How to improve your complexion

How to improve your complexion
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Fancy, expensive products, and drastic lifestyle changes are actually not necessary to see a timely improvement in your skin. In fact, if you follow these tips from dermatologists, you could see positive changes in your complexion in just one day.

Drink up

Drink up
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Do yourself (and your skin) a favour and chug some H2O. When skin is hydrated, it looks fuller, smoother, and healthier, because it’s being plumped from within. And according to dermatologist, Dr Jody Levine, water may also decrease your acne breakouts by lowering the concentration of oil on your skin.

Check out these genius tricks to guarantee you’ll drink enough water.

Skip the sweets

Skip the sweets
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A healthy diet is a must – and that means limiting your sugar intake. “Processed sugar glycates the collagen, which stiffens and ages it,” says dermatologist, Dr Debra Jaliman. “It’s best to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Here’s what happens to your skin when you eat sugar.

Exfoliate regularly

Exfoliate regularly
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If you do one single thing to get brighter, clearer skin, you should exfoliate. Exfoliation promotes cell turnover, unclogs pores, and helps skin look more radiant. Try a gentle daily scrub or a chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic acid. Different skin types will react differently. For sensitive skin, you may want to exfoliate less often, whereas oily complexions will do better with more frequent exfoliation. Talk to your dermatologist to determine which formulas are right for you and how frequently to use them.

Drink green tea

Drink green tea
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“The polyphenols in green tea are wonderful antioxidants, which fight oxidative damage to your skin (from free radicals in your environment),” says Dr Levine. And due to its anti-inflammatory property, green tea can actually help reduce redness, blotchiness, and irritated skin.

Read on to find out more about the different types of tea.

Remove makeup

Remove makeup
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Every dermatologist on Earth will tell you that sleeping in your makeup is a no-no because it can clog pores and lead to dullness and inflammation. Simply put, wash your face! There’s literally no excuse not to take off your makeup. For those nights when you’re too exhausted to go through your regular cleansing routine, stash a pack of makeup removing wipes on your nightstand.

Don’t miss these makeup mistakes that seriously age your face.

Catch some sleep

Catch some sleep
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There’s something to be said for beauty sleep. Without it, skin can look dull, according to Dr Jaliman, who recommends sleeping at least seven to eight hours each night. “Skin rejuvenates and repairs itself while you sleep. That’s what gives it that glow,” she says.

Not sleeping well? Here’s how to sleep better every night.

Change your pillowcase

Change your pillowcase
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Dr Levine recommends sleeping on a silk pillowcase rather than a cotton one. Silk causes less friction against your skin, so it’ll feel better and help prevent the tell-tale wrinkles that reveal which side you typically sleep on. Plus, you won’t wake up with lines on your face.

Use a gentle cleanser

Use a gentle cleanser
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Dr Jaliman recommends looking for a mild formula with glycerine and ceramides. “It doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils and actually adds more moisture from aloe, glycerine, and ceramides. It also has the anti-inflammatory agent arnica, so it’s soothing and actually minimises redness.”

Don’t miss these things you should never do to your skin, according to dermatologists.

Cleanse smarter

Cleanse smarter
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If you start to think about the germy things you touch in a day – from grocery carts to your own mobile phone – it can be pretty gross. If you come home and immediately start washing your face, your intentions may be good, but the results won’t be. Bacteria on your hands leads to bacteria on your skin. So especially during these times – with Covid-19 infections rising – make sure to clean your hands thoroughly (including under your fingernails) before going anywhere near your face. Alternatively, you can use a washcloth. Dr Jaliman recommends a baby washcloth because it’s very soft and gentle. (Just make sure to use a clean one each time.)

Make sure to moisturise

Make sure to moisturise
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Moisturising your skin is a must! Healthy hydrated skin looks and feels young and supple, while dehydrated skin looks sallow and dry. And for those with acne-prone skin, missing moisturiser actually can make breakouts worse! When skin is dry, it’s unable to perform its natural process of shedding. So the dead skin sits atop your healthy skin, leading to clogged pores and blemishes.

Wear sunscreen, even indoors

Wear sunscreen, even indoors
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The sun’s rays can damage skin cells, leading to photoageing – and potentially skin cancer – so it’s important to always protect your skin. “A common mistake that I see patients make is not wearing sunscreen properly,” says Dr Levine. “It’s very important to apply it before you are exposed to the sun and to reapply it every two hours.” And because windows, fluorescent bulbs, and even electronic devices let in UV rays, it’s crucial to protect your skin when indoors as well as outdoors. “The UV rays damage your collagen and elastic tissue and cause wrinkles. People who wear sunscreen religiously tend to look much younger than their actual age,” explains Dr Jaliman.

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Source: RD.com

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