Having a perfect complexion is a dream come true for many
people. Many try all kinds of regimens and have read almost every magazine and
blog post about the secrets of perfect skin, but have never gotten any closer to
that. This is despite drinking lots of water, putting on sunscreen, and
removing makeup just before bed. Although most people (myself included) follow some
of these tips to the letter, they still suffer from dryness, sensitivity, acne,
and breakouts.
Taking proper care of your skin, following the right dieting
regimen, and exercising regularly can, however, help you have smooth and
radiant skin. The key to a perfect
complexion lies with how well you take care of your skin, among other things. You only need to make it a habit of caring
for it to experience many of the remarkable benefits. You will even never have
to worry about premature aging, dry skin, or acne breakouts. Outlined below are the top 10 skincare
solutions for that perfect complexion, courtesy of Kate
Somerville.
1. Apply
Sunscreen Daily
Kate advises against leaving your skin exposed to direct
sunlight for too long. Most skin-related conditions are caused by prolonged
exposure to sun rays and UV rays. UV
radiation affects the skin by causing skin cells to degrade while affecting how
well the body produces elastin and collagen. With the body unable to produce
enough elastin and collagen, your skin starts getting wrinkles, stretch marks,
and is even vulnerable to breakouts.
Applying some sunscreen each time you head out, however, protects you from these harmful rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen with at least
30 SPF for the best results. Don't just use sunscreen when headed to the beach
or in summer; do this every day, which includes deep into winter when the sun
doesn't seem to appear. UV rays penetrate even the darkest clouds. This will
also help you avoid freckles and other pigmentation. However, if you are
heavily pigmented then try http://www.dore.sg/pigment-removal/
2. Use The
Right Skin Care Products
Get to know your skin type first before using any skin care
or beauty product. Is your skin dry,
oily, or a combination of the two? If determining your skin type seems too
much, you can then seek the services of a dermatologist for help. According to
Kate, the dermatologist should be able to identify your skin type, as well as
any other blemish you may have. For instance, some people may have an oily
forehead with dry cheeks. In this instance, you will be required to use two
different products to achieve the best results. Proper hydration is the key to
a perfect complexion, she says.
3. Exfoliate
You should exfoliate at least two times in a week. It is by
exfoliating that you get to remove dead skin, excess oil, and dirt that may be
keeping the pores clogged. Individuals under the age of 30 should exfoliate at
least twice per week while those older need to exfoliate 3 or 4 times depending
on the need. One of the main advantages of exfoliation (besides removing dead
skin cells) is it also helps stimulate increased blood flow to the skin.
According to Kate, the best exfoliation formula is made of
fruit enzymes and gentle to the skin. You need to stay away from products with
sharp seeds, and nuts, for these do bruise or damage the skin. Natural
enzyme-based exfoliating formulates work by dissolving the dead skin thus
making it relatively easy to remove efficiently. She also recommends
exfoliating with steam, as steam helps keep the skin warm and well moisturized.
ExfoliKate is one of the products she recommends.
4. Work On Your
Neck Too
The neck needs to be taken care of properly as well. The
same elements that affect your face affect it as well. It would therefore be
advisable to use the same products you use on your face on the neck as well.
This includes the moisturizer, sunscreen, and massage. Be sure to massage the
neck using an upward motion to create a lifting effect. Remember to moisturize
every day just before going to bed and after waking up.
5. Use Filtered
Water
Drinking plenty of water is a sure way to ensure skin cells
are properly hydrated. While this is essential, you may want to know what
impurities or chemicals your drinking water contains. Although the local water
supply may claim it is fit for human consumption, Kate recommends taking the
extra step to filter the water as well. A home water filtration system should
make the work much easier, and is affordable too. Asking your water supplier for data about
contents in your water could be helpful as well. Nevertheless, adding a home
purifier or filtration system should help remove certain impurities and metals.
Some chemical and toxic materials may, however, be hard to filter out.
6. Be Careful
With Coffee, Alcohol, and Dairy Intake
Although some foods may seem healthy, they may be the reason
you have acne breakouts or any other skin condition. Dairy products, for
instance, can trigger or worsen acne. Heavy coffee intake, on the other hand,
could dehydrate the skin leaving it vulnerable to stretch marks. Alcohol, on
the other hand, causes aging over time, hence should be taken with caution. To
be on the safe side, consider going for red wine (rich in resveratrol) as it
combats aging signs, as well as reduce coffee intake to just two cups per day.
7. Take Vitamin
Supplements
Vitamin supplements are essentially needed for proper skin
cell development and a smoother skin. Some of the supplements you need to focus
on include:
a. Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is essentially needed to facilitate skin repair, as well as reinforce
cell membranes and tissues. This
protects skin cells against viruses and bacteria. Vitamin A also helps prevent
skin wrinkles, flaky and dry skin, and acne.
b. Calcium:
Calcium is needed for proper cell development and good health. It also helps
reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging signs.
c. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is largely needed for the formation of collagen. Collagen is the main
compound responsible for skin elasticity and tissue recovery. It also helps
fight free radicals.
d. Flaxseed and
fish oil supplements: These are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega
fatty acids are needed to promote cell hydration and enable cells to hold on to
moisture. These work together with hyaluronic acids for a smoother skin and
even complexion.
8. Double
Cleanse
Makeup is only meant to mask some of the skin blemishes you
might have. This, however, doesn't mean you should sleep in your makeup. Make
it a point to remove makeup the first thing before going to bed. You'll also
need to do a double cleanse and especially if had applied heavy makeup. Double
cleansing ensures all the dust and impurities are removed entirely.
9. Pop That
Pimple Properly
While you shouldn't pop a pimple open, you'll need to pop
it correctly if you have/need to. You'll need the right supplies to get this
done. First, you will need a cleanser, exfoliator, cotton swabs or tissue,
washcloth, Neosporin, and witch hazel.
The procedure involves first cleaning the area, exfoliating, then
squeezing blackheads gently with cotton swabs. You can then move to whiteheads
gently to remove the blemish underneath it.
Squeeze the base of the blemish to get rid of the infection.
10. Get Facials
Regularly
Just because you have the right skin care products and
routine at home doesn't mean you are doing everything right. You need to seek
the services of a competent aesthetician once in a while. Getting facials regularly will help address
areas and issues you probably cannot handle correctly. According to Kate, one
should get a facial at least once in 6 weeks.
You may need to get facials more often if you have a blemish, such as an
acne infection. Seeing a dermatologist
to help treat a particular skin condition would also be recommended before
getting the facials.
