The condition of your skin has a dramatic impact on how you look. Healthy skin can keep you looking young and vibrant. Age, genetics, sun exposure, illness, and treatments for diseases such as breast cancer are some of the factors that impact the condition of your skin. The good news is that there are steps you can add to your skincare routine and lifestyle to keep your skin looking its best.
1. Protect daily against sun damage
Ultraviolet (UV) light that comes from the sun can cause sunburns and long-term damage to your skin. Overexposure to the sun can lead to wrinkles, dry skin, and dark sunspots – basically, everything you want to avoid if your goal is to keep your skin looking young! The harmful rays from the sun can also lead to skin cancer.
You already know that it is important to cover up and put on sunscreen when you plan to spend a day at the beach or doing activities outside. This is essential, but the true secret of protecting against sun damage that makes you look older is to protect your skin daily. Protecting your skin from sun damage needs to be part of your daily skincare routine. An easy way to add sun protection to your skincare routine is to use a moisturizer that includes sunscreen.
Certain medications and chemotherapy can make your skin more sensitive to the sun – this is called photosensitivity. If you are receiving any type of treatment that can lead to photosensitivity, such as chemotherapy for breast cancer, you need to be extra diligent about protecting against sun damage.
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Dry skin is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to aging. Your skin naturally gets dryer as you age due to changes in your pores and a higher likelihood of conditions that lead to dry skin. Environmental factors can also increase the dryness of your skin. For example, if you are getting chemotherapy for breast cancer, it can cause your skin to be dry and itchy. A gentle and high-quality moisturizer can help your skin look and feel its best. If your skin is extra dry, you can double up on the moisturization in your skincare routine by using a moisturizing body wash and putting on lotion after you dry off.
3. Hydrate your skin from the inside
You can help your skin look younger and more vibrant from the inside out with proper hydration and nutrition. Drinking plenty of water and eating a nutritious diet can help improve the look of your skin. The right balance of water and nutrition enhances the look of your skin by improving your overall wellness. When you are taking steps to get healthier, the changes you make will start to show in the condition of your skin.
4. Take a close look at the products you use each day
There are no magic creams, washes, or lotions that will erase all evidence of aging. There are, however, plenty of products on the market that can speed up the aging process. You may be inadvertently using products that are damaging your skin and causing it to age prematurely. Take a close look at the products you use each day. Some products include harsh chemicals that are designed to clear up blemishes, remove fine lines, or eliminate dead skin. If your skin has always been sensitive or has become sensitive because of cancer treatment or medication, then these harsh products can do more harm than good. Look for products that are gentle and do not contain abrasive additives. Gentle cleaning products for your face will help you hold onto as much moisture as possible, so your skin looks young and vibrant.
5. Make sleep a priority
Did you know that sleep is an important part of any age-defying skincare routine? Sleep is restorative to your body, mind, and your skin. If you do not get enough sleep, the evidence shows on your face as dark circles under your eyes. Over time, missing out on sleep can age your skin by making it look dull, increasing wrinkles, and slowing down tissue restoration. The proper amount of quality sleep will maximize the health of your skin and keep it looking younger.
The importance of sleep cannot be overstated because it impacts so many facets of your health. Sleep also helps with immune function and can be an essential part of healing when you are fighting illness. Research shows that sleep can even impact recovery from serious diseases such as breast cancer. Take steps to make sleep a priority, and you will see a difference in the way your skin looks and in how you feel.
