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After my hair care series, skin care naturally follows. While I'd like to tell you that you are more than your physical appearance, that doesn't mean you should neglect your skin health. You should still find time to take care of your skin because nobody wants to look wrinkly and haggard, especially when one is still so young. Would you like people mistaking you to be a middle-aged woman when you are only in your early 20s? Of course not! So don't go anywhere and listen up because today I want to talk about simple, yet effective, skin care tips and tricks. 

1. Always Remove Your Makeup Before Going to Bed

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I think this should be a golden rule for skin care. Never--and I repeat--never go to bed with your makeup on. Your foundation can clog your pores and cause an acne breakout--so what more if you don't wash it off before going to bed? I had a roommate before who used to put on on makeup before going to bed. Yup, you read that right. It's not that she neglects to remove her makeup before sleeping, she actually puts it on! I don't know why she does that. But instead of looking pretty in the morning, she ends up looking more haggard--though I don't think anyone has ever told her that. I hope she has already changed her habits for the sake of her skin.

2. Hydrate Yourself

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Keeping yourself hydrated is another good way to keep healthy skin. When I said 'hydrate yourself', I didn't mean to submerge yourself in water. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day for a more supple and radiant skin. Remember, hydration starts from within. If you don't like plain water, you can always drink coconut water. It's naturally sweet and full of nutrients at the same time. It's a win-win situation. 

3. Treat Your Skin Gently

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Treat your skin as gently as possible. To maintain as much of its natural oils and elasticity, you must limit some of your bathing habits such as showering or bathing for too long because spending too much time in the water can actually strip the skin of its natural oils. Likewise, when bathing, refrain from using hot water for the same reason. Use warm water instead. You should also avoid using too many beauty products, especially the one with harsh chemicals. Wear less makeup or--if you can--just go bear. 

4. Protect Your Skin From the Sun

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A lifetime of exposure to the sun unprotected can leave your skin all wrinkly and riddled with age spots. You can also get all sorts of skin problems, including skin cancer. This is why it is very important to protect your skin from the sun. Seek shade and avoid the sun--as much as you can--between 10 am and 4 pm because this is when the sun's rays are the strongest. If going out at this time cannot be helped, make sure to wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. There are also special sun-protective clothing that are specially designed to block the UV rays of the sun. But, I bet they are pretty expensive. A more affordable option is using laundry additives that add a layer of UV protection on your clothes.

Aside from wearing protective clothing, you should also make it a habit to use sunscreen--whether it's raining or you're inside a building. Make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Apply it generously on your skin, especially the exposed parts like your face. Reapply every 2 hours for maximum protection. However, if you perspire a lot or are swimming, you will need to reapply sunscreen more often. 

5. Maintain a Healthy Diet

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If you want to stay healthy inside and outside, you must clean up your diet and eat healthy foods. At the risk of sounding cliche--eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. The association between acne and diet is still vague, but have you noticed that after eating oily foods, you tend to have an acne breakout? Studies and research also suggest that foods that are rich in fish oil but low in unhealthy fats and refined or processed carbs might actually promote younger looking skin. 

6. Don't Smoke

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Like I always keep on emphasizing: smoking is bad for your health. It damages your health, hair, and even your skin. Smoking can make your skin look older as it is a huge contributor to premature wrinkles. It decreases the blood flow to the skin which makes it appear paler by narrowing and constricting the tiny blood vessels in the skin's outermost layer.  

The skin's collagen and elastin, the fibers that give the skin its elasticity and strength, are also not safe from the negative effects of smoking. Additionally, pursing your lips while inhaling and exhaling, as well as squinting the eyes to see through the smoke, can also contribute to wrinkles. These are all repetitive facial expressions that all smokers make when smoking. 

I'm not done yet. Smoking also increases your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. As a smoker, the best way to protect your skin and your health is to quit smoking. Here's how you can quit.

7. Exercise

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Going to the gym is more than just about burning those extra calories. It also helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to your skin. If you don't like going to the gym, that's also okay. You can just have a dance party at home--even if you are the only one attending. Go on and crank up the music and bust a  move, your skin will definitely thank you for it.

8. Manage Your Stress

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Chronic stress can negatively affect our overall health, including our skin. Uncontrolled stress can trigger a bout of acne breakouts as it can make the skin more sensitive. I bet you didn't realize that a healthy state of mind can actually help encourage healthy skin. If you want a healthier and younger looking skin, take the necessary steps to manage your stress. Get enough rest and sleep, set limits and boundaries on what you can and cannot do, and make sure you have time to spare to do the things that you enjoy the most. 

Watch this video for more tips from Marie Jay.

Video Credit: Marie Jay via Youtube

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Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day ahead of you and keep smiling. :)

Written by Chineyes for bitLanders

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