The pursuit of healthy, radiant looking skin is something that most of us can relate to, but thanks to environmental stressors, poor diets and an insufficient skincare regime, many are falling short of what’s required to achieve that elusive glow.
It isn’t just what you put on your skin itself that counts, but also what’s happening inside your body – and, with the right balance of internal and external care, your skin can look and feel more youthful even in the face of aging.
A healthy-looking complexion that lasts can be achieved by making the most subtle changes to your lifestyle – starting with a simple and regular morning and night-time skincare routine, eating a balanced diet packed with skin-friendly nutrients, increasing your water intake throughout the day to boost hydration, and managing your stress levels.
We went below the surface of some of the most important lifestyle changes for healthier skin with the experts at Manchester aesthetics clinic The Medika Clinic – arguably one of the very best aesthetic clinic in Manchester – to uncover the latest tips and treatments available for those who require further skin TLC.
Sun too soon
Before entering an environment where sunlight is direct or intense, consider the harm it could do to your skin if exposed without protection. Over years of heavy exposure to the sun, any good dermatologist would advise that this tends to be the main cause of wrinkles, age spots and skin pigmentation, not to mention increased risk of various skin cancers.
It’s best practice to always carry a sunscreen with an SPF no lower than 15 to effectively create a barrier between your skin’s surface and the strong rays of the sun – not just in the hotter summer months, but all year round. Choose one that is designed especially for your face and apply each morning.
In the summer, if you’ll be spending long periods of time outdoors then apply liberally at regular intervals, and don’t hesitate to look for a shaded corner when the sun is at its highest.
Use light clothing to ensure all sensitive areas of skin, including your shoulders, arms and back, are fully covered from the heat of the sun – but bear in mind that the sun’s rays can still penetrate and cause skin damage, so this isn’t an excuse to skip the sunscreen. If you find yourself on the move, be sure to pack a cap, sun hat or lightweight jacket to protect your skin as you venture from place to place.
Ditch the cigarettes
The harmful effects of smoking are not just internal. They also affect your complexion by restricting blood flow to the surface layers of the skin, making you look tired and pale. The toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke also restrict your absorption of the vital nutrients that the skin needs to look rejuvenated after rest and relaxation.
If you smoke regularly, you will also find that your skin loses collagen and elastin, which give skin its plump, youthful appearance, more rapidly, making you look older and drawn. Not only that, but the facial movements that occur when inhaling or exhaling smoke, which particularly affect the areas around the mouth and the eyes, will cause deep wrinkles to develop over time.
All in all, it really is a lose-lose, and quitting is by far your best option.
Treat your skin with care
Daily skin maintenance is a positive contributor to better skin – however, sometimes our skincare routines can become an obsession that goes too far and leaves skin feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with the abundance of lotions and potions being applied to it.
An effective skincare routine is based around products that contain mostly natural ingredients (or at the very least, are devoid of harsh chemicals) and should be applied morning and evening. You should include a cleanser, toner and light moisturiser, as well as a good quality anti-aging eye cream.
A good skincare routine will ensure that you’re keeping in the oils that benefit your skin’s health but removing any dirt that clogs it up and causes breakouts. Dermatologists recommend avoiding long hot baths, as they steam out many of the oils your skin needs to look rejuvenated.
Daily moisturising is imperative, particularly for those living in environments with poor or low air quality. A good moisturiser will also protect against the sun’s rays and the harsh effects of pollution.
Skin health from the inside
It’s true what the medical professionals say; skin health really does start from the inside out – and making sure your diet contains the optimum levels of vitamins and nutrients to nourish yours is the best way to combat signs of aging, acne and other skin pigmentations which alter your complexion.
Scientific research indicates that ideally, your diet should be rich in fish oil and antioxidant-packed fruits and vegetables, and low in simple sugars. Increasing your water intake will also enhance your skin’s glow and fight off acne and the early signs of aging.
Manage stress
Life isn’t always easy, but finding a method of relaxation that works for you will positively benefit your skin as well as your mind, especially if you’re prone to stress induced acne breakouts.
Some ways to combat the signs of stress becoming evident on your skin is to ensure you’re getting plenty of sleep, drinking enough water throughout the day and analysing your to-do list to ensure you’re not overworking yourself into a stress breakout. A simple yet effective method for better skin health and appearance.
Call in the professionals
If all else fails, you can always contact a trusted aesthetics clinic like The Medika Clinic – prover of the best anti-wrinkle treatment in Manchester – and seek advice from licensed doctors and therapists. A specialist aesthetics clinic will be able to advise you of the best skin treatments now available and suggest what might work for you.
