1. Protect yourself from the sun
We all know, one of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Excessive sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as amplify the risk of skin cancer.For the most complete sun protection:
- Use sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin from ultraviolet rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you're outdoors, try to reapply sunscreen every 3 hours — or more often if you're swimming or washing body or perspiring.
- Seek shade. As the sun rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., try to avoid them at that time.
- Use umbrella. Try to take an umbrella with you when you are going out.
- Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats/caps. Also think laundry additives, which give clothing an extra layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is particularly designed to protect ultraviolet rays. Use sunglasses to protect your skin around the eyes from being wrinkled.
2. Don't smoke
Smoking is full of faults. Smoking (nicotine) makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the small blood vessels in the outermost levels of skin, which decreases blood flow. This reduces the oxygen and nutrients of skin that are essential to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its potency and softness. The recurring facial expressions (you think heroic) you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles gradually.The best way to protect your skin is to quit smoking. Remember, nobody ever found a single positive side of smoking. You may read my post 10 Healthy Habits & Tips to Follow Them.
3. Treat your skin gently
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a charge on your skin. To keep it gentle you can:- Limit bath time. Excessive warm water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use mild warm rather than hot water.
- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin and make your skin harsh. Use mild cleansers.
- Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving and wait for few minutes. Use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows but not against it.
- Pat dry. After bathing or washing your body, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
- Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains proper SPF.
