It may be our largest organ, but our skin is something we often forget to take care of. It’s important to make skincare a part of our routine, so here are five easy skincare tips to incorporate into yours.
1. Wear sunscreen every day – rain or shine
“In addition to causing sunburn and skin cancer, long-term effects of unprotected sun exposure include wrinkling, discoloration, and uneven skin texture,” says Dr. Toral Patel, a Chicago-based dermatologist. “Look for a sunscreen that is broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays […] with SPF 30-50.”
2. Cleansing
“Always wash your face before going to bed; the skin heals itself at night, so it helps to remove not only makeup but environmental irritants and pollutants from the skin before you sleep,” Patel says.
Julia Teren, founder of Thesis Beauty, recommends daily gentle cleansing, followed by moisturizing.
“Cleaning helps remove all the dirt that may cause infections, breakouts and pore clogging. It's also a necessary prep for the next step - moisturizing - because clean skin absorbs your moisturizer better, which makes it more effective. Moisturizers these days have a lot of different functions, but it's most important to nourish, restore and protect the skin.”
Teren also recommends exfoliating once or twice a week to help remove dead skin cells – just make sure you’re not using a product that’s too abrasive. Gentle is key for happy, healthy skin.
3. Eat colourful and leafy fruits and vegetables
Their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds help keep our skin healthy from the inside out, Patel explains.
4. Hydrate
“Keep yourself hydrated – always,” Teren says. “Your skin loses a lot of moisture during the day – you can start feeling your lips getting dry and the same happens to the rest of your skin. So you need to replenish it before you even start feeling thirsty.”
5. See a dermatologist once a year for a skin cancer screening – sooner if you have any new or changing spots
“Many skin cancers are treatable if caught early; Patel says. “Early detection is paramount.”