Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so treat it right! Skin needs to be treated well from both the inside and the outside! In addition to using quality skin care products, there some super simple things that you might not have thought about. Here are 5 easy things that I do that have improved my skin—fewer blemishes and blackheads, better skin tone, plus my wrinkles don’t seem to be getting more noticeable!
I am not a doctor, so the purpose of this article is purely informational. Always consult a physician or medical professional if you’re not sure if these tips are for you.
1. Stop washing your face
Yep. That’s what I said! Stop washing your face! Some people benefit from a much simpler skin care regime. You may want to gently cleanse your face, but you probably don’t need to scrub or use harsh products!
If you think about it, does it really make a lot of sense to strip away every bit of moisture and oil, and then apply an expensive moisturizer to put that moisture back? Skin produces oil for a reason (to protect skin and keep it healthy), so I figured that it makes sense to let my skin’s natural oils do what they are supposed to do! I stopped washing my face a few years ago because I found that cleansers stripped away too much oil leaving my face dry. Then my T-zone would get oilier to compensate. Not good! Instead of fighting what comes naturally, now, I simply splash water on my face and pat dry. For me this gets my face clean without stripping it dry. Once in a while l oil cleanse (apply oil, apply warm, damp washcloth, exfoliate with the washcloth, and pat dry). I have found that my skin is much more even-looking and even-toned, and is certainly not as dry as it used to be—plus I save money and time too!
2. Get a little sun
Certainly don’t over do it, but exposing some skin and absorbing a few rays will cause your body to produce Vitamin D—the natural way! This form of Vitamin D is more bioavailable than the Vitamin D that comes from supplements. When the weather is nice, I try to get outside for 20 to 30 minutes a few times per week exposing my arms and legs if I can. It is well known that many people see a reduction in acne breakouts if they get a little sun. Of course, if I am going to be in the sun for a longer period of time, I use sun protection, preferably a natural sun screen containing zinc oxide so that I am protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
For more about preventing sunburn naturally, check out this post.
3. Collagen
Many expensive skin creams contain collagen, and it’s true—collagen is an essential building block that is essential for healthy skin. But did you know that collagen CANNOT be absorbed by your skin? Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin, making it pretty much a waste to apply collagen topically.
There is a way to get collagen, however. EAT IT! Eating gelatin (collagen protein) is a great way to support healthy skin. Gelatin also is beneficial for hair, nails, and joints. My skin looks much better, plus my hair and nails are growing faster now that I have been consuming more collagen. There are tons of recipes online for healthy gelatin gummies (stay away from the popular, brightly-colored, artificial flavored brands). Collagen-rich bone broth is also a great option with recipes all over as well. For best quality, I recommend gelatin that is made from grass-fed cows like this one or this one. Collagen Hydrolosate (or collagen peptides) is also a great option when you don’t want your product to gel. This is just gelatin that has been heat processed to make it not form a gel, making it ideal for adding to smoothies or coffee. This tasteless powder can be blended into hot or cold beverages or smoothies. Your skin will thank you (and so will your hair and nails)!
4. Hydrate +
Drink water! We’ve heard this one forever. That’s because dehydrated skin can look dull, and fine lines and wrinkles can appear more pronounced. Proper hydration can “plump” your skin and make it look healthy with fewer creases. Ideally drink water between meals (too much water with meals can slow down digestion). Upgrade your water consumption by adding some lemon juice or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water first thing in the morning to kick start your hydration and your digestion (good digestion is good for everything, including your skin!).
5. Spice it up!
Ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric are great for healthy skin. They also help reduce inflammation in your body, so these spices are a win-win! I like to whisk them into tea (black, green, rooibos, chamomile, or honeybush, to name a few) with little honey and coconut milk for a hot power drink. Ceylon cinnamon tastes great in coffee. Better yet, add some wonderful collagen peptides and blend with an immersion blender for a frothy treat!
These are just a few of my easy favorites when it comes to caring for my skin. These tips are fairly universal, but what works for me, may not work for everyone. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these and how it worked out!
Don’t forget about nutrition!
This can take some time to figure out, and can be tricky to figure out, so I couldn’t hardly include it in my top 5 easy skincare tips!
So many of us believe that our skin is only affected by what we put on it, but what we put in our bodies makes a big difference. If you think about it, our skin is exposed not only to our external environment, but also internally to our body, which means that what we put in our bodies can directly affect our skin (positively and negatively). Allergies or sensitivities to foods can sometimes cause skin problems like eczema, dermatitis, uneven skin tone, or acne. Common culprits include tomatoes, citrus fruits, wheat (gluten), and dairy. Many have seen skin problems improve after eliminating problem foods from their diet. Consuming more healthy fats like grass-fed butter, avocado, coconut, and olive oils is great for your body, and in turn, great for your skin.
I hope you’ll try some of these tips for healthier skin. It can take a month or two to notice positive results, but it’s worth it!
Related Posts:
Natural Ways to Prevent Sunburn
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All content on CindyHilliard.com is for information purposes only and is not to be used in place of medical advice or treatment. Always seek the care of a medical professional if you have health concerns.
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