Protect your skin from UV rays
And do it the proper way! A healthy dose of sun can be great for our vitamin D levels and our skin,
but too much is too much. Besides avoiding melanoma and decreasing your cancer risk, you’ll also decrease the chances of more obvious signs of sun exposure showing up. Too much sun can worsen wrinkles, produce dark sun spots, and more. This is because the sun causes collagen to break down, and the degradation of elastin, leaving our skin with little defence. Choosing the right sunscreen is important, too. A non-toxic, mineral-based formula is going to present less risk (including cancer risk) than a chemical-laden sunblock.
Don’t forget to moisturize
Using the right moisturizer and using it regularly can keep the skin dewy, glowing, and firm. Dehydration inside and outside leads to oxidative stress which leads the skin to a taste in which it’s unable to repair itself, suffering further damage in this endless cycle.
Using coconut oil as a moisturizer has extra benefits, too; according to this research, it increases skin surface lipids which help protect from environmental irritants, leading to less damage over time. And remember – hydration begins by getting enough water! Staying hydrated can make a huge difference in the appearance of the skin.
Eat more vitamin A
Vitamin A foods are rich in retinol which is why it’s one of the most important nutrients for healthy skin. A diet that is abundant in foods with plenty of bioavailable vitamin A is a safe bet for long-term, under the surface skincare. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is important to note that, these foods (if they do not already contain fat) should be consumed with fats. Some of the foods with the most vitamin A include liver, eggs, fish and most dairy products.
Skip the sugar
It is commonly heard that sugar can increases breakouts and there is some truth to this. While this study examines both the effects of sugar and fat in the appearance of wrinkles, increase in carbohydrates is the more likely culprit. Sugar is one of the most crucial habits cut out for a healthier skin overall. First, it breaks down the collagen, it weakens the immune system which our bodies less efficient at warding off bacteria which clog the pores. Finally it creates more testosterone leading to larger pores, hardened blood vessels and increased oil production - none of which are making a strong case of firm skin!
Balance alkaline and acidic foods.
An alkaline and acid can be beneficial for a number of reasons, one being your skin. A three-to-one ratio of alkaline to acidic food is the golden standard for good skin. Why? Good question! Most antioxidant-heavy and nutrient dense foods are quite alkaline including dark leafy greens, seaweed, cooked tomatoes (high in beta-carotene which converts to vitamin A) and yellow vegetables. These vitamins help protect the skin from damage and prevent wrinkles, while acidic foods can have some undesirable effects. On the other hand, it’s important to note that most protein foods are acidic, but these foods also contain plenty of collagen to counteract the potentially negative impact on the skin. Aim for that 3:1 ratio most of the time and you will be feeding your skin.
Build muscle
This one is especially important for people after weight loss and it is more important to the entire body – not just the face! We want to keep our skin firm all over. Building muscle can change body composition big time, helping the body to appear more filled out and toned. Losing fat and building muscle will increase the dramatic change in appearance. It is not easy to put on muscle, but 3 – 5 days per week lifting weights or performing resistance training should do the trick in conjunction with plenty protein.
Stay hydrated
Water is a common nutrient deficiency. It helps us keep our skin moisturized offering up many of the same benefit as a daily moisturizer. It is also one of the most alkaline foods we can eat, so it can help you meet your ratio when balancing alkaline and acid. Water can increase blood flow to the surface of the skin to decrease wrinkle appearance and improve the thickness and density of skin. Some the skin’s structures that support collagen – a building block of the skin – also rely pretty heavily on water and those structures need enough fuel!
Use a sea salt scrub
There’s more evidence that a sea scrub can firm up skin. It is also great for exfoliation removing dead skin cells and simply pampering yourself at home. It is simple to stock to stock one up and use it each day in the shower. Plus, exfoliation means the skin will be more receptive to the benefits of a good moisturizer since it will reach deeper into the dermis. Salt scrubs also contain important minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium which aid in skin cell restoration and provide anti-ageing effects.