It’s time we talk about it. Whether it’s due to PMS, stress, or just a bad skin day, everyone experiences breakouts. But how do you prevent and manage them? Read our ten tips on maintaining blemish free skin below.
Drink Water – Staying hydrated is everything. Not only does it keep you alive, it has countless beauty benefits. Drinking water gives your skin an extra glow and flushes toxins out of your body. These toxins can result in breakouts so it's crucial to drink water throughout the day. Try stepping your water game up with a freshly sliced lemon, cucumber, berries, or other fruits/vegetables. This will give your water an extra nutritional boost while also changing up the taste.
Balance your Hormones – Sometimes breakouts are hormonal and it may seem that this is totally out of your control. When PMS strikes, strike back by getting your hormones balanced. Do this by getting an adequate amount of sleep and exercise. A healthy diet also plays a big role in balancing your hormones.
Wash your Face – Yes, you’ve heard this a million times but are you doing it right? Wash your face before bed with warm water and the cleanser of your choice. Make sure that all the dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells are removed from your skin. Rinse your face off and pat dry with a clean towel. Using a clean paper towel to dry your face each time may also be helpful as it carries less bacteria than a normal towel. Do not go to bed without doing this fully and properly.
Manage Stress – Stress takes a nasty toll on our bodies and often comes through in our skin. Luckily stress can be managed and reduced through a variety of practices and activities. Next time you’re feeling stressed try doing yoga, taking a walk, listening to music, taking three deep breaths, reading a good book, meditating, writing in your journal, or taking a bath.
Detox – Removing toxins from your body will do wonders for your skin. You don’t need to do a 10-day juice cleanse or only drink water for a week. You can incorporate little ways to detox into your daily routine for big results. Ginger, lemon, cilantro, parsley, cucumber, and leafy greens are just some of the many detox foods you can add to your diet to start detoxing.
Take a Bath – Baths are also great for detoxing. A hot bath can reduce stress and toxins at the same time. Next time you go to take a bath, turn it into a detox experience by adding epsom salts and baking soda to your bath water.
Moisturize – Research shows that dry skin can lead to acne and breakouts. Applying a face moisturizer is key to flawless skin. This adds a layer of protection which will prevent dirt and bacteria from coming in contact with the skin.
Hands Off – Keeping your hands away from your face will help prevent breakouts from happening. Our hands are notorious for carrying and spreading dirt and bacteria. Though it can be hard to resist, avoid touching your face and always wash your hands prior to doing so.
Eat Right – Nutrition and health go hand in hand. Eating healthy foods will keep the body fueled and energized as well as the skin happy. Avoid foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and oils. Eat more complex carbs, fruits, vegetables, natural fat sources, and proteins.
Limit Makeup – Makeup can cover up your skin’s imperfections, but it can also cause or worsen them by clogging the pores. Don’t wear makeup to the gym or yoga class and always make sure to remove it prior to bed.