7 daily habits for healthy, glowing skin

True beauty lies within… and this is true even for skincare. Our skin is the product of what we eat, how well we sleep, how we manage stress and the overall care we take of it. Healthy, glowing skin is a lifelong commitment, and one we must adhere to with even more care and dedication as we age. This post lists 7 daily habits to ensure your skin remains healthy and looks fresh.

1. Drink enough water

Hydrated skin looks soft, supple and more youthful. Drinking the recommended amount of water per day has numerous benefits for our overall health – including our skin. A good daily water intake helps keep moisture in your cells making your skin appear more plump and glowing.

2. Have a skincare routine that works for you

Develop a skincare routine that works for you, both timewise and skinwise. There is no point having a complicated, time-consuming routine if you aren’t going to follow it regularly. Instead, a simple 3-4 step skincare routine that you will be able to stick with morning and night will be more effective.

Cleaning, moisturising and sunscreen are the non-negotiables when it comes to basic skincare. Then, depending on the time available to you as well as your specific skin concerns/ age, add in products like serums, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol etc. Take a look at Parfum Dreams – it has a wide range of skincare and cosmetics and is the perfect one-stop shop for all your skin, hair, beauty and fragrance products.

3. The importance of sunscreen

For years we believed (me included) that sun protection was only meant for when we were out in the sun all day (at the beach or pool or in a hot, sunny country). How wrong we were! Did you know that you must apply sunscreen everyday, irrespective of whether you are indoors or outdoors, or whether it is summer or winter? Yes, because even on the cloudiest day, UV rays can harm your skin causing premature ageing and other problems. So a cardinal rule of your skincare routine is to never skip sun protection!

4. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is also an important part of skincare. Regular exfoliation helps prevent clogged pores and removes dead skin cells as well as excess oils and impurities in the skin, which results in fewer breakouts and fresher looking skin. It also stimulates the cells beneath the skin to increase collagen production.

If you have normal skin, you can exfoliate two to three times a week; however those with dry skin should do so once a week or once in ten days. See what suits your skin best and stick to it.

5. Get enough sleep

Another factor you might not associate with heathy skin is sleep, but lack of sleep over time leads to dull, saggy, lifeless skin. When we sleep, our body produces collagen – the protein responsible for skin elasticity – so over time lack of sleep results in dark circles, puffy eyes and fatigued skin. So make sure you get a good night’s sleep to keep your skin at its healthiest and best looking.

6. Eat the right foods

What we eat reflects not just on our weight and health but also on the way our skin looks. Old skin cells are constantly being replaced, which means a healthy supply of nutrients is essential to support skin turnover. Dull, lifeless skin is often a result of a poor diet.

Make sure you eat your recommended 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Get plenty of vitamin C through natural sources like citrus fruits. Have the recommended amount of protein daily as proteins are one of the building blocks of skin tissue. Eat minimal sugary or processed foods and stay hydrated. Your radiant skin will thank you.

7. Stress less

Stress is a silent destroyer of our health, and even has a negative impact on our skin. Notice how dull and patchy your skin looks when you are overly stressed or anxious over a period of time. It is proven that stress is also a factor for ageing skin. This is because the stress hormones break down the collagen and elastin in the skin and interfere with cell rejuvenation, resulting in more fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and generally dull-looking skin.

While it’s not entirely possible to avoid stress in our day-to-day lives, we can – and should – learn how to effectively manage it through diet, exercise, sleep and meditation.

Follow these 7 tips and make them into habits, and see your skin transform and look healthy, plump and radiant everyday!