Who doesn’t want flawless skin? For some people it seems to come naturally but others struggle to find the perfect skincare routine. There are so many different techniques people swear by, where do you start? Everyone’s skin is different. For some people, it’s naturally oily, whereas for others, it’s dry. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to obtaining the perfect complexion, but there are several tried and tested methods guaranteed to make a difference.

Avoid the sun

The sun can be one of the most damaging things for your skin. A lifetime of exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems, including an increased risk of cancer. This doesn’t mean you have to become a vampire, but there are some precautions you can take. Always use sunscreen when out in bright sunlight, and wear protective clothing like hats and long sleeves, particularly if you are prone to burning. Seek shade if you are outside for long periods at a time.

Stop smoking and drinking

Heavy drinkers and smokers often have skin problems. Smoking causes wrinkles, makes your skin look older, and narrows blood vessels, making you appear paler. It can also reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for healthy skin. Drinking alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it look puffy and bloated. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional glass of wine, but everything in moderation.

Hydrate

Everyone knows this, but drinking water is fantastic for the skin. One of the best ways to maintain a healthy complexion is to stay hydrated at all times. It extends your skin’s lifespan and prevents it from sagging and wrinkling. Experts recommend you drink eight glasses of water a day.

Eat healthily

Your diet and your skin are inextricably linked—a healthy diet leads to healthy skin, and vice versa. A diet full of oily, fatty foods will play havoc with your skin and lead to spots and imperfections, so avoid those unhealthy takeaways. A diet rich in omega-3 is highly beneficial for the skin’s ability to retain moisture, so add a lot of fish and nuts to your diet to reap the rewards.

Don’t overdo it

Using too many products on your skin can be counterproductive and actually make it worse. It is harsh on the skin and leads to clogged pores and spots.

Moisturise

Moisturizing twice a day will help keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. The best times are when you come out of the shower in the morning, and just before you go to bed at night. Different moisturizers are designed for specific skin types, so find one that’s right for you and won’t result in irritation. Avoid heavily-fragranced products for the same reason. 

Exfoliate

We lose millions of skin cells from our body every day, and exfoliating is a brilliant way of getting rid of these dead cells and showing off your beautiful, fresh skin. Avoid exfoliating too frequently, as this can be harmful to your skin. A couple of times a week is plenty. Don’t feel that you only need to exfoliate your face, either. Your whole body can benefit from a scrub down.

Clean your makeup brushes

Most people don’t even think of cleaning their makeup brushes, but they are one of the primary sources of bacteria in your house. Repeatedly using dirty makeup brushes can lead to infections and clogged pores. For frequently used brushes, you should rinse them in warm soapy water once a week and leave them to air dry.

Manage stress

Stress is a major catalyst for any physical or mental condition you can think of, so it’s no wonder that it affects the skin as well. Unmanaged stress makes your skin more sensitive to breakouts of acne and other skin problems. To obtain genuinely healthy skin it’s essential to reduce the amount of stress in your life. You can do this by getting more sleep, meditating, or taking regular exercise.

Treat your skin gently

Be kind to your skin, and your skin will be kind to you. An overzealous beauty routine can be disastrous for your skin’s health, so sometimes you can benefit from being minimal in your approach. Don’t take overly long or hot baths, and refrain from being too aggressive when you dry yourself – a pat down with a towel is sufficient to dry you while retaining essential moisture. Avoid strong soaps and detergents, and be careful when shaving. Always use some form of shaving cream, a clean, sharp razor, and shave in the direction of growth.

These are just a few tips to help you improve your skin quality, but the list is endless. If you suffer from specific skin problems, you may have your own methods. Although everyone is beautiful and no one should feel they have to change the way they look, there are treatments such as chemical peels and back acne scar removal that can help you with certain conditions. What skincare methods do you swear by?