Three Simple and Sure Ways to Maintain Healthy Skin

Image via WikipediaSkin is one of our most precious assets, but our hectic

lifestyles leave very little time for proper skin maintenance
and as a result, our skin no longer has the baby softness that
we had when we were born. Further, as we age, our skin steadily
gets thinner and thinner and eventually wrinkles. The sebaceous
glands that produce oil become less active, and the less active
the sebaceous glands, the drier the skin. Added to our glands
producing less oil, the quality and quantity of our blood
vessels decrease which makes our skin more fragile. The skin no
longer has that youthful looking glow or colour. There are some
skin care tips which can help to postpone the natural aging
process and prevent the various types of skin problems that
occur. These will also help you to keep your skin glowing and
healthy for years to come.

1.) Guard Yourself from the Sun. One of the most important
things to remember is the damage that the direct sun can do to
the skin. Ultraviolet rays which are invisible but intense,
damages the skin and causes the skin to become dry and rough.
Liver spots, deep wrinkles and various disorders such as benign
and/or malignant skin tumors can also result. In actuality, a
lifetime of sun exposure can be the reason that the skin goes
through such changes..

For complete sun protection, take note of the following points:

- Avoid going out in the sun at the most intense hours: The rays
of the sun are most damaging during 10am to 4 pm, and so, avoid
going out in the sun during these hours.

- Put on protective clothing. Wear clothes such as long pants,
long sleeved shirts, hats and caps, which completely cover the
skin. In addition, remember that some fabric and certain styles
provide more protection from the sun compared to others.

- Use sunscreen. Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) higher than 15. It is feasible to apply
the lotion 20 minutes before going out in the sun and, if
possible, reapply it every two hours, especially after being in
the water or after intense sweating.

2.) Cleanse your skin. Cleansing is an essential part of caring
for your skin and the key is to treat it gently.

- Limit bath time and use warm water. Long showers and hot water
remove the essential oils from the skin, limit your bath and
shower to about fifteen minutes or less, and try to use warm
water rather than hot water.

- Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps generally strip the essential
oil from the skin and can make your skin dry. Select mild soaps
that contain extra fats and oils.

- Avoid irritating additives If your skin is sensitive, avoid
skin product which contain dyes or perfumes. These can irritate
the skin and could trigger an allergic response.

- Pat dry After bathing or washing, softly blot or pat your skin
with a cloth so that a little bit of moisture remains on your
skin. Moisturize your skin with cream or oil immediately.

3.) Moisturize regularly. Moisturizer greatly assists in
maintaining your skin's natural moisture. The moisturizer works
by putting a seal on your skin. Needless to say, the moisturizer
that you use also depends on many different factors such as your
type of skin, your age and any skin conditions such as bad skin
or acne. The best way to find out if you require a moisturizer
is to wait for 20 minutes after bathing. If your skin feels
tight, you need to apply a moisturizer. Finally, it is always
feasible to consult a dermatologist. He will not only tell you
about your skin type, but he will also help you with the right
kind of products and lotions, and if treatment is required to
help you to maintain your skins youthfulness.

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