Many dream of attaining a glowing complexion. Few know that many of our daily decisions affect the glow of our skin. Everything from what we eat, to how much we sleep and exercise can affect the radiance of our skin. We have gathered advice from experts to get the glow Collegiettes desire just in time for Spring Break.
1. Keep your skin regimen simple.
Using more products doesn’t necessarily mean better skin. In fact, many recommend using fewer products and sticking to one family of skin-care products. Many skin-care products contain the same ingredients or ingredients that may counteract one another. To figure out what products work well together would potentially require a large investment of both time and money. So if you are going outside of one family, be sure to do your research.
2. Eat Vitamin C rich foods.
Vitamin C when eaten with amino acids promotes collagen growth that aids skin firmness and strength. It is also an antioxidant, which prevents damaged caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that may damage collagen and can cause dryness in the skin. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and kiwis.
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3. Take shorter, cooler showers.
Most anyone can enjoy a good long hot shower, however these cleansing sagas are harmful for your skin. Applying hot water for long periods of time will strip your skin of protective oils and cause dehydration. For more moisturized, protected skin stick to shorter, cooler showers.
4. Eat anti-inflammatory foods.
Certain foods may have inflammatory effects on skin. These foods include high-glycemic carbohydrates such as rice, white bread, cookies, soda and white potatoes. Instead of these options consume foods with fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Look for foods that contain fatty acids such as Omega-3. Good options are olive oil, wild salmon, egg whites, walnuts, avocadoes, and almonds.
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5. Get enough sleep
Sleep, among many other beneficial qualities, promotes the natural secretion of human growth hormone, which promotes cell turnover and collagen production. This will keep your firm and strong. Most doctors recommend getting 8-10 hours in per night.
6. Eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidant rich foods fight the inflammation in skin caused by free radicals released when your body breaks down food or from irritants in the air. Another notable threat of free radicals is the breaking down of collagen, which keeps skin firm and strong. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can prevent the degrading of collagen. Examples of antioxidant rich foods include spinach, blueberries, and most black and green teas.
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7. Exercise Regularly.
Collegiettes may be wondering how exercise can benefit your skin, it seems like exercise would have only adverse effects on skin because of chaffing and sweating. Au contraire Collegiettes, sweating actually rids the skin of harmful toxins. In addition, it increased blood flow to your skin, which can promote a healthy glow.
8. Moisturize your face daily.
Dehydrated skin is one of the top ways to stifle skin from achieving a radiant glow. The simplest and quickest method to fight against dryness is to use a facial moisturizer daily. Most people should even switch their moisturizers every season as the weather goes from moisture-laden to dry; as during the drier months a heavier moisturizer should be used. Good moisturizers can be purchased at the drug store. Look for moisturizers that contain AHAs, stearic acid, emollient ceramides and cholesterol. These ingredients in addition to hydrating skin will speed up skin cell rejuvenation.
Sources: Fashionspot.com, Health.howstuffworks.com, Fitnessmagazine.com, http://www.nbcnews.com/, http://www.webmd.com/healthy-b…, rd.com, realsimple.com, and www.shapeyourface.com.
Images Courtesy of: sociogob.com, soberup.com, myhealthybuddy.com, 4.bp.blogspot.com, and areyouhealthy.files.wordpress.com.