Written By Go Vita
Sometimes, nothing gives us more confidence than having radiant healthy skin. However, given everything that our skin is exposed to day in and day out, taking care of our body’s largest organ isn’t always easy.
So to help you achieve that glow you’ve always wanted, we’ve set our our top three tips for naturally gorgeous skin.
One – Refresh and restore
Water is essential to maintain your skin’s elasticity and suppleness, and it ensures proper hydration of the body, helping to dilute and expel toxins as well as helping to prevent blemishes. Drinking at least eight glasses of pure water every day will leave your skin looking smoother, more hydrated and, as a result, visibly younger. Eating juicy fruit and fresh vegetables will also bump up your water intake. However, remember that your water requirements will increase in hot weather – the recommended amount is roughly a glass every hour.
Get into the habit of taking a water bottle wherever you go. Add lemon or cucumber slices to jazz things up, or try Skin B5 Clear Skin Superfood Booster, which replaces the electrolytes that you lose when you sweat on a hot day or during exercise. It also contains nutrient-rich hemp and superfruit powders and marine collagen.
Two – Protect it from the elements
As well as hydrating from within, you need to care for your skin from the outside in, by protecting it from the elements and locking in precious moisture. Avoid tight-fitting nylon, polyester or wool clothes, as they can trap heat and sweat and cause skin irritation; ‘breathable’ natural fabrics like linen and bamboo are preferable.
We also recommend using a good quality sunscreen with SPF protection on all exposed skin and wearing a hat, especially during the middle of the day. Pay particular attention to your chest area, or décolletage. The skin here is extremely delicate and much thinner than the skin on your arms and legs; it also produces less natural oil and usually bears the brunt of summer sun exposure, thanks to open-necked or strapless clothing. When it comes to avoiding or at least reducing wrinkles, sun spots, age-related pigmentation and crows’ feet, the best approach is always prevention.
Three – Use natural products
Skip harsh soaps or shower gels, and use mild, fragrance-free products instead. Use a natural, microbead-free exfoliant regularly to remove dead skin cells, which can give skin a dull, leathery appearance. Be gentle: scrubbing too hard will only damage skin and aggravate surface capillaries, causing redness. Use a nutrient-rich serum or mask to nourish skin cells, such as Skin B5 Five Minutes Skin Purifying Mask. Avoid long and overly hot baths and showers, because they strip the skin of its protective sebum (natural oil). To maintain plump, smooth skin, you will need to replace this sebum.
Jojoba oil is a natural antioxidant which works exceptionally well as a protective skin barrier and moisturiser, because its molecular structure is very similar to the skin’s own sebum; this means that it penetrates deeply into the skin’s layers, and it is quickly absorbed without being greasy, making it an ideal ingredient for a moisturising cream or lotion. Jojoba oil also contains the skin-healing vitamins A, D and E and omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, which all work together to help regenerate skin cells and repair skin damage.
For best results, apply your lotion or cream as soon as you get out of the shower or bath while your skin is still slightly damp – this will have a humectant effect, meaning it will help to lock in moisture. Choose products that contain naturally hydrating ingredients – in addition to jojoba, shea butter and coconut, macadamia, and almond oils all help form an effective barrier to water loss through the skin.
Bonus Handy Tip
If your skin is prone to flushing or dryness, get into the habit of spritzing yourself with a cooling spray. These products usually contain rosewater and anti-inflammatory essential oils, such as tuberose and lavender, and they instantly shower the skin with a burst of moisture as well as countering heat and refreshing your make-up. Cooling sprays are compact, so pop one in your handbag and another in your car for a quick pick-me-up. Spraying your neck and chest area is particularly effective if you are feeling overheated.
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