Top 5 Habits of People with Great Skin

Some people just seem to have been born with great skin – you probably know someone who fits that category, right (?) – I think we all do – #jealous! But for the majority of us, healthy, happy skin doesn’t just magically happen. This is especially true as we grow older. What you may have been able to get away with when you were younger just doesn’t cut it any more as the years roll by. The good news is, there are things we can do every day to ensure our skin looks and feels at its best and it only takes a little bit of effort. With that in mind, here’s our list of the top 5 habits of people with great skin:

5. Avoid strong soaps and detergents

People with great skin know that harsh detergents and soap have no place in our skincare regime and can have a detrimental effect on our skin. Sulphates, in particular, can strip our skin of its natural oils, causing dryness, tightness and flakiness, as well as irritation and dermatitis in those with sensitive skin. Sulphates can also clog pores and cause acne.¹

4. Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells

Cell turnover is a natural process and vital for healthy looking skin. New skin cells are created to replace the existing ones. As the new skin cells push their way up to the surface, old skin cells fall off. Sometimes, our skin needs a little help shedding the old, dead cells so they don’t build up on our skin’s surface, causing it to become flaky and dull. People with great skin understand this and appreciate the benefits of using an exfoliator to help this process. Using an exfoliator can help to reveal new, fresh skin for a complexion that’s supple and more radiant. Depending on your skin type, you can exfoliate 1 to 3 times per week.

(image source: Canva)

3. Always take off makeup at night

I get it. Taking off your makeup before bed can be a real drag, especially on those occasions when you get home late, are feeling tired and can’t wait to hit the sack and drop your head onto your pillow. As tempting as it is to skip this step, removing all traces of makeup is really important for the appearance of your skin. Our skin works to repair and renew itself while we sleep. Leaving makeup on can interfere with that process and people with great skin wouldn't dream of doing it - see what I did there? How many of you have woken up to puffiness under your eyes and breakouts after sleeping with your makeup on (sheepishly raises her hand in the air)? Proof enough.

2. Use SPF products

It’s no secret that exposure to the Sun’s rays can damage our skin. It’s not enough to use sunscreen only when you go to the beach or park or play outdoors sport. We experience many instances of incidental UV exposure throughout the day, even if most of our time is spent indoors. That walk to the bus stop or train station. Sitting in our car in peak hour traffic. Hanging the washing on the line in the backyard. Apparently, UV rays can even cause damage if you’re sitting inside next to a window on a sunny day.² Multiple UV exposures can add up and contribute to photoaging. Let's face it - no-one wants premature sun spots, lines and wrinkles. Make it a habit to wear a natural (physical zinc-based) sunscreen on your face every day – your complexion will thank you for it. People with great skin know there are lots of facial moisturisers and BB Creams on the market today that include SPF. Some are even tinted – a good option for the face.

1. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise

And so to our Number 1 habit of people with great skin. Moisturise. Some people claim that drinking lots of water will hydrate and plump our skin and make all the difference however, although it can’t hurt, the jury’s still out on that one. Drinking water might be good for our complexion but most of the water we drink is probably taken up and utilised by our bodies' other vital organs before it even has a chance to benefit our skin. We’ve all seen pictures of dry river beds during drought, with big cracks spreading throughout. This is a result of lack of water (moisture). It’s not quite the same with our faces but you get the idea. We need to hydrate our skin from the outside! This is true even for people with oily skin – just use a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Whether you prefer a thick, rich and creamy moisturiser, a lighter more fluid lotion or an oil-free moisturiser, it really doesn’t matter. Just moisturise! That's what people with great skin do. If you're skin is particularly dry, it might also benefit from a facial oil and/or serum in addition to your moisturiser. Find the right moisturising products for your skin and use them – morning and night – religiously.

¹ Healthline.com

² skincancer.org

Note: The author and Naturally Safe Cosmetics are not health professionals. Any information or advice in this article is of a general nature only and may include the author's own personal opinion. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For medical advice regarding your own personal circumstances, we recommend you contact your GP or other healthcare professional.