5 Habits of People with Great Skin

These days skincare routines have become more and more overwhelming with the vast amount of new product lines booming all over the country. Standing in front of endless shelves full of cleansers, moisturizers, and serums can be discouraging to most. We are here to help you get back to basics! You do not need cabinets full of expensive skincare products to have "great" skin. Starting good habits and sticking to a routine are the top two ways to promote even, glowing skin! With just five manageable habits, you can begin your journey to a brighter, smoother complexion.

1) Hydration

Hydration is KEY! 47% of Americans do NOT drink enough water! If you find your skin looking dull, dry, having wrinkles, and large pores, it is very likely that your daily water intake needs improvement. With appropriate water intake, you may begin to see fewer wrinkles, smaller pores, all while helping maintain your skins elasticity. Although this is a great place to start do not rely on water alone, a balanced skincare routine and proper water intake will reveal the best results! Remember, great things do not happen overnight. Allow 21 days (three weeks) of incorporating proper hydration to your routine to see results!

2. Balanced Skincare Routine

Many people tend to make acquiring a basic skincare routine harder on themselves than it should be! You do not have to spend hours in a store or break the bank to have a well-balanced skincare routine. Here's a tip: Cleanse, Treat, Moisturize. Sticking with these three steps will make your next shopping trip a breeze.

Cleanse: Look for a cleanser that is for your skin type. Your skin feel clean afterwards but not overly dry. You may need to change your cleanser depending on the Season.

Treat: A quality serum that targets your main skin concern should be used daily. If in doubt, most people can benefit from a Vita C serum, our favorite is Ann Webb's.

Moisturize: Choose one that protects in the daytime and one that repairs at night. You might need to change moisturizers with the Seasons as well.

** Cleansing your face daily is an integral part of having an ideal complexion. Removing all residue from your skin daily is KEY. Throughout the day the skin on your face is continually covered with bacteria, pollutants, viruses, dirt, and old (dead) skin cells. Daily facial washing removes these impurities to give the skin a fresh look. **

Good things come to those who wait! Sticking with a skincare routine is the BEST way to help reduce acne and even out your skin tone. With a daily established skincare regime, you can expect to see results in six to twelve weeks. Where many people go wrong is changing this routine too often. The only times you should be altering your routine is when transitioning to Summer or Winter seasons! See our Seasonal Skincare blog below for more tips on transitioning your routine from warmer to colder months!

3. Block Sun Damage

Sunscreen is the MOST important step in a skin care regime! UVA & UVB rays can be the extremely damaging to your skin cells. This damage is more likely to take place in your younger years when skincare has less significance. It then will inevitably show up on your skin in the form of wrinkles and dark spots as you begin to age. Excessive exposure of the skin to the sun rays can cause sunburns, skin cancer and premature aging. Do yourself a favor and invest in a sulfate free, broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. You can often find sunscreen in daily moisturizers, somewhat of a two in one to keep the product count down! This step will ensure a healthy aging process for your skin.

4. Diet & Exercise

Poor eating habits and low activity levels can often have a negative effect on your skin. We have all heard, "You are what you eat!" Diet and exercise improve your mind, your body, and your skin. Junk food, consumption of alcohol, processed foods, and sodium are all suspects when it comes to weight gain and an uneven complexion. Try incorporating blood sugar leveling foods, antioxidants, and lots of fiber into your diet. Moderate exercise can help relieve stress, increase blood flow, and open your pores to allow the bad toxin to leave your pores! Rember to start small, make a healthy choice when choosing a meal, take a walk, and taking some time to yourself to decrease stress levels in your life will have a positive effect on your skin in the long run.

5. Beauty Sleep

Although that is often said that sleep is very important for the body, it is also important for your skin! Did you know that while you sleep, your skin makes new collagen? Collagen has many skin firming benefits all while improving skin health. According to dermatologist, more collagen means skin is plumper and less likely to wrinkle. Only getting 5 hours a night can lead to twice as many fine lines as sleeping 7 hours a night would. Take care of yourself and take care of your skin! Six to eight hours of sleep is ideal for many adults.

I truly hope that these tips have helped you see that skincare does not have to be overwhelming. Sticking to these five manageble habits will lead you in the right direction to your ideal skincare goal! Here at Highlight Aesthetics, we aim to educate and help our clients reach any goal they have for their skin. Check out our website below to see all of the beauty services we provide.