Keeping your Skin in the Game
Spring is upon us and for most of us that means spending much more time outdoors enjoying warmer temperatures and much missed sunshine. But the increased exposure to the sun also means being more mindful of protecting and caring for our skin.
As we get older, our skin does not produce new cells as quickly as it used to, causing it to become less elastic and prone to dryness. Something similar happens to cells that give our hair its color. Hair pigment cells become less efficient at renewing themselves, which makes hair gray.
Of course we have the option of coloring our hair to hide the gray (you can read my blogpost “Is there a Silver Revolution going on?” on this topic). But what about our skin?
There are of course countless skincare products on the market that promise to return our 50+ skin to the softness and elasticity of a newborn baby’s behind. But many of these products are very pricey and rarely live up to their promises. So what to do to give your skin a leg up?
Well, let’s start with a few “don’ts”:
Put down the cigs! Smoking prematurely ages your skin.
Avoid spending time in direct sun between 10 am and 2 pm, which is when the sun’s rays are strongest. If you must be outside, wear protective clothing.
Skipping the tanning beds! According to the National Cancer Institute, the exposure to UV/UVA radiation from sunlamps used in tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer.
Alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, depriving it of moisture and nutrients.
However, there are some simple and inexpensive “dos” to “keep your skin in the game”:
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Drinking plenty of water (see my blogpost “Keep Drinking”).
Exercising most days of the week.
Wearing sunscreen religiously.
Wearing sunglasses to reduce squinting.
Cleansing your skin gently. No scrubbing!!
Washing your face twice a day and after perspiring heavily.
Using a facial moisturizer every day.
Checking your skin often for possible signs of skin cancer.
Sleep!!
Reducing stress.
The ADA (American Academy for Dermatology Association) recommends the following skincare routine for any skin type:
To cleanse the face, apply a nonabrasive, alcohol-free cleanser using your finger tips, then rinse with lukewarm water. Do this in the morning , at night, and after perspiring heavily. You can add a toner and a moisturizer formulated for your skin type.
That’s it!
What’s your #1 skincare tip?
Sources: ADA, NCI, Webmd.com
Photo credit: engin-akyurt on Unsplash