It is important to take time for yourself. You need to rest at appropriate times, get the right nutrition in, and fresh air is also important. All of these are necessary to be kind and good to your skin, science showed. You’re probably wondering what exactly you need to do then? I’ll lend a hand:
Nutrition
What you put on your plate is as important as what you put on your skin! Your skin will glow more if you eat healthier. Eat plenty of green fruits and vegetables, as they contain antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals. It can even combat skin aging in part.
Need inspiration? Broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, raisins and grapes are not only delicious but also treat your skin to a shiny boost! #helloglowingskin
In addition to eating antioxidants, it is also important that you consume enough vitamin C. Vitamin C causes you to build collagen, a substance essential for maintaining the structure and strength of connective tissue.
TIP: Brussels sprouts, peppers, kiwi, strawberries and oranges are packed with vitamin C and are also delicious in a smoothie!
It is best not to eat too many added sugars, a snack once in a while can certainly not hurt, just keep in mind the frequency of snacking. Because sugars start a process called saccharification, they consequently attach themselves to your collagen and elastin in your skin. These harden through this process and cannot recover. You will get wrinkles faster because of this and the skin will also sag faster.
Sleep
After a plate full of healthy food, it is also important to get enough sleep. Of course, this is easier said than done. Our busy lives sometimes cause us to often find ourselves in bed later than hoped. Difficult sleepovers, an evening with girlfriends, or that series you really can’t stop watching. We all know it! 😉 Still, always try to get about 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, it makes you get out of bed fresher and is packed with skin benefits. Who doesn’t want that!
A good sleeper, research shows, will have more even skin and more subcutaneous fat. You will also suffer less from fine wrinkles and the skin barrier will recover better. Do you sleep less than 5 hours a night? Then, unfortunately, reverse effects are also visible.
PS: Did you know that adequate sleep boosts your self-confidence? A study shows that good sleepers consider themselves more handsome. #hibeautiful
Sleeping in a cool and dark room is recommended. It is also best if you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, so yes, including weekends. We all like to scroll through social media while in bed, however, this is strongly discouraged. In fact, all the stimuli and the blue can cause you to sleep less well. It’s also best to try to relax enough during the day and reduce caffeine, this will help you sleep more restfully and faster.
Relaxation
Does your skin look a little less even and dull during stressful periods? No worries, this (unfortunately) happens to everyone. Inner peace or restlessness is not only felt on the inside, it is also visible on the outside.
Several studies have shown that stress and your skin are not the best match. During a period of heavy workload, exams, personal annoyances or great sadness, the skin barrier will not recover as quickly as during a relaxed period such as on vacation or when everything is going smoothly.
Stress suppresses certain substances that cause wounds to heal and recover faster. It also appears that emotional stress has a link to skin problems. Do you suffer from an eczema flare-up during a stressy period? You’re not alone … psoriasis, eczema and acne are all stress-sensitive and are triggered by troubled thoughts.
Do you struggle to unwind? Try to schedule some me-time from time to time: read a good book, enjoy a cup of tea (or other beverage), take a walk in the fresh air, … just really try to find yourself.
Relaxation
Does your skin look a little less even and dull during stressful periods? No worries, this (unfortunately) happens to everyone. Inner peace or restlessness is not only felt on the inside, it is also visible on the outside.
Several studies have shown that stress and your skin are not the best match. During a period of heavy workload, exams, personal annoyances or great sadness, the skin barrier will not recover as quickly as during a relaxed period such as on vacation or when everything is going smoothly.
Stress suppresses certain substances that cause wounds to heal and recover faster. It also appears that emotional stress has a link to skin problems. Do you suffer from an eczema flare-up during a stressy period? You’re not alone … psoriasis, eczema and acne are all stress-sensitive and are triggered by troubled thoughts.
Do you struggle to unwind? Try to schedule some me-time from time to time: read a good book, enjoy a cup of tea (or other beverage), take a walk in the fresh air, … just really try to find yourself.
Exercise
Everyone knows the phrase “30 minutes of exercise a day is healthy,” but not many people know that it also improves your skin. In fact, research shows that moderate-intensity exercise could protect you from free radicals. Moderate exercise means that your breathing and heart rate speed up a bit. Through exercise your body produces extra antioxidants and these substances counteract free radicals, consequently your skin will age less quickly because the free radicals normally take care of this.
So you see! Radiant skin is not only achieved through proper skincare, day-to-day things like your exercise and sleep also have an effect on that glowing skin. Do you have any questions about your skin or our products? You can always reach us via Whatsapp (+32 470 21 99 87) or instagram (natural.self).
Team SELF
