The Do’s and Dont’s of Skin Care

Written by: Abi Mogge, Staff Writer

If you’re reading this, you are probably already fairly well-versed in caring for your skin. But despite all good intentions, it can be so easy to resort to bad habits that wreak havoc on your skin. Read ahead for the cardinal rules of good skin care.

Let’s start with some of those bad habits that it’s time to learn to break:

Don’t Smoke. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin. The constant pursing of lips can lead to the fine lines around the mouth. Make it a point to quit smoking ASAP for the health of your skin and entire body!

Don’t go bed with makeup on. Do wash your face or use a pre-moistened face wipes if you’re pressed for time and/or too exhausted to see straight. Your skin heals and repairs itself at night. Deciding to go to sleep with makeup on, leaves dirt and oil on your skin that interferes with your skin’s natural repair process. Sleeping with makeup also severely clogs pores.

Don’t touch your face. No picking at pimples, scratching at flaky patches, holding your phone between your shoulder and cheek. This can transfer dirt, oil and bacteria onto your skin and lead to breakouts. Be careful with the skin around your eyes. Don’t tug at it when removing your eye makeup. Treat your face gently like the delicate flower petal you want it to resemble.

Do use sun protection. Excessive sun exposure can prematurely age your skin, cause wrinkles, dehydration, rough texture and redness. There are some great sunscreen options out there, for every skin type and every activity level. Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes and reduce the squinting that can lead to lines around the eyes and brow. If you want further protection, look into clothing and hats with sun protection built into the fabric as well. Make it a point to protect your face, neck & décolletage, and hands from the sun on a daily basis and you will thank yourself in 20 years.

Do watch what you’re putting into your body. Don’t consume excessive amounts of junk food, alcohol and caffeine. Be aware if you are sensitive to sugar and dairy as well, as these have been known to irritate skin conditions like acne and rosacea. We’ve been told for years that “chocolate makes you break out” is just a myth, but consider the fact that what you eat is essentially what makes up your body. So greasy, sugary, processed fare is hardly going to give you the healthy, glowing complexion you want. Load up on fruits and veggies, like dark leafy greens and orange/yellow/red items such as squash, oranges, carrots and yams. Foods that are high in Vitamins A, C, E, Beta Carotene and antioxidants are essential for healthy skin.

Do drink plenty of water! Water is essential for the health of your entire body! Water hydrates your entire body and flushes toxins out of system. The old adage states that 8 glasses a day is ideal, but you get a lot of water from the foods that you eat as well. Stay hydrated throughout the day and drink more water when you exercise. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, add a spritz of lemon, lime, or a sprig of mint for some flavor. Try starting your day with a mug of hot water and lemon, to cleanse your body and jump start your digestive system.

Do find a skin care system that works for YOU. Identify the unique needs of your skin. Is your skin sensitive? Overly dry or oily? Prone to acne or rosacea? Choose products tailored to meet those needs. Do some research about skin care, there is a world of options beyond the drugstore aisle. Try to find products that are designed to promote a healthy ph balance of your skin, the body’s largest organ. Exfoliate once or twice a week and moisturize regularly, especially right after bathing. Make it a point to use light, natural cosmetics that are non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, as they are less irritating to the skin.

Do keep hair products off of your face, both day and night. Anyone remember that episode of Full House where Uncle Jessie invented a gizmo to shield the face from hair spray? Best idea ever. Try not to get gel, mousse and hair spray on your face and pay extra attention to the hair line when washing your face to remove the product build up. Change your pillowcase weekly so that you’re not rolling around on dirt, oils, dead skin cells, hair products and makeup that you were supposed to wash off.

Do exercise regularly. 30 minutes a day is recommended. Exercise, especially cardio, boosts circulation, as well as detoxification and cellular renewal. Certain exercises like yoga and tai chi can help you to relax tight facial muscles (think: clenched jaw, think: furrowed brow) and smooth wrinkles. Exercise lowers stress hormones and promotes overall health of face and body.

Do bathe after exercising (sitting around in your own sweat is a recipe for face and body breakouts!) but don’t overdo it with washing your skin. Too much cleaning can strip the skin of its natural moisture, causing a vicious cycle of drying skin and then overcompensating with heavy moisturizers. Take it easy and keep it natural! When it comes to skin care, always remember that your skin is not just an accessory to be primped and painted with cosmetics. It’s an organ and therefore the health of your entire body is reflected in your skin. Treat it with care and you’ll see your natural beauty shining through!