Summer is about feeling and looking your best – follow these life hacks and your skin will thank you.
Not all skincare comes in pretty packaging. Some skin hacks are made of more natural forms of lifestyle inclusions and changes designed to help you have clear skin. They may work so well, you won’t need to wear foundation either. Though we can’t promise that, but hey, one can hope.
- Wash your hands before applying anything to the face
It is estimated that there are approximately 1500 bacteria living on each square centimetre of skin on our hands. Therefore, every time you touch your face, every door handle, and railing in the city is touching your face too.
So, for the sake of your skin and health, it is imperative to wash your hands before applying anything to your face.
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- Change your pillowcase
The culprit of your breakouts may be lying right under your nose. Literally! The pillows you sleep on and the towel you use to dry your face with can harbour unwanted oils from your hair and the texture may be impacting your skin.
A silk pillowcase will be the best investment you’ve ever made, as the soft texture is kind to your skin making it appear smooth and hydrated.
- Clean your makeup brushes:
This may sound odd, but the easiest way to clean your makeup brushes is with shampoo and an old hairbrush. Firstly, place a drop of shampoo on the brush, then, move it back and forth along the old hairbrush whilst concurrently running it under the tap.
You’ll be surprised how much used product trickles down the drain and how refreshed the brushes look when they’re clean.
Related Post: Cleaning Makeup Brushes? It’s a Cinch
- Face massage:
Facial massage is not referred to as a ‘natural face lift’ for no reason. Massaging your face relaxes your facial muscles whilst simultaneously promoting healthy skin. The stimulation promotes blood flow and oxygen in the skin, which in turn reduces puffiness and creates a glowing appearance.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer not to touch your face, the Foreo beauty device lightly pulses the skin giving it a gentle but firm massage, whilst cleaning pores at the same time.
Related Post: A New Way to Clean Your Face
- Downward dog:
Do you ever wonder why you don’t see a yoga teacher with pimples? This is their best-kept secret.
The answer: Spending 5 minutes in downward dog. It works to increase blood flow throughout your body as well as giving you a full body stretch. We spend so much time standing, our blood flows down away from the face most of the day. Thus, by spending 5 minutes or so in downward dog, you force the blood flow back into the face to plump skin for a youthful complexion.
Related Post: The Best Yoga Positions for Naturally Glowing Skin
- Stress Less:
In order to stress less, you may need to wake up earlier to finish a project or cancel plans with a friend so you can have more relaxation time. The reason for this is that everything in the body is connected. If you’re scared, goosebumps appear on your arms. When you’re happy, laughter erupts from the belly. Therefore, if your mind is calm your skin will likely follow suit.
Related Post: How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety Through Meditation
- Go make-up free:
Taking a short vacation from make-up allows your skin to breathe and consequently distribute its natural oil across the pores. Your body produces a natural oil through its glands called Sebum. Make-up disrupts this normal coating on your skin that both moisturizes, and protects your skin.
Related Post: Why You Need To Include Micellar Water Into Your Beauty Routine
- Apply products to a damp face:
According to dermatologist Michelle Farber, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology, it is a common misconception that you need to dry your face before doing your skincare routine so that you don’t “dilute” the products. Throw that thinking out the window because applying products to a damp face helps increase adsorption and provide better results.
- Don’t cleanse your face too much:
Similarly to make-up, over-cleansing your skin can strip the natural oils off your face and cause your skin to overproduce oil in order to counteract the cleansing. As an alternative, wash your face with cold water as this provides a gentle cleanse without removing any moisture in the skin.
- Cold water:
Coldwater helps tighten pores as well as circulate the blood throughout your face. Subsequently, it will help de-puff those morning eyes and ultimately give the appearance of a brighter complexion.
- Don’t be afraid to use oil on your face:
While oil can cause congestion and breakouts, it’s important to realise that it’s about putting the right oils on your face. Firstly, face oils are most similar to the substance that our skin naturally produces. As a result, they have the ability to nourish, reduce inflammation and impart a glowing radiance.
However, people have different skin types so it is essential to speak to a dermatologist about the personalised needs of your skin.
- Homemade mask:
Funnily enough, the ingredients in your pantry can offer other purposes beyond just feeding you. Not only are homemade masks easy and free, but they also have the ability to target certain skin conditions. For example, a warm oat and water mask tightens and clears oily skin. The Oats absorb oil, and it is super calming for irritated skin. You can even put some oats into the bath to soothe your whole body.
Related Post: DIY Green Tea Face Mask Recipe
- Take calls differently:
Your phone screen is one of the most filthy objects you can put in your hands let alone the skin on your cheek. Making a habit of taking calls on speaker or on headphones can help reduce the exposure of dirt to your face and thus improve your face.
- Take a dip in the ocean:
The ocean is brimming with skin-friendly minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The salt in the water naturally absorbs acne-causing bacteria in the pores, which in turn tightens and improves the quality of your skin.
- Hydrate:
Your body is like a plant, it needs lots and lots of water. Drinking lots of water helps flush out nasty toxins and hydrate the skin from the inside. The recommended amount of water you should drink per day is 2.7 litres for women and 3.7 litres for men. The easiest way to up your water intake is to take a water bottle with you everywhere you go.
Related Post: 4 Indoor Plants Most Beneficial Fo your Skin and How to Grow Them At Your Place
Ice alone may not cure a pimple, it can decrease swelling and redness, making the pimple less noticeable. Ice also has a numbing effect, which can offer temporary pain relief for severely inflamed pimples.