The results of a recent survey showed that 44 percent of women and 25 percent of men thought that improving their skin would help to increase their self-confidence.
Are you part of this group? Have you spent a lot of time wondering what improves skin appearance and quality? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Listed below are nine effective tips on how to get better skin.
- Drink Green Tea
Consider swapping out your afternoon coffee for a mug of green tea. You’ll still get your caffeine fix, but you’ll also be getting lots of beneficial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that will help you on your journey to figure out how to improve skin.
Green tea is very effective when it comes to soothing redness and irritation (especially when you drink it iced instead of hot). Its anti-inflammatory benefits can help those who struggle with acne-prone skin, too. It also contains epigallocatechin gallate, which can prevent collagen destruction and wrinkle formation.
- Manage Your Stress
Many people are unaware that high levels of stress can lead to problems with their skin. It could make inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, etc.) worse, and it’s especially bad for those who are acne-prone.
When stress is high, the body produces higher levels of the hormone cortisol. This, in turn, can make oil production worse and can increase incidences of clogged pores. All of this adds up to more breakouts and increased skin irritation for lots of people.
If you have skin problems and know that your stress levels are higher than you’d like, take steps to mitigate that problem. Practice yoga or meditation and get plenty of sleep to give your body time to rest and recover.
- Consider Air Quality
Poor air quality can lead to higher levels of oxidative stress, which can cause more inflammation in the body. It can also lead to more wrinkles and fine lines and cause the skin to appear dull.
You might not be able to do much about the air quality outside. You can protect yourself when you’re indoors, though, by using a high-quality HEPA air purifier. Make sure you change the filter for your air purifier on a regular basis, too, so that you can enjoy the greatest benefits from it.
- Always Wear Sunscreen
If you want to slow down the aging process and protect yourself from sun damage, you need to wear sunscreen every day. That’s right, every day, not just the days when you’re spending hours in the sun.
Many people don’t realize that they can even experience sun damage when they’re indoors. If you sit near a window, the sun can still penetrate your skin and cause damage, so it’s important to shield yourself even on days when you’re not planning to spend much time outside.
- Ditch the Dairy
For people who want to learn how to have better skin, eliminating dairy can be very beneficial. This is especially true for those who have acne-prone skin.
In some people who are lactose intolerant, dairy consumption can elevate inflammation levels in the body. This, in turn, can make acne worse and exacerbate other skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.
Some dairy products also contain hormones that may cause higher levels of oil production, which may contribute to breakouts.
- Think About Your Beauty Hygiene
Beauty hygiene includes things like the frequency with which you wash your makeup brushes and clean your pillowcases. If you’re not taking care to clean the surfaces that come in contact with your skin on a regular basis, you could find that your acne gets worse.
Be sure to clean your beauty tools, as well as sheets and pillowcases, once per week. This will help to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria that can clog pores and cause or worsen breakouts.
- Wash Your Skin Often
In addition to washing your tools, make sure you’re washing your skin often.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night, as well as after workouts. This will help to keep your pores clear and prevent breakouts. Wash your body with a gentle soap as well, especially if you’re prone to breakouts on your shoulders, chest, or back.
- Use a Toner
Another tip that can be a game-changer for those who want to know how to improve your skin is to use a toner in your skincare routine.
Toners balance the pH of the skin and help to prepare it so that it can absorb other products. If you aren’t using a toner before a moisturizer, spot treatment, or serum, you might not notice as many benefits (acne-reducing, wrinkle-preventing, etc.) as you would otherwise.
Toners also tighten the pores. This makes it harder for bacteria, dirt, and other pore-clogging compounds to penetrate your skin and cause breakouts.
- Take the Right Supplements
Certain supplements can work wonders when it comes to improving the skin.
Many people are aware of the benefits of biotin for hair growth, for example, but they don’t realize that it’s great for the skin, too. A lack of biotin can lead to rashes, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
According to the article entitled, The Benefits of Biotin, from PatchMD.com, pregnant women are at the highest risk of having a biotin deficiency. If you’re expecting, it’s especially important to make sure you’re getting enough biotin for better skin and overall health.
Other good supplements to use include fish oil supplements, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (which the skin needs for proper cellular health and to reduce inflammation). Supplementing with turmeric can help to reduce inflammation as well.
You Know How to Get Better Skin: Now What?
You might not be blessed with naturally clear, smooth skin. However, there are lots of steps you can take to improve the way it looks and increase your confidence.
Keep these tips on how to get better skin in mind and give them a try today. Before you know it, you’ll likely see significant improvements to the way it looks and feels.
Don’t forget to visit the Health section of our site as well. You’ll find lots of other helpful skincare tips and tricks here that will help you learn even more about getting better skin and keeping it looking nice all year round.