Constantly having flare ups and blemishes ? I totally understand, that used to be me too!
One of the most annoying things to experience is having a flare up in your skin right before a big event. We’ve all been there before, but I’m here to provide you with a few tips that can decrease this from happening. I wish I knew about these tips when I was younger, so I could have eliminated bad habits that increased my acne. Now, I’m able to relax and enjoy social functions more knowing I don’t have a plus one zit sitting right on top of my forehead. Well, don’t get me wrong we all have acne from time to time no matter how great our skincare regime is.
This article is to help guide you to being proactive with your skincare. Instead of reactive to a skin nightmare. You can practice these preventative measures and incorporate them within your daily routine. For your next big event, we want you to be ready with flawless skin.
Here’s a few simple ways to improve your skin:
1. Daily morning & night routine
1. Daily morning & night routine
“You don’t want to start an entire routine for your skin with products that do more damage than good.”
A daily morning and night routine is essential. Every day you need to cleanse your skin to remove dirt and excess oils in order to avoid breakouts, dehydration and premature aging. This was something I used to neglect when I was growing up. I never had a skin care routine, I would just wash my face with soap every time i showered. Then I would wipe my face every morning with a wash rag and water to get the crusties out of my eyes before school. Bar soap was the only thing I used and any lotion I could find to add moisture back into it.
I didn’t truly understand the importance of a daily morning and night skin care routine until I started wearing makeup at age 25. Yes, you read that correctly, I didn’t start wearing makeup until I was 25, because I was confident in my skin that I didn’t think I needed anything else. I remember my mom always telling me your beautiful just the way you are, and I ran with it. Literally, I remember telling all of my friends and other girls at school on several occasions, that they don’t need makeup and they should learn to love themselves for who they really are.
Fast forward to now, the version of me that adds a bold lip and a subtle smokey eye before I step out on the scene. Still just as confident in my own skin, I learned adding a little pizzazz was okay. I’m allowed to enhance my feminine features yet, still love my natural look. While, I’m still confident with a bare face, my desire to become a model and create better content inspired me to step into the world of beauty, skincare and makeup.
The key to a good skin care routine is finding the best products that work for you. Your skin care routine would be pointless if the products you’re using don’t work good for your skin. So before you establish a set routine, i would suggest doing research and reading reviews on products before you buy. Then go buy the products you’ve narrowed down and see if they work for your skin. You don’t want to start an entire routine for your skin with products that do more damage than good.
If you’re looking to try new products and don’t want to waste your own money to test several brands. You can check out my product and beauty hack reviews on TikTok. In addition, my instagram focuses on skin care tips and terminology that would be a benefit to those of you who are trying to figure out what’s actually going on. Trust me, I know the feeling of walking into Sephora, Ulta, or even the drug store beauty section and not having a clue what I’m looking at. Not knowing why every bottle has the word cleanser, the difference between alcohol based, glycerin or water based toners, or even if I needed to buy micellar water when I have water coming through the faucet at home.
Day Time Routine
Your day time skin care routine is important because you want to start your day off fresh in every sense of the word. If you look good you feel good but, who feels good walking around with a dirty face? If you’re wondering if you’re walking around with the dirty face, the chances are yes if you’re asking yourself that question. Nine times out of ten, you did not wash your face this morning.
It’s okay because I know after you read this article you’re going to have your routine down pact. It’s important to remember less is more always. Over time as you get more into skin care and learn more about the products, what they do, and get to know your skin you can definitely add more steps to your routine. However to start off we’re going to keep it simple with these four essentials:
Cleanser
Toner
Moisturizer or Day Cream
SPF
In terms of budget you can spend as much as your budget allows from a $50 morning routine to a $100 plus. It all depends on the products and brands you choose from.
Night Time Routine
Having a night skin care routine helps your skin during its restoration process. This routine focuses on cleansing and hydrating your skin to get rid of all impurities and create a fresh canvas for your skin cells to work on.
For your night time routine we have:
Cleanser
Toner
Spot Treatment
Serum
Eye Cream
Moisturizer, Night Cream or Face Oil
In terms of budget you can spend as much as your budget allows from a $50 morning routine to a $100 plus. It all depends on the products and brands you choose from.
2. Healthy Eating Habits
You are what you eat. Certain foods can cause a flare up in blemishes and acne. Even though more research is needed, research suggests the diet may play a role in the development of acne. A person can reduce or prevent acne breakouts by consuming more omega-3 fatty acids, fewer dairy products, and fewer foods with a high glycemic index.You need to monitor and watch out for the foods that cause a reaction to your skin. For me I know chocolate, sweets, stress, and smoking, cause flareups on my skin. So I make an intention to either avoid or limit these foods and activities in order to keep my skin flawless.
Foods To Eat
Here are a recommended list of foods known to attribute to glowing healthy skin that i recommend you give a try.
Almonds
Avocado
Eggs
Flaxseeds
Grass-fed beef
Kale
Mustard seeds
Navy beans
Salmon
Sardines
Soybeans
Spinach
Tofu
Walnuts
Wild rice
Vitamin A
In skincare products, vitamin A often appears as its alter ego, retinol. We should also consume this vitamin regularly as part of our diet.
As an antioxidant, vitamin A is great for combating environmental damage and free radicals, our skin's arch-nemesis.
Luckily, you can get all the vitamin A you need through foods like:
Apricot
Beef liver
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Eggs
Kale
Mango
Oranges
Papaya
Red bell peppers
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Tangerine
Watermelon
Yellow bell peppers
Vitamin C
Probably the most celebrated vitamin of them all, vitamin C isn't just good for fighting colds.
