If you want healthy, glowing skin you need to dedicate yourself to an effective skincare routine and healthy eating plan that will replenish and nourish your skin. Topical skincare is vital however, the food you consume also plays a major role in the health of your skin.

Here are some essential skincare tips to give your skin that much-coveted healthy glow.

Drink Water

You hear this all the time, drink water, water and more water! It is a vital component when it comes to keeping your skin healthy and glowy. Your body is more than 70 percent water therefore, drinking plenty of water is a no brainer. After all, your skin is the largest organ therefore, if you want to maintain the health of your skin, you need to stay hydrated. How much water should you be drinking?

Research suggests that you should be drinking at least eight large cups of water per day, approximately two litres of water. If you live in a hot climate, you should increase this to ten cups and add an extra cup for each hour of physical activity.

Consume Skin Healthy Foods

Your diet plays a significant role in the overall health of your skin. Yes, there are some lucky people that can eat whatever they want and still have glowing, blemish-free skin. However, this isn’t the case for the majority of people therefore, you must try to consume foods that will boost the health of your skin.

Try to include carrots, apricots and other orange and yellow fruits that contain beta carotene. Studies suggest that beta carotene contains powerful antioxidants that protect the skin against free radical damage. Consuming plenty of food rich in beta carotene can provide protection against harmful UV rays and other damaging pollutants.

Also, include plenty of berries, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, avocados and oily fish into your diet.

Exfoliate

Your skin renews itself every 28 days however, dead skin cell build can cause dull, sallow skin. Instead of glowing, healthy skin, you might notice blackheads or whiteheads and rough, textured skin instead. Combat this by exfoliating once a week, you can either use a physical exfoliant like a scrub or a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid. Be sure to consult a skincare specialist before using acids on your skin. The safest way to exfoliate at home is to use a gentle scrub. Use it once a week and tone and moisturize your skin afterwards.

Use AHA Skincare Products

We talked about exfoliation above, AHA skincare products are chemical exfoliants that work to peel away the top layer of the skin. AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid, they are water-soluble acids that derive from fruit acids.. Applying AHA products to your skin will help to reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten the skin. You can find products like Aha facial wash and AHA body wash, include these in your skincare routine to improve the health of your skin.

Supplement with Collagen

Collagen is the most prominent protein in your body. It provides your skin with structure and strengthens the bones and muscles. Experts believe that supplementing with collagen can boost your skin health. They are known to slow the ageing process and reduce acne and other skin ailments.

Use Sunscreen

UV rays are harmful, your skin should only get 15 minutes of direct sun exposure each day for vitamin D, anything more than that can be damaging to the skin. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun for longer than 15 minutes, you should be wearing sunscreen. Use a safe mineral-based sunscreen and opt for SPF 30 or higher. Applying sunscreen should be the final step in your skincare routine.

Tone

After cleansing your skin, apply a toner to remove any excess dirt that you missed during the cleansing process. Some cleansers are drying therefore, consider using a natural toner like aloe vera combined with pure water to sweep away excess dirt before applying moisturizer.

Moisturize

Your skin type will determine the type of moisturizer you use. If you have oily skin, you should be using an oil-free moisturizer, for normal to combination skin, find a moisturizer that agrees with your skin type. The best thing you can do for your skin is to consult a skincare expert or dermatologist. They can craft a tailored skincare routine specifically for your skin type.

Steam

Steam your skin at least once per week, even twice a week if you can. Steam removes excess dirt and tightens the pores, leaving your skin looking dewy and fresh.

Get Regular Facials

Get a facial at least once a month, boost the effectiveness of your home skincare routine by adding a once month facial into your routine. Having a professional facial makes all the difference to the overall health of your skin.

Exercise

Exercise increases blood and oxygen circulation which is highly beneficial for the skin. Remember to cleanse, tone and moisturize after your exercise session to prevent oil and dirt build-up.

Reduce the Air Conditioning

Air conditioning has a drying effect on the skin. If you live in a hot climate, reduce the air conditioning and open your windows instead.

Change Your Pillowcase

Did you know that harmful bacteria live on the surface of your pillowcase? Ideally, you should change your pillowcase daily to prevent blemish-causing bacteria from contaminating your skin at night. However, if you can’t change it daily, you should be changing your pillowcase at least every three to four days.

Sanitize your Phone

Just like your pillowcase, germs live and breed on your phone. Use sanitizer wipes to clean your phone every time you use it.

Healthy, glowing skin comes from eating well, drinking plenty of water, taking care of your skin topically, and reducing your stress levels. Pay attention to the types of foods you eat and the products that you apply to your skin. The best thing that you can do for your skin is to consult a professional skin care specialist to provide you with a custom skincare routine to boost the overall health and appearance of your skin.