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3 Top tips for glowing skin

There are very few people who have naturally flawless skin. If that wasn’t the case, there’d be a lot more beauty models, and a lot less money spent on lotions and potions that promise to keep us looking our youthful best. Alas, most of us deal with skin complaints at each stage of our lives; from acne and breakouts to wrinkles, pigmentation and more. There’s light at the end of your skin-woe tunnel though; and you’ll be glad to know these fixes don’t cost you an arm and a leg.
1. Get rid of dull, dry skin

This is where it all starts! Keep in mind; you essentially shed your top layer of skin every month, but if you don’t get rid of the build-up of dead skin cells, it leaves your skin looking, and feeling, dry and dull. Start by using a quality cleanser that includes salicylic acid. This active ingredient is used in a lot of skincare products, and for good reason. It’s a gentle exfoliator that remove dead skin cells, and prevents pores from clogging, which in turn helps prevent acne and breakouts. And when it comes to picking the right moisturiser, look out for one that includes glycerine. It works by keeping the natural oils in your skin balanced, while keeping it protected and hydrated at the same time.

2. Banish breakouts

If only pimples and acne were reserved for puberty. But they aren’t. A lot of adults, especially women, experience breakouts later in life, often due to hormonal imbalances and stress. For this, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) are key to helping clear skin faster, and prevent future breakouts. BPO also works by gently peeling the top layer of skin, which prompts your skin to make new cells faster. It can cause your skin to become dry, red and flaky when you first start using it, so start on a low strength cleanser, moisturiser and topical treatment – and stick to the instructions.

There’s no silver bullet here. As with any new skincare product or routine you’re trying, you need to give it time to work. This means waiting at least 6 weeks before you decide whether or not you want to continue with it.

3. Say goodbye to fine lines

Those fine lines around your eyes and mouth are usually the first signs of ageing. And sure, they’re partly caused by laughing and smiling, but that’s not what you’re thinking when you start seeing them on your face. Ageing skin is an entirely natural process, but you can help slow down the signs of ageing on your face. For this, look out for night creams, serums or treatments which contain retinol. This is form of Vitamin A which prompts your skin to make collagen – a protein that keeps your skin plump and firm. Collagen occurs naturally in our skin, but as we age, production of it slows down, which is why skin starts sagging and fine lines and wrinkles appear.

A note of caution: Although Vitamin A skincare products can be very effective, they do make your skin sensitive to sunlight, so make sure you use it along with a high SPF sunblock. Retinol has also been linked to complications in pregnancy, so if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, then give it a miss.

Of course, it’s not just about what you do for your skin on the outside. Your skin just shows how you’re treating your whole body – so, stick to a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh food, get your heart rate up with regular exercise, drink more water, stress less and sleep more.

Joanne Hart for HelloDoctor.com

Source: Sharecare.com