The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a protective barrier; it is constantly exposed to various environmental factors such as changing weather, dirt, dust, and pollution. Your skin also serves as an indicator of overall health. It can reflect internal imbalances or deficiencies that may manifest as physical symptoms on the surface. For example, lack of sleep can result in dark circles, hair loss can occur following illness or surgery, and brittle nails can be a sign of nutrient deficiencies resulting from crash dieting and weight loss.

While working to improve one’s overall health, it’s essential to include a skin and hair care routine. Maintaining the health of our skin and hair can have a considerable impact on our self-esteem and confidence. Therefore, it’s important to prioritize the care of our skin and hair as part of our overall health and well-being.

Tips to maintain healthy skin

Here are some tips you can try to maintain beautiful and glowing skin:

1. Apply Sunscreen

It is essential to apply sunscreen during daylight hours, regardless of the weather. This is not only important for those who spend time outdoors, but also for those who have started working from home and are frequently exposed to laptops and other technology. The visible indoor lights and the blue light from devices like laptops and smartphones may damage the skin. Using a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide or an infrared protective sunscreen is a good option to protect from this damage.

2. Use serums

It is important to take preventative measures when it comes to our skin. One should care for at least skin twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night before and after being exposed to various temperatures, environmental conditions like wind, sun, air, pollution, and mental stress. Using serums and creams before going to sleep, helps the skin to rejuvenate faster and proves to be a beneficial option.

Also Read: Work anxiety can impact skin! Follow these tips to keep your mind and skin stress-free

It is important to choose a serum based on one’s age and skin type. For example, someone in their 30s with acne-prone skin should use a serum with 5-10 percent Niacinamide, while someone in their 20s with acne-prone skin should use a serum with Retinoids, like 0.1 percent Adapalene or 2.5 percent Benzoyl Peroxide-based creams as recommended by dermatologist.

Someone in their 30s or 40s or older with ageing and dry skin can use a Hyaluronic acid-based serum, and someone with normal skin can use a vitamin C-based serum. Those people who have dry ageing skin and cannot tolerate retinol can try Bakuchiol serums for firmness, anti-ageing, and to reduce open pores.

3. Water-based makeup products

It is advised to use water-based makeup products as they are typically less likely to cause long-term damage. They are also non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t cause breakouts or block pores and can be easily removed with moisturizers.

4. Removal of makeup

It’s important to always remove makeup after a long day at work. A simple and effective way to do this is by using a moisturizing cream to wipe off the makeup, rather than purchasing expensive cleansing milk or toners. Then, you can follow up with a face wash and night serum for complete cleansing and nourishment of the skin.

5. Nourish the forgotten areas

Don’t forget to moisturize the forgotten areas of skin like feet, elbows, lips, and under the eyes. A deep moisturizing cream containing urea can be very hydrating for palms and soles; applying moisturizing creams to the knees & elbows and avoiding friction when writing on a table or kneeling can greatly prevent darkening in those areas. Lips should be hydrated with lip balms and SPF-containing lip balms are especially good for day time. Eye serums should be the first step for layering in the night routine followed by face serums and moisturizers, as the skin around the eyes is 7 times thinner than the facial skin.

Also Read: Follow these simple steps for fresh and flawless skin around your eyes

6. Stick to minimal products

Following a minimalistic approach is the best. Skin is a part of the integumentary system and one of the ways the body excretes waste products, such as through sweat and oil glands. Applying too many products and blocking the pores can be harmful to the skin. However, if you are under specific treatment with a dermatologist, they may recommend additional products for a short period. In the long term, even just applying sunscreen and moisturizer can be sufficient for maintaining healthy skin.