Improve Your Skin Complexion

Having nice skin takes more than just using the right products. You also have to take care of what you eat and do. This article will give you a few tips on how to improve your skin complexion through general skincare, lifestyle, and diet. It will also give you a few facemasks to try.

Steps

Taking Care of Your Skin

1. Wash your face at least once or twice a day, but do not over-wash. Washing your face will help get rid of all the dust, dirt, grit, and oil that gets on your skin during the day. Washing your face too often, however, will get rid of all the oil. This will cause your skin to produce even more oil to compensate. In turn, this will lead to even more breakouts and acne.
   • If your skin gets oily during the day, try blotting the oily spots with blotting papers. You can find them in most beauty shops.
   • Avoid using hot water when washing your face. Hot water can be very drying. Use warm water instead.
   • Always wash your face and remove your makeup before going to bed. If you leave makeup on, you may clog your pores and end up with a breakout.
2. Use a gentle facial cleanser meant for your skin type. There are different types of cleansers available, and some are meant to help certain problems, such as acne, oiliness, or dryness. When choosing a cleanser, avoid anything that is heavily perfumed or colored; it can irritate your skin. Try finding a cleanser that is also exfoliating; it will help buff away the dead skin cells, and reveal the bright skin underneath.
   • If you have dry skin, look for something that says "hydrating" or "moisturizing."
   • If you have oily skin, look for something that is oil-free, or is labeled "for oily skin"
   • If you have acne or blackheads, try using something that says "deep cleaning." These products will flush out the dirt inside your pores.
3. Try not to touch your face too often. This is especially important for those battling acne. The more you touch your face, the more dirt and bacteria you get into your skin. This will lead to more acne and breakouts.
   • Fight the urge to pop any pimples that show up. This could lead to more redness, or worse: scarring. Try using a sulfur-based pimple treatment instead.
4. Use a facial toner and moisturizer. Toners help re-balance your skin's pH and tighten pores. Moisturizers help hydrate your skin. They are great for all skin types, including oily skin.
   • If you have oily skin, try to use a light-weight, oil-free moisturizer.
5. Choose the right foundation. Some foundation can make your skin not only look worse, but also feel worse after you take it off. Sometimes, the way you put on your makeup will also make a different. Be sure to use a foundation suitable for your skin type. Also, try using a face primer before putting on foundation. They help fill in any pores and impurities, and make your skin appear more smooth.
   • If you have oily skin, try to use oil-free, mineral-based makeup. Stay away from cream-based foundation, and reach for the powder or liquid kind instead.
   • If you have dry skin, skip on the powder foundation, as this can make your skin look flaky. Instead, use liquid or cream-based foundation. Try to find something that is also moisturizing.
6. Keep your makeup brushes clean. It may sound tedious, but dirty makeup brushes can spread bacteria onto your face. This may lead to acne, breakouts, and pimples. Clean your brushes a few times a week using soap and water or a makeup brush cleaner.
7. Enjoy the sun, but be sure to protect yourself from it as well. Sunlight is not a bad thing, because it gives you Vitamin D, but too much of it can do your skin a lot of harm. Aim for about 20 to 25 minutes of sunlight a day. Too much sunlight can lead to skin cancer and wrinkles. Here are some tips on how to keep yourself safe from the sun's harmful rays:
   • Wear sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.
   • Try to avoid the sun between 10am and 2pm. It is the strongest during the time.
   • If you are going to spend a lot of time out in the sun, be cause to cover yourself with long sleeves and hats.

Taking Care of Your Body

1. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. This washes away impurities and leaves your skin with a healthy glow. Water will also help hydrate your skin, and make it look more firm and youthful. If your skin looks dull and grayish, you need to drink more water.
   • Green tea is also great for your skin. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help your skin look more clear. Try drinking iced green tea, without any sugar added; hot green tea may increase redness in skin.
2. Be sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep. Sleep is important for both your skin and your overall health. It gives your skin time to heal and replenish itself. Try to sleep on your back, instead of on your side or tummy. This will help prevent wrinkles, puffiness, and under-eye bags.
3. Eat well for healthy skin. Certain foods are not only good for your body, but also for your skin. They contain vitamins and antioxidants that help your skin look healthy. Here are some things you could add to your diet, and why:
   • Healthy fats, found in avocado, fish, nuts, and seeds, also contain vitamin E. Most also contain Vitamin E. They help hydrate your skin, and keep it youthful.
   • Selenium is an antioxidant found in broccoli, eggs, fish, nuts, shellfish, and tomatoes. It protects your skin against cancer, sun damage, and age spots.
   • Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It can brighten your skin and give it a healthy glow. It can also lessen blemishes. You can find it in: blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi, oranges, papaya, strawberries, and sweet potatoes.
   • Vitamin E is found in avocado, nuts, seeds, and oils. It helps slow down aging and makes your skin healthier.
   • Zinc helps repair damage and keeps skin feeling soft. You can find it in fish, lean red meat, poultry, nuts, seed, shellfish, and whole grains.
   • Some foods do your skin more harm than good. Try to eat less, dairy, carbohydrates/white flour, and sugar. These tend to lead to acne, sagging, and premature aging.
4. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to keep your skin and body healthy. Exercising will help increase increase blood-flow to your skin and make it healthy. It may also reduce stress; too much stress can cause your skin to produce too much oil, which can lead to acne. Try going to the gym or enrolling in some dance or yoga classes. If you do not have the time or money, you can always go for a walk or jog around the block.
5. Try to cut back on the stress. Stress can lead to breakouts and acne. If you can, try to set aside some time during the day or week where you relax, decompress, and de-stress. Here are some ideas on what you can do:
   • Take a walk or exercise. This will help your mind focus on moving, rather than what is stressing you.
   • Try meditating. Find a quiet spot, and focus on your breathing. Be aware of your surroundings, but don't focus on them.
   • Listen to some music. If you are musically talented, you can also try to sing or play music.
   • Try doing some arts and crafts, such as drawing, painting, or knitting.
6. Try to quit smoking. Studies have shown that smoking can lead to premature aging and wrinkles.

Using Face Masks and Other Natural Remedies

1. Use shea butter as a moisturizer. It is completely natural, and free of any harmful chemicals. It also tones down redness and inflammation. It can also be very soothing. Simply apply a thin layer of shea butter to your face, as you would any other moisturizer. Take care to avoid the sensitive areas around the eyes and mouth.
2. Make a banana face mask to treat oily skin. You will need 1 ripe banana, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix everything together in a small bowl and smooth it onto your face. Let the mask sit for 15 minutes, then wash it off using cool water.
3. Brighten dry, dull skin with a Greek yogurt mask. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt with 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. Apply the mixture to your face, taking care to avoid the area around the eyes. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.
   • You can add a few drops of lemon juice to brighten your face some more, but you will have to avoid the sun for a few hours afterward.
   • You can also add some blueberries. They are full of antioxidants, which makes them great for treating acne. You will need to mix your face mask in a blender to get everything smooth.
   • You can also use plain yogurt, without any honey, lemon, or blueberries.
4. Try the oil cleansing method. Start with a dry face; your skin does not have to be clean. Mix together some of the oils from the list below, and massage a quarter-sized drop onto your face. Avoid the eyes and mouth. Keep massaging, using a smooth, circular motion, for one to two minutes. Dampen a washcloth in hot water, and press it against your face. Repeat, if necessary, with the other side of the cloth. Use the corners to dab excess oil away from the hard-to-reach parts of your face, such as the nose. You may notice some oily residue, which is normal and actually helpful. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for your skin to get used to this; your skin may get worse before it gets better. Here are some combinations to get you started:
   • If you have oily skin, use 1 part castor or hazelnut oil and 2 parts sunflower, grapeseed, or sweet almond oil. Hazelnut and sunflower oil are a great combination for acne.
   • If you have combination skin, use 1 part castor or hazelnut oil and 3 parts sunflower or any other oil.
   • If you have dry skin, go for pure avocado, apricot kernel oil, jojoba, or grapeseed oil. Use very little to no castor oil. Keep in mind that jojoba oil may clog pores.
   • Avoid using coconut oil or olive oil. Both tend to clog pores, which leads to breakouts.
5. Make a face scrub to brighten and clarify your skin. Instead of going out to buy a face scrub, you can try making your own at home. You might even have most of the ingredients in your pantry. Simply combine the oil and salt or sugar in a small bowl. Mince the fruit or vegetable of your choice, and add it in. You want to use just enough fruit or veggies to thicken the scrub, but not so much that it becomes clumpy. Massage the scrub onto a damp face for a few minutes, then rinse it off using warm water. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Here are some recipes to get you started:
   • To make a moisturizing mask, you will need 2 parts salt, 1 part olive oil, tomato pulp.
   • To make a clarifying mask, you will need 2 parts sugar, 1 part safflower oil, and peeled kiwi.
   • To brighten your skin, you will need 2 parts sugar, 1 almond oil, and strawberries.
   • If you have sensitive skin, try making a soothing mask. You will need 2 parts brown sugar, 1 part avocado oil, and peeled cucumber.

Tips

• Consider seeing a dermatologist. He or she will be able to prescribe medication that can help your skin
• The ingredients in flavored toothpaste (such as cinnamon and strawberry) can lead to skin irritations. If you have acne around your mouth and are using a flavored toothpaste, try switching to a plain one.
• The air inside your home can affect your skin. If you have dry, flaky skin, try getting a humidifier. If you have acne and your home is very dusty, try getting an air purifier.
• Check your hair products if you have acne or irritation near your hairline. Products that cause these things tend to contain mineral oil, beeswax, or microcrystalline wax. Water-based products tend to cause the least irritation.
• Some medications, like antihistamines, diuretics, and antidepressants can cause dry skin or acne. If this happens to you, speak with your pharmacist or doctor, and see if you can take an alternative instead, or get a lower dosage.
• Don't keep your hair dirty as dandruff in hair may lead to breakout of acne.

Warnings

• Everyone's skin is different. What works for your friend may not work for you.
• Some facial cleansers need to be used a few times before you start seeing any effects. If nothing happens at first, do not throw away the product. Give it a few more tries.
• If you get an allergic reaction to a product, mask, or scrub, stop using it immediately.
• The type of water you have at home may affect your facial cleanser. For example, soft water doesn't rinse very well, while hard water prevents soaps from lathering. If this happens to you, try using less cleanser, or going for one that doesn't lather as much

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Sources and Citations

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