Vitamin C is excellent for your skin, it aids in repairing skin dryness, heals wounds, can minimize scars, and reduce wrinkles. It also plays a vital role in the production of collagen. Collagen helps keep your skin looking youthful.
Best of all, vitamin C is easy to include in your diet, as its present in many popular foods.
Cauliflower
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Lemon
Oranges
Papaya
Pomegranate
Red bell pepper
Strawberries
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Yellow bell pepper
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps manage inflammation and skin cell turnover. Inflammation and overproduction of cells contribute to breakouts for those of us that suffer from acne.
You can absorb vitamin D through the following foods:
Beef liver
Cod (esp. Cod liver oil)
Herring
Maitake mushrooms
Salmon
Sardines
Shiitake mushrooms
Swordfish
Tuna
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a great nutrient for your skin. Vitamin E can also help with inflammation, such as the swelling of puffy under-eye circles or red acne.
You can find Vitamin E in foods like:
Almonds
Avocados (and avocado oil)
Butternut squash
Extra virgin olive oil (especially cold-pressed)
Grapeseed oil
Peanuts
Safflower oil
Spinach
Sunflower Seeds
Swiss chard
Trout
While most of the necessary vitamins that assist with skin health can be found in your everyday foods. You now have a list to refer to, so you can intentionally eat for your skin.
Omega-3 fatty acids are referred to as “essential fats.” The anti-inflammatory properties of the Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce puffiness and redness in the skin. This is beneficial for those of us with acne, since acne is an inflammatory condition. Essentially reducing the duration and severity of breakouts.Since our bodies don’t produce omega-3 fats on their own, including omega-rich foods in your diet is extra important.
For a list of other beneficial foods for healthy skin care stay tuned for next weeks article.
Foods To Avoid
The following foods should be avoided, based on a 2016 study.
dairy products [milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt]
foods with a high glycemic index (GI) and a high glycemic load (GL)
Blood sugar levels are measured by measuring the GI, which determines how quickly and how high foods can raise them
Foods with different GIs and portion sizes can be compared by measuring GL.
GL = GI x the amount of carbohydrates per portion (in grams) / 100
As a general rule processed foods tend to have a higher GIs and GLs.
breads, especially white bread and bagels
enriched pastas, such as rice-based pasta
instant cereals, such as oatmeal and grits
short grain white rice
snack foods, such as pretzels, rice cakes, and popcorn
some fruits and vegetables, including melons, pineapples, pumpkins, and potatoes
sweetened breakfast cereals, such as those with corn flakes, puffed rice, and bran flakes
eating chocolate
May also worsen symptoms of acne. This effect is likely the result of chocolate’s high sugar contents.
While I can list the most common foods known to cause flare ups in your skin. Please remember you will have to eat these foods and figure out what causes flare ups for you. There is no one all fits all method, this section is catered to the individual.
3. Water !
“Major Key !”
Water water and more water ! Water is the most underrated attribute to having clear skin.
Water helps you from the inside out. Staying properly hydrated is essential for your overall health. Drinking water plays an important role in both your digestion circulation and your skin’s health and beauty.
Drinking water is one of the easiest beauty regimens you can do, that can help improve your skin.
A Few Ways Water Can Benefit The Health Of Your Skin
Fewer wrinkles
Water helps your skin maintain moisture which increases elasticity. The more elastic your skin is, the fewer wrinkles you’ll see.
Improved complexion
Drinking water increases your blood flow to the skin which can improve your complexion making it healthy and glowing. Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema can also improve with your increase in water intake.
Reduced Puffiness
Puffiness can be caused by swelling due to our body retaining water because we’re dehydrated. To reduce puffiness, swelling and smooth out your skin, make sure you’re drinking enough water.
Faster Healing
Drinking more water can help speed up the healing process if you have sunburn.
Clear acne
Drinking water can help flush toxins from the skin and shrink your pores, making them less likely to clog and cause a zit.
Slows aging
Drinking enough water can help keep your skin plumper, which can slow the aging process.
Smaller Pores
Drinking water can help reduce your pore size, decrease acne breakouts, and reduce blemishes.
Reduced Itchiness
Your skin is less likely to crack flake and itch when you’re hyrdated.
Tighter skin
Drinking water helps improve skin elasticity, making it bounce back from sagging.
pH balance
Drinking more water can help balance your pH level to give you healthy skin.
Water And Your Skin
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, that’s mostly made up of water. Without water your skin can’t function, and it might become dry, tight, and flaky. In addition to becoming more prone to aging. Everyday we lose large quantities of water and our skin can suffer the consequences if we don’t replenish. It’s easy to see the visible difference that hydration can make for your skin. Don’t believe me? Try drinking more water for yourself and let me know your results!
Final Thoughts
This article gives you 3 secrets to having flawless skin, from establishing a daily skin care routine, to your eating habits, to drinking lots of water. I hope you begin to implement these tips into your daily lives, and see how your skin transforms to healthy.
Everything takes time, so when you implement these steps give your body time to adjust to your new healthy habits. Comment below your favorite skin routine and tips you use to maintain your flawless skin. Oh, and don’t forget to share these tips with a friend!
Head to my website or social media and let me know how my skin routine tips are working for you!
Article by: Mahogany
Hey! I’m Mahogany and I'm here to inspire you to love your skin. From product reviews, to tips, to beauty hacks. My blog is all about providing you with useful information and advice as we continue on our self care, skin care journey.