Have you ever set New Year's Resolutions for your skin? If not, why not do it this time? Achieving better skin needs intentional effort and setting goals is the first helpful step.
If you're overwhelmed about where to begin, we have some tips for you.
RESOLUTIONS SPECIFIC TO YOUR NEEDS
Bear in mind, though, that not all skin is the same. You need to have goals tailored to your skin type and skin needs.
For Oily Skin:
1. Cleanse your face before working out. When you exercise, sweat mixes with makeup and can clog your pores. Washing your face beforehand helps to avoid post-workout breakouts.
2. Wash your pillowcases regularly. As we sleep, impurities and oils from the skin transfer onto the pillowcase. When these come into contact with the skin, it leads to breakouts.
3. Avoid touching your face. Our fingers produce sebum and pick up grime from things we touch. These can transfer onto our pores, causing breakouts.
4. Reduce your dairy, sugar, junk food, alcohol, and red meat intake. Such foods increase the risk of clogged pores.
5. Drink more water. Water hydrates the skin cells and keeps them plump.
6. Indoor plants in your home and office. Plants help cut down on pollutants that contaminate our skin.
7. Practice one stress-relieving activity each day. Stress wears out the skin and worsens breakouts. Release tension by doing yoga, exercise, taking walks, meditation, hanging out with a friend, or whatever activity you enjoy.
8. More anti-oily skin foods. These include walnuts, green tea, probiotics, flaxseed, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
9. Moisturize carefully. Oily skin also needs moisture, but you need natural oil-based products that balance out your oils. Such products ensure the skin isn't dry or shiny.
10. Exfoliate regularly. A few times a week should suffice, depending on your skin's condition.
For dry or mature skin:
1. Avoid harsh cleansers that contain sulfates, alcohols, and other harsh synthetic ingredients that dry out your skin. Instead, go for gentle moisturizing cleansers.
2. Use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water feels awesome during cold seasons, but it strips the skin of natural moisturizing oils, causing dryness.
3. Use a humidifier. If your skin tends to dry out overnight, increase the humidity level in your bedroom, and watch it flourish.
4. Consume fatty acids. Foods high in these acids help you moisturize from the inside out. They include flaxseed, fatty fish, walnuts, and supplements.
5. In addition to moisturizing, hydrate. To help your skin retain moisture, use a hydrating product, like an aloe vera-based serum.
6. Choose a moisturizer with added benefits. These moisturizers have additional seed oils rich in antioxidants, such as sacha inchi and chia seed. Facial oils like coconut oil, jojoba, or avocado oil are excellent for such skin.
7. Exfoliate regularly. Use gentle exfoliants 2-3 times a week to keep your youthful glow going.
8. More facial masks. Choose hydrating masks as these are soothing to dry and mature skin.
9. Helping your skin using serums, antioxidants, vitamin C, and essential oils that firm and tighten the skin.
10. Protect. Apart from sunscreen, wear hats and scarves to protect your skin from harsh weather.
For combination skin:
1. Use cleansers with natural ingredients. Cleansers with synthetic ingredients cause dry areas to become dryer, and oily areas become oilier.
2. Be gentle. Avoid abrasive scrubs and go for gentler products instead. Also, use milder strokes on your skin.
3. Find a balancing toner. Use a toner that soothes the dry areas and balances oil spots.
4. Split moisturizing. If you wake up feeling dry, it might mean that you need less moisture during the day, but more at night. Use a creamier moisturizer at night and a lighter one in the morning.
5. Reduce your coffee and alcohol intake. These drinks dry out the skin, making it produce more sebum.
6. Take breaks from makeup once in a while. Give your skin a chance to breathe at least once a week.
7. Exfoliate regularly. Use an exfoliating product with fruit acids and other natural ingredients to avoid irritating the skin.
8. Drink up. If drinking water is a challenge, try adding fruit. Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, add a pleasant taste to your water and help you hydrate from the inside out.
9. Honey. This ingredient is an excellent humectant, meaning it hydrates without making you oily.
10. Eat more healthy foods such as green tea, fruits, and dark green leafy veggies.
For sensitive skin:
1. Avoid triggers. Whatever causes your skin to react, avoid. This includes fragrances, detergents, dry skin, bad weather, and certain fabrics.
2. Increase your protection. This means more sunscreen, scarves, hats, and other measures that will help protect your skin from the elements.
3. Fewer toxins. Throw out anything from your home that has harmful ingredients. Harsh skin cleansers, chemical-filled laundry items, and household cleaners all must go. Swap them for all-natural products.
4. More cleaning. Sensitive skin hates dirt. Ensure you clean your pillowcases, makeup brushes, washcloth, and hands more often.
5. Check the shower. Get a water filter for the showerhead to remove toxic chemicals that harm the skin.
6. Eat more skin-healthy foods. Fresh fruits and veggies, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and fresh herbs like ginger, turmeric, and sage.
7. Go alcohol-free. Alcohol dries out the skin.
8. Find a calming moisturizer. Look products with ingredients that soothe, such as calendula and lavender.
9. Gentle exfoliation. Manual exfoliating is harsh on sensitive skin. Opt for gentle ingredients like raw honey or oatmeal.
10. Indulge more often. Sensitive skin needs extra love, so don't feel guilty about pampering yourself at least once a week. Nourishing masks with ingredients like yogurt, honey, tea, and strawberries will work wonders for your skin.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Beauty Team