Get a Better Complexion

Have you ever wondered how those girls in the magazines and the celebrities get their complexion looking so perfect? Have you tried multiple skincare products, but still can't seem to get your skin looking as radiant as theirs? Some simple adjustments to your daily habits, skin care routine or diet can help you improve your complexion.

Steps

Adjusting Your Habits

1. Find out what causes damage. Many of our daily routines and rituals can end up damaging the skin. Too much sun, a poor diet, over or under-washing, and your general environment could be wreaking havoc on your complexion. Some things that we do daily, which cause damage to the skin, are:
   • Too much exposure to UV rays
   • Wearing too much makeup
   • Smoking
   • Living in an urban environment
   • Eating greasy foods
2. Cut out the cigarettes. If you are a smoker, you are probably already aware of the damage it can cause to your complexion and appearance. In addition to damaging the lungs and impacting oral health, smoking causes premature aging and wrinkles in the skin as well as clogs the pores, creating pimples and blackheads. If you are serious about improving your complexion, you may need to kick your smoking habit first.
3. Remove makeup daily. Some people, mostly women, wear makeup to improve the appearance of their skin. Other people, such as actors or TV personalities, wear makeup for their jobs. Whatever your reasons are for wearing makeup, make sure you take the necessary steps to remove that makeup thoroughly and allow your skin to breathe freely.
   • Realize that many makeups and facial products are designed to stay on the skin when exposed to water. Because of this, washing your face with soap and water is not an adequate measure for removing makeup and other facial products from deep in the pores. Purchase and use a reliable and effective makeup removing wash, scrub or pad to remove applied makeup.
4. Avoid tanning. Many people desire a nice tan or bronze color for their skin. Unfortunately, not everyone can achieve this color without first doing extensive damage to their skin caused by UV rays. If you are not happy with your complexion and regularly go tanning, stop. Your skin will look much better in its natural color and avoiding the sun or tanning bed can prevent premature wrinkles and aging.
5. Avoid pollution. The air we live in is not clean. Dirt, smog, smoke, and dust surround most of us on a daily basis. However, reducing your skin’s exposure to these pollutants can go a long way in making your skin look younger, brighter and healthier. If possible, limit your exposure to environments that are loaded with pollutants and use products designed to remove these pollutants from your pores.

Changing Your Diet

1. Eliminate certain foods. Pimples, wrinkles, and dull or bad complexions are often associated with certain types of foods. Limiting the amount of sugar you eat is critical to improving your complexion. In addition to foods that are high in sugar, you should also try to cut out the following items:
   • Milk- Milk, being a pasteurized product, is full of active bacteria. Even after ingestion, the bacteria slips into the blood stream and has been linked to increased oil production.
   • High Glycemic Index foods. Eating a lot of “refined” carbohydrates, often found in junk food and snacks like chips, candy, and greasy foods, basically quickens the aging process, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
   • Margarine. Margarine is high in trans fats, which can be good for skin. However, margarine has been linked to a lack of hydration that can damage your skin and cause premature aging.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which help combat the free radicals that damage your skin. Eat at least five portions of fruits and/or vegetables a day to maximize your skin’s healthy appearance.
3. Get more vitamin C & E. Vitamin C is loaded with antioxidants, helps boost the immune system and fights off bacteria related to skin problems. Vitamin E supports healthy skin growth and reproduction of skin cells by preventing “oxidative cell damage”.
   • You can find vitamin C in foods like strawberries, kiwi fruit, oranges, broccoli, papaya or sweet potatoes, among many others.
   • Good sources for vitamin E are sunflower oil, corn oil, hazelnuts, pine nuts, avocado and almonds.
4. Chew the fat. Foods that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats actually improve a person’s complexion by increasing collagen production and contributing to proper hydration. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are good, so eat more fish, avocado or nuts.
5. Stock up on zinc. Zinc can improve your complexion by naturally stimulating oil production in the glands, helping to repair damaged skin while also providing a barrier for your pores from dirt and bacteria. You will find zinc in lean red meats, poultry, shellfish, and whole grains.
6. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is critical for maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Obviously, water contributes to moisture. Having properly hydrated skin helps it stay flexible, resilient to damage, and helps maintain a healthy color.
   • The recommended amount of water intake is anywhere from 9 and 13 glasses daily, depending on your body size and gender.
7. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol on a consistent basis can cause damage to the blood vessels, particularly in your cheeks and nose. This will cause a permanent flushing or redness in the color of your skin. So, limit how much and how often you consume alcohol.

Establishing a Skincare Routine

1. Cleanse and tone morning and night. Cleansers and toners come in liquid forms, pads or wipes. You must always cleanse and tone, as this removes hidden dirt and unblocks your pores. You can buy cleanser and toner from your local pharmacy or any place health and beauty products are sold.
2. Moisturize every morning and night. Sometimes you will need to moisturize during the day as well, if you have particularly dry skin. It is important to use a good moisturizer all over the face. If you want to remove the appearance of wrinkles, get an anti-wrinkle moisturizer. Make sure you moisturize before you put on makeup and after you take it off, to replenish any moisture you might have lost during the day.
   • Make sure your moisturizer is suited for your skin type, e.g. dry, oily, normal, etc.
   • Make sure that, if you have dry skin, you get a foundation and concealer that is suited for dry skin. If you use a certain foundations on dry areas, the foundation may start to flake off and look even drier.
3. Invest in a good foundation. Whether it is a liquid, powder or mousse, purchase a good foundation. Make sure you get the right shade to match your skin tone. Liquid is usually best for covering up uneven skin tone and to smooth the skin out. Powder is effective for covering spots and blemishes. Some makeup artists use both, but it is up to you. Foundation doesn't block pores, if you get a good one. So, try finding a foundation that is rich in minerals.
   • Look for "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic" foundations, as they don't block up your pores.
   • Loreal Paris and Maybelline offer a wide range of foundations with many different shades to suit all skin tones.
   • Avoid any foundation that claims to suit all skin tones, as it most likely will not.
   • Always buy the right shade of foundation and make sure to test it in natural light on your face, not on the back of your hand. Otherwise, you might end up looking like a tangerine or a ghost.
4. Invest in a good concealer. Concealers cover up any spots or blemishes that your foundation hasn't covered. They can also reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes if you didn't get much sleep overnight.

Tips

• If you have oily skin, wash your face regularly and moisturize using a good quality body/face lotion.

Things You'll Need

• Concealer
• Cleanser and Toner
• Make Up Wipe/ Make up remover + cotton pads
• Foundation
• Moisturizer

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Care for Your Face (Males)
• Heal Raw Skin
• Use a Glycolic Acid Peel
• Know if Sunscreen Has Expired
• Heal over Exfoliated Skin
• Wear a Face Shield
• Stop Hard Water from Ruining Your Skin
• Choose a Natural Sunscreen
• Wear Makeup when You Have Eczema
• Make a Charcoal Peel‐Off Facial Mask

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