5 Healthy Skin Care Tips | Renewal MD

Even if you don’t have time to engage in an advanced skin care regime, you can still take steps to ensure that your skin is healthy and free from acne and blemishes. Keeping your skin healthy can be achieved in these five easy steps.

1. Protect Your Face from the Sun

The best way to avoid wrinkles, age spots, freckles, dry or rough skin and even cancer is to shield yourself from the sun. Avoid going out into the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you are outside, wear protective clothing or garments that block UVA and UVB sunrays. Finally, always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, and reapply it every two hours for maximum protection.

2. Put Down the Cigarettes

Smoking ages your skin and contributes to wrinkles because it causes blood vessels to narrow, which decreases the blood flow to your skin. Healthy vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin A, collagen and elastin are depleted, leading to a loss in elasticity and strength. Wrinkles can result from repetitive actions, such as drawing on a cigarette or squinting to avoid smoke. The best thing to do is stop smoking. Talk to your Maple Grove, St. Cloud or Woodbury, Minnesota doctor for help in quitting.

3.Be Gentle

Over-zealous treatment can have negative effects on your skin. As such, it’s important to be gentle, lightly pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer after you bathe. When shaving, use a lubricant and a sharp razor. Avoid hot water while showering, which can strip your skin of vital oils. Instead, use warm water and take quick showers. When it comes to soap, mild cleansers are best because they don’t strip oils like strong soaps.

4. Enjoy a Healthy Diet

Eating a diet filled with vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains is a great way to improve your appearance and the way you feel. Research indicates that a low-fat, low-carb diet that is rich in vitamin C may help your skin look younger.

5. Control Stress

Stress can increase skin sensitivity and even trigger blemishes and acne. In order to keep your skin and state of mind in tip-top shape, make sure your to-do list highlights only the priorities, set limits for yourself and take the time to engage in activities you love. You’ll be surprised how great you look and feel!