My obsession with beauty and skin care came to fruition while watching my mom wash with this and slather with that. I could watch her for hours — the primping, the preening — fascinated by the transformation and careful attention to detail. So began my love affair with beauty.
Many years have past, but my love of skin care hasn’t diminished. Though, I am now aware that good skin is more than what’s put on the surface. It comes from inside. Like goodness and caring.
You have no choice but to look at your face in the mirror everyday, so you might as well like what you see, or at least make peace with it. Here are 12 super easy things you can do to look more radiant. And, face it friends (no pun intended), who doesn’t want to get their glow on?
1. Drink water
Lots of it! And even better if you squeeze fresh lemon in it. It cleans out the kidneys. You’ll be glowing from the inside out. Pinky swear.
2. Get enough sleep
I know this is almost impossible, especially when you have little ones to care for. But, without proper sleep your skin will look dull and haggard. Your eyes will droop, like Carl Malden. Not to mention, you’ll be grumpy.
3. Seriously, you’re eating that?
Cut out or at least cut down on junk food, like sodas, french fries and candy. Eat more fresh produce. Use avocado and olive oil instead of mayonnaise or butter. Anyone who tells you food doesn’t affect your skin has never seen me after a fried food and candy binge. Can you say cystic acne? Sugar and salt. Watch your salt intake. Salt equals bloat. Bloat is bad. Which is lousy for me since my downfall is anything salty and sweet. (Reese’s, Salted Caramels, Chocolate Fleur De Sel cookies…)
4. Don’t smoke
Ever seen a dirty ashtray? That’s what your lungs and mouth look like. Enough said. I grew up back in the days when secondhand smoke meant a cigarette in each hand. I spent many a cold, rainy morning surrounded by clouds of smoke in a car with the windows rolled up.
5. Drink less alcohol
I’m not saying to cut out all alcohol — heaven forbid, for I will never give up my wine — but try to drink less. It’s fattening and can make your face look puffy, and more than one glass a day can raise all kind of health risks.
6. Move your body
Exercise, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the block. Get your blood circulating and start breathing. Your cheeks will be rosy. The endorphins will be firing. You’ll be naturally radiant.
7. Exfoliate
There’s nothing that dulls the skin more than dead layers of skin sitting on your face. Polish them off and not only will you glow, your moisturizer or whatever skin elixir you favor will sink into your smooth clean skin and will work better too.
8. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Did I mention “moisturize?” The goal should be smooth and dewy, not dry and flaky. Walking around with skin parched like the Sahara Desert isn’t putting your best face forward. I learned this early on watching my mom slather silky Oily of Olay on her skin every night. Of course, the beginning of my budding beauty product obsession, I would stand by her side and follow her motions and rub a few drops into my face too.
9. Use sunscreen
It’s impossible to stay out of the sun, so make sure you’re always protected, with at least an SPF 15 or higher. (FYI — I use SPF 45 when I exercise outdoors and SPF 75 if I’m at the pool or beach.) Reapply often!
10. Stop picking
You don’t want an infection and make your problem worse. Keep your face clean and put a dab of salt on your bump. It works!
11. Let your skin breathe
Try to go without foundation or powder whenever you can. Never go to bed without washing off all your makeup and remembering to moisturize. If you can add a rich eye cream to your routine, so much the better.
12. Think happy thoughts and smile
It’s your best beauty accessory. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true.
We can’t ignore that part of having beautiful skin is the luck of having good genes. However, what you put in your body and how you treat it will show up on your exterior.
Do you have a skin care routine that works for you? Any tips you’d like to share?
What are your secrets for beautiful skin?
Great tips, LInda. I try to do most of these after years of too much sun exposure and an unprotected face on the ski slopes every winter and spring.
I know what you mean. Years of unprotected sun exposure in my youth is showing up on my skin. Lovely. Ugh.
Never knew that drinking water also helped ones skin. Gulp, gulp. Love reading beauty stuff.
I have become very obsessed with my skin, even more so than with my hair, and that is saying a lot. After menopause the extra hairs start growing on the face and getting rid of them, at least with my sensitive skin, started causing pimples. Add that to the normal aging drying skin and you have a mess. I just started using Dermalogica skin care items and it has really been helping. Hopefully it will continue to work.
Thanks for reading!
LInda, thanks for the good tips. At least I don’t smoke but probably guilty on all other offenses.
A beard does a nice job of helping to protect your skin. But if I am being honest I must admit I don’t like them on women. 🙂
These are all great tips. With doing so much writing lately I have been ignoring the exercise part. I like the idea of taking a short break to walk around the block.
I can do/deal with all of the above except #2…sleep escapes me especially during the summers in Florida. Crazy changes in pressure mess with my circadian rhythm. No fun! Thanks for sharing via Midlife Bloggers 🙂
You are right on Linda and since I’ve met you in person and your skin is gorgeous you know what you are talking about
I will take your advice because your skin is lovely!