(Not So Secret) Secrets for Better Skin (Guest Post)

I didn't exactly win the hereditary lottery. I have oily skin and humongous pores and I break out from time to time. I've tried just about every cleansers, toners, serums and creams that promise younger-looking and glowing skin. While others work to some extent, some are just complete wastes of money. One thing I've learned, you can take good care of your skin without spending a lot of money or time. In fact, most of what you can do to improve your skin, you may already be doing. Here are simple habits you can adapt for great skin.

Protect your skin against UVA and UVB rays by slathering on sunscreen

The number one way to prevent premature skin aging and skin cancer is by applying sunscreen. It's important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If you're going to be outdoors all day, make sure to re-apply your sunscreen every two to three hours as its effectiveness usually only lasts about two hours.

Nix the cigs

We know that smoking is bad for our health. It increases our risk of cancers, heart diseases, diabetes and infections. Yet, we find it extremely hard to kick the habit for good. I wonder if we'd feel differently if smoking's bad effects were a bit more obvious. Smoking causes premature aging and wrinkles, it damages the DNA in hair follicles resulting in thinner hair, it stains teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for gum diseases. Quitting smoking is not only good for our overall health but for our appearance as well.

Sleep your way to a gorgeous skin

Why spend on expensive beauty products when the most natural and effective skin care treatment is free? Don't under-estimate the power of a 7 to 8-hour sleep. Our skin renews itself while we sleep. Our body goes into repair mode and old cells get replaced by new ones. Also, sleep reduces the stress hormone, Cortisol in our body, making us feeling refreshed and glowing in the morning.

Exercise - it's good for your skin

Exercise