A glowing, radiant complexion isn’t all about wearing the right make-up. Crafty concealers and handy highlighters can certainly help but it all starts with a clear, healthy complexion.
So if your skin has seen better days, follow our useful tips to get your skin glowing in no time.
You are what you eat…
Processed foods are high in sugar, sodium and saturated fats, all of which not only affect our health but can also cause premature ageing of the skin. A healthy diet is crucial for improving your complexion. Swap processed foods for plenty of fruit and veggies and incorporate complex carbohydrates like whole grains and brown rice into your diet as these improve skin cell regeneration.
Omega-3s can actually reverse the damage caused to skin by a poor diet high. It’s s a natural anti-inflammatory which helps to calm broken out skin and decrease the hormone that causes oil production and clogged pores. Oily fish, flax seed, walnuts and soy beans are all great sources of Omega-3s.
Drink up…
The water you drink serves as an internal moisturizer for your skin! Staying properly hydrated helps to smooth out wrinkles, keeping your skin looking brighter and younger.
Alcohol, on the other hand, has the opposite effect as it dehydrates the skin, depleting it of vital nutrients and making it appear dull and grey. After a night on the town, drink plenty of water, as this will help to counteract the skin dehydration that comes with drinking alcohol.
Work hard…
In the gym that is! Raising your heart rate is the best way to get blood pumping around the body. By increasing blood flow, exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital. Blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the skin and also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working skin cells.
Working up a sweat is also great for your skin as sweat purges your body of toxins that can clog pores leading to pimples and blemishes. Exercise allows the sweat glands to increase their functions and rid the skin of toxins.
Once you sweat out those toxins, it's important to wash them off as you don't want to leave them sitting on your skin. Always shower after exercise to prevent bacteria from clogging up your pores.
Catch some zzz’s
A good night’s sleep is critical to improving your complexion. During our nightly slumber the body repairs the daily damage caused to the skin by stress, ultraviolet rays and pollution.
While we sleep the body produces proteins which are the skin cell’s building blocks, essential for rejuvenation and regeneration of the skin.
A lack of sleep is also a major cause of dark under-eye circles and swollen puffy eyes that no amount of make-up can hide.
Keep it clean…
From your phone to your pillow case, your skin comes in contact with millions of germs each day. Keep it clean by cleansing every morning and night and changing your pillow case regularly.
Make-up brushes are another breeding ground for bacteria, meaning that every time you put that brush to your face, you’re putting your skin at risk. So for the sake of your skin give your make-up brushes a weekly clean.
Play it safe…
Sun damage is the number one cause of dull skin. UV rays from the sun penetrate deep into your skin and damage collagen, which is the protein that holds your skin together in a firm and smooth way.
When you subject your skin to regular sessions in the sun, its melanin production increases causing sunspots and pigmentation. Play it safe and protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum 30+ sunscreen every single day.
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