Top 5 Tips for Healthier Skin

Your skin is the largest organ your body has and plays an essential role in protecting your whole body. This means that taking care of your skin is a critical piece of your overall health. Caring for your skin doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, though – use these 5 tips to guard against common skin health issues and begin looking and feeling your best.

1. Protect Against Sun Exposure

Probably the most common skin health tip is to wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun, but this tip bears repeating. UV light from the sun is linked to many aesthetic and health issues involving your skin, from wrinkles and age spots to growths and even skin cancer.

To protect your skin and prevent these issues, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, reapply sunscreen regularly, and prevent intense exposure using sunhats, umbrellas, and other forms of protective sun clothing. Combining methods is even more effective – people who wear sunscreen and use a beach umbrella are far less likely to become sunburned at a beach.

2. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is essential for most aspects of your overall health, and that applies to your skin health as well. Staying hydrated means that your blood vessels won’t contract as much, leading to less wrinkly, healthier-looking skin. In addition, staying adequately hydrated, when combined with hydrating skincare products such as lotion, prevents dry skin.

Dry skin isn’t only itchy and uncomfortable, but it can also allow bacteria and fungi through your skin and into your body. This means that hydrated skin is essential to your overall health as well. In addition to lotion, keeping your showers short and warm (rather than hot) prevents water exposure from drying out your skin. A humidifier can also help chronically dry skin.

3. Limit What Touches Your Skin

When certain things touch your skin, especially in vulnerable areas like your mouth, eyes, and genital area, you can be exposed to viruses and bacteria that can cause further problems. Cold sores, for example, are caused by viruses infecting the skin around your lips, while viral and bacterial infections can cause rashes and acne on other areas of your body. To prevent these issues, limit what you allow in contact with your skin, especially in those vulnerable areas.

Don’t share drinks, silverware, or beauty products with other people. Don’t touch your face or eyes with your fingers, and don’t put dirty items near your eyes, nose, or mouth. Finally, don’t pick at or scratch acne, rashes, or cysts. Instead, talk to a medical professional to learn what you can do to lessen or eliminate many skin conditions you might have.

4. Use the Right Skin Care Products

The sheer number of skincare products available today is daunting, but there are specific ways you can determine what the right products are for you. Avoid abrasive or aggressive skincare products that over-work your skin and cause irritation and chapping. Know what kind of skin you have – dry, neutral, or oily – and look for products designed for your specific skin type.

Always do a spot test before going all-in on a skincare product – this will let you know if there’s any irritation or allergic reaction before using an effect on your entire face or body. Finally, pay attention to both user reviews – which can tell you of any potential issues – and what your own body is telling you. If a new skincare product is causing changes in your skin that you wouldn’t expect or feels uncomfortable with, stop using it.

5. Consider Getting a Water Softener

Hard water is one of those problems that many people choose to live with, but that can cause significant issues for your pipes, your kitchen implements, and your skin’s health. If you have hard water, its minerals can irritate your skin and cause it to dry out and become chapped. You should seriously consider getting a water softener to mitigate these issues if you have hard water. You can opt for either professional water softener installation or find a guide online to DIY it.