10 quick skin care tips

10 quick skin care tips
These ten quick skin care tips will help you keep your skin looking its best.

1) Wear sunscreen daily, even if you will not be outside for long. This is perhaps the most important skin care tip of all. Sun damage is the leading cause of both premature aging and skin cancer. Even if you think a tan looks great on you now, in a few years, you could begin to show signs of premature aging. Use at least SPF 15 sunscreen and apply it on your face, neck and chest, as well as any other area that will be exposed. You don’t have to wear the same kind daily on your face that you wear to the beach—look for foundation cream and moisturizers containing sunscreen.

2) Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Water is vitally important for flushing out the body’s systems, and skin is the most visible organ system of all. Dehydration is one of the most common problems that prevents many people from looking or feeling their best.

3) Wash daily with an anti-bacterial soap, and do not leave makeup on overnight. This will help prevent acne from developing or worsening and prevent infection. Some of the most frequent types of medication prescribed for acne are antibiotics, and an anti-bacterial soap works by the same principles, except it is applied directly to the surface of your skin.

4) Get plenty of vitamins. Many vitamins have been proven effective for skin care. Vitamin A, found in many anti-aging products in the form of Retinol has been shown to stimulate cell regeneration, which helps restore elasticity, and improve pigmentation. Vitamin E helps skin heal and can reduce the appearance of scarring. Vitamin B7 supplements can help reduce acne over the course of several weeks. Many other vitamins and minerals are essential to the health of your skin, so eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and consider taking a multivitamin.

5) Use an exfoliator once or twice a week. Exfoliating your skin causes dead cells on the surface to be sloughed off, exposing fresher-looking skin. This will smooth out uneven dry patches and give your face a more youthful, radiant appearance. Facial exfoliation is beneficial for both men and women because it can help prevent ingrown hairs after shaving and provide a smoother base for makeup application as well. Exfoliation is also good for the skin because it stimulates circulation and encourages cell regeneration.
6) Test new facial products on a small patch of skin underneath your chin before applying them all over your entire face. Even if a product seems safe to use, if you have never tried it before, you never know exactly how your skin will react. Wait overnight to see if the test area develops hives, redness, itchiness, or irritation.

7) Keep your hands and hair away from your face to prevent excess oil from causing pimples, and keep your makeup brushes clean. At night, tie your hair back to keep it from your face while you sleep, and if you tend to sleep on your hands try putting them underneath your pillow instead. Throw out old makeup and products over several months old, and never share makeup with your friends. Don’t use the sample makeup in stores unless it is individually packaged because this can easily spread germs. If you need to test out a new color, use the skin on the top of your hand or forearm--never apply free samples to your face.

8) Treat skin problems early to prevent them from worsening. If severe acne is left untreated, pustules can burst underneath the skin, leaving scars. Never pick at or pop a pimple, because this prolongs healing and can leave unsightly marks. Instead, wash daily with a drying agent such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If home remedies do not work, you should visit a dermatologist. Also go to the doctor immediately if you have any wounds that won’t heal or if you notice odd changes in pigmentation or the size of the mole.

9) Use skin care products and makeup specifically designed for your skin type. If you don’t know what type of skin you have, many cosmetics counters offer a free skin care assessment. If you are prone to acne, look for oil-free makeup and moisturizers. African American and Asian skin sometimes requires special care.

10) Be gentle with your skin, particularly around the eyes. Try to be aware of frowning expressions and tension in your face, because you do not want wrinkles to form in an unpleasant way. Try to smile more. A pleasant expression will make you look younger.

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