Taking good care of your skin, hair, and nails need not be a task by itself. All it needs is your willingness to make small changes to your routine. These 9 easy-to-do changes will make sure you’re on the right track.
1. Eat More Vegetables
It’s no secret that eating fruits and vegetables has tremendous benefits for your overall health. Research has shown that eating lots of fruit and vegetables is also highly effective in maintaining good skin. A 2011 study conducted by the University of Nottingham found that people who eat more portions of fruit and vegetables per day had a more golden skin color, thanks to compounds called carotenoids which give natural produce its pigmentation.
2. Wash Your Face Once A Day
Dermatologists recommend that you should wash your face at least once a day, preferably at night. That way, all the dirt and grime, makeup residue, and pollutants that have accumulated on your face through the day get washed off. If you have skin conditions like acne, you might need to wash your face more than once. You can also wash your face in the morning but since your skin’s clean at that time, you can skip the soap and just rinse with water.
3. Moisturize Within 3 Minutes After Having A Shower
Most people believe that moisturizers add moisture to the skin but the truth is that moisturizing creams and lotions trap existing water in the skin by preventing it from evaporating. The best way to keep your skin moisturized is to trap moisture in soon after you have had a shower. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends doing it within 3 minutes after your shower.
4. Use Virgin Coconut Oil In Your Moisturizing Routine
From celebrities to the average American homemaker, everyone is discovering the amazing benefits of virgin coconut oil. A recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology also showed that topical application of virgin coconut oil decreased water loss in the skin of people with atopic dermatitis. Regardless of your skin type, coconut oil can work wonders on your skin as a natural moisturizer. It is also a great hair-nourisher and protects your hair from damage.
5. Exercise Regularly For A Natural Skin Cleanse
You may have noticed that people who exercise regularly have a warm glow on their skin. This is not just a coincidence. Exercising has dual benefits for your skin. Because it increases blood circulation, exercising results in increased flow of oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin. The same circulatory effect also helps flush cellular debris out of your system. However, if you like to exercise outdoors, make sure to avoid the sun.
6. Cover Your Hair In The Sun
Sun exposure is bad not just for your skin but also for your hair. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the internal protein structure of hair and eventually weaken it. If you have blonde hair, you need to be extra careful as lighter hair is prone to more damage. So make sure you always have accessories like hats or scarves with you during summers.
7. Sleep On Your Back
This simple change can help you avoid dark circles and puffiness in your eyes. When you sleep with your face buried into the pillow, your blood vessels become constricted and the circulatory system releases congested fluid from tiny flaps in the walls of these vessels. The result is dark circles which are actually tiny blood vessels pooling under the delicate skin below your eyes.
8. Sleep For At Least 7 hours
Science has found that beauty and sleep are closely related. A study released by the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio and Estée Lauder Companies Inc. showed that people who don’t get enough sleep at night are more likely to have poorer skin health and skin that ages up to 50% more quickly. You need at least 7 hours of good sleep if your skin has to stay healthy. Poor sleepers have significantly higher ratings of fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and lower elasticity.
9. Have Tomatoes In The Summer
Summer is the time when your skin is most vulnerable to heat and sunlight. While sunscreen can protect your skin externally, you can also give your skin protection from the inside. In the 2012 study led by Newcastle University, UK, lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes, has been found to significantly protect skin from UV damage. And the good news is you can get all the lycopene you need from cooked tomato paste or sauce. So don’t hold back on the ketchup this summer.
