various antioxidants that help protect your skin cells from further damage and provide the materials they need to heal.
Protect Your Skin From Scarring, Injuries and Blemishes
Looking your best means taking care of your body’s largest organ. Protect your skin from scarring, injuries and blemishes to give it the best chance at longevity.
by Mia Barnes | Jul 15, 2021
Skincare has been all the rage in recent years, especially for the younger generation. Kids and teens are taking better care of their skin than ever before, and it definitely shows in the content and expertise that has emerged from millennials and gen z creators, as well as their products themselves. This means that in addition to the anti-aging methods and products already on the market, plenty of people are looking to treat aging before it even happens. This can be highly beneficial, as our skin actually begins to age as early as our 20’s.
With the rise of comprehensive sun protection and pre-aging skincare routines, there’s never been a better time to start caring for your skin so you age like fine wine! It’s never too early to get started. Here are eight tips to make sure your skin ages beautifully.
Moisturize
Yes, the proof is in the pudding. No matter how old you are and what your skin type is, you should still be moisturizing every day. In terms of anti-aging techniques, this holds true especially for those with dry and combination skin, as moisturizing can prevent wrinkles and protect the skin against damage.
Use an SPF
Many people will tell you that protecting your skin against the sun is one of the best ways to prevent rapid aging and skin damage, and those people would be right. Preventative, proactive maintenance tends to be more effective than reactive care. The sun can cause wrinkles and sun spots, and the sooner you start using an SPF, the more likely you’ll be to prevent those changes. Make sure you use a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher for the very best protection.
Take Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals, in addition to a balanced diet, can grant your skin the elasticity and resilience it needs to age slowly and gracefully. Multivitamins and collagen supplements can often do the trick, in addition to amino acids, magnesium, iron and biotin, which you can supplement at your own discretion.
Stay Hydrated
You can never go wrong with drinking enough water every day, and staying hydrated is one of the best tips for skin health and longevity. It can help provide healthy skin resilience and protection, especially if you make it a habit.
Quit Smoking
While this one can be tough for people, smoking can have detrimental effects on the skin over time. Not only can smoking cause sagging, age spots and wrinkles, but it can also impact your overall health. While quitting can certainly be hard, it’s worth it to cut back or try to quit, both for your outer beauty and your internal health.
Use a Retinol
Retinol treatments are sometimes considered to be a magical fix for all sorts of skin concerns. Essentially, retinol helps skin cells regenerate themselves and heal properly from damage. In a sense, it’s a kind of exfoliator. This helps both skin clarity and helps to prevent aging, giving you the best of both worlds. Just make sure that you use your retinol at night and keep up with your sun protection routine, as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Reduce Stress
Stress can cause the skin to age, just like other — arguably, more important — parts of the body. Too much stress can cause lines, wrinkles and other, more immediate problems like rashes, breakouts, acne scarring, bumps and other imperfections. Overall, if you’re looking to relax your skin, it can help to relax your life. While it isn’t always possible to zap all of your stress away, trying to reduce stress in little ways as much as possible can help reduce visible signs of aging.
Use a Chemical Exfoliator
We already talked about this a bit with the retinol, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Chemical exfoliators are far superior to their physical exfoliator counterparts. Not only are they gentler on the skin, but they also go deeper and help skin cell regeneration. Retinol, glycolic acid, AHA and BHA are all examples of chemical exfoliators.
Making Sure Your Skin Ages Well
Taking care of your skin has never been more popular, and for a good reason! The health of your face is a part of your overall health, and it’s never too late to start looking at longevity. Whether you’re opting for vitamins or a chemical exfoliator, you can take care of your skin and keep the wrinkles and creases away.
by Mia Barnes | Jun 5, 2021
Skincare is all the rage right now, and whether you’re brand new to caring for your skin or you’ve had a routine for quite some time, there are so many ways to care for your skin, even beyond the products you use on your face. Namely, the food you eat and the fuel you put into your body can impact your skin’s health and appearance. While, of course, everyone is different and each person’s skin has unique needs, there are certain foods that can brighten, clear up and bring some bounce into your skin.
Self care is highly important, and taking care of your face and body is a part of the act of self care. If you’re thinking about which foods will be best for you to try out, it’s all a matter of your body and how your system reacts. It might take a bit of time to figure out the very best foods for you, especially if you have unique skin concerns and change up your routine frequently. But regardless of your skincare journey, these nine foods each have their own way to help you glow to the heavens. Here are just a few of the foods you can try out for better skin.
Water
Okay, technically this one isn’t a food, but it must be said. Making sure you drink enough water on a daily basis is one of the easiest and most effective ways to care for your skin through your diet. While drinking water alone won’t clear up acne or give you a dewy glow, the hydration can increase elasticity and moisture so you can heal faster and have more even skin.
Avocados
Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and vitamin E, which can be great for skin elasticity, moisture and clarity — not to mention the anti-aging properties. Many people put avocado and avocado oil directly in skincare products, but eating it can also lead to benefits.
Bell Peppers
Specifically, red and yellow bell peppers can be fantastic for skin elasticity and anti-aging, as well as combating dryness. They come with lots of beta carotene, which converts into vitamin A within the body. They’re also full of vitamin C, which can help your body process collagen.
Seafood
Seafood and fish are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help with skin elasticity and healing. Not only can this offer hydration and anti-aging properties, but eating fish can even help protect against UV rays from the sun! Of course, you should always wear an SPF when going outside during the day, but a little extra protection can never hurt.
Green Tea
Green tea can help protect your skin from damage and aging. Similar to fish, the antioxidants in green tea can help protect against sun damage, and the catechin compounds can help with elasticity and clarity of the skin. Just make sure to avoid drinking it with milk, which can cause inflammation and lower the beneficial effects of the tea.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and other lettuces can be great sources of beta carotene, which can help repair damaged skin and protect skin by converting into vitamin A within the body. They’re also full of antioxidants and hydration.
Berries
Speaking of antioxidants, berries like blueberries, raspberries and strawberries can be great for protecting your skin and offering nutrients. Blueberries can be particularly beneficial for people with dry skin, sensitive skin and redness, as they’re vascular constrictors, which work to combat those symptoms.
Tomatoes
While some people like to use tomatoes and tomato extract directly on their faces, eating tomatoes can also give you amazing benefits for your skin. Specifically, they can help to control oiliness and provide anti-aging benefits.
Oranges
Oranges are high in vitamin C, which is exactly what you should be looking to add to your diet if you want to reduce wrinkles and aging — especially if you tend to have dry or combination skin. While recent skincare developments have seen an increase in direct-to-face vitamin C products like serums and face washes, getting vitamin C straight from the source is still one of the best ways to go. Other citrus fruits and juices can also be a great way to get your vitamin C in.
Foods to Feed Your Skin
Taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of any other part of your being — and when it’s so intertwined with eating a healthy diet, why not take the plunge? While everybody has their own skin needs and sensitivities, you can find the very best foods for your face. Do you have a food you already love to keep your skin glowing?
