Top 5 Healthy Skin Tips

It’s not unusual that our busy lifestyles leave us little to no time to take care of our skin!  Most commonly the easiest tips can make a huge difference when talking about your skincare regimen.  These top 5 habits will keep your skin glowing with radiance:

1) No Sun is FUN

You can still have fun in the sun by using a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 15, wearing protective clothing which shields you from the suns intensive rays, or simply avoiding the sun during the most damaging hours (usually 10am to 4pm)

2) No SMOKING

I realize I am usually preaching to the choir on this one but smoking can harm more than your lungs!  Smoking actually accelerates the aging process and increases wrinkles.  I know this isn’t an easy one.. but hey who doesn’t want to look 10 years younger!

3) Be GENTLE

This is the one I commonly mess up.  I used to love to sit in the bath tub for long hours in scalding water.  Boy was I wrong!  Limit your bath and showers to 15 minutes or less and only use warm water, otherwise you will be removing all of the oils from your skin. Also, try and avoid strong soaps and remember to pat dry in order to leave some moisture in your skin.

4) Befriend MOISTURIZERS

They provide an extra seal over your skin!

5) Shave CAREFULLY

Another one most people mess up.  First, be sure to soften the hair by using a warm wash cloth or only shave after a bath or shower. Second, be sure to lubricate using a high quality shaving cream. Next, make sure to use a clean, sharp razor! Then shave in the direction of the hair growth, not against it! Lastly, be sure to rinse your skin with warm water and pat dry.

I know some may look at these tips and say wow that is all I have to do for healthy skin…. NO, but it is a sure fire start on the right path!  Keep your skin healthy and post your tips in the comments section below.

How Not To Get Skin Cancer

Teaching children good habits for being in the sun is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer for future generations.  Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are some of the best ways to promote good skin health with youth.  Many Dermatologists encourage parents to send there kids outside with a sunscreen containing nothing less than an SPF of 50.

Those who are fair-skinned and have freckles are usually at a much higher risk of getting skin cancer from the sun than those who are naturally darker-skinned.  Melanin is a pigment in skin that helps protect against UV radiation.  People with fair skin have less melanin, so they are more likely to freckle and burn.  This puts them at higher risk for skin cancer than their darker-skinner counterparts.  Those with many moles or a family history of skin cancer should talk to their doctor or dermatologist about regular skin cancer screenings.

It is also important to do regular exams on your kids and yourself.  Note the shape and size of any growing or new moles and see a doctor if you notice any change.  For more information on how to do a self skin cancer screening or what to look for during a self skin cancer screening, read Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer.

Studies show that children who use sunscreen develop fewer moles, which means it could decrease the risk of melanoma later in life.  Also, a history of five or moresevere sunburns before adolescence more than doubles the risk of developing melanoma as an adult.

Balancing an active life with avoiding the sun’s harmful rays may sound difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.  The American Cancer Society suggests this catch phrase: “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” – Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.

A hat with a 2″-3″ brim is best because it protects the neck, ears, forehead, nose and scalp.  Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming and sweating.  Use sunscreen even on hazy orovercast days, and pit it on about 20-30 minutes before you go outside.

How To Relieve Dry Skin In Winter

Dry skin can be a very common problem for many in the winter months.  Even for those who have normal to oily skin in the summer may find themselves with ashy, itchy skin December through February.  So why then do we maintain the same skincare regimen when our skin is obviously very different?  Don’t let your dry winter skin bother you, repair it today with a few changes to your daily routine.

Don’t Use Soap As Often. Hot, humid weather causes the oil glands to become over-productive, and that requires daily bathing in order to stay clean and fresh.  However, in the winter, oil glands are not as productive and we spend less time being active outdoors.  Therefore, depending upon each individual lifestyle, it may not be imperative to bathe daily with soap and exfoliating products.  Soap dries the skin, and exfoliating gels and loofahs will remove the dry skin, exposing new layers of the skin to the harsh elements, causing those to become dry, red, and itchy.

Eliminate Products Containing Alcohol. One of the best ways to keep your skin nourished and hydrated when the weather turns cold and brutal is to halt the use of all skin care products containing alcohol from your daily treatment.  Alcohol is a very harsh and drying product that can cause severe damage  the delicate skin of the face in Winter.  Only those with oily skin should consider using skin care products containing alcohol, and then, only in the spring and summer.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. The best way to help your skin battle the brutal elements of freezing temperatures and sub-zero winds is to keep it lubricated.  When the skin becomes dry, red, and itchy it is because it is craving moisture.  Moisture comes naturally, to some extent, in the hot, humid weather in spring and summer.  But winter will remove the moisture from your skin without even being exposed to the elements.  The air is so dry your skin cannot help but become prey.

Sleep With A Humidifier. It is impossible to keep humid air around you always in Winter.  However, when possible, bring the humid air to you.  Indulge yourself with a humidifyer.  If you do not have one you can achieve the same effects by boiling a pot of water on the stove.  Putting water vapor in the air will help keep your skin from becoming irritating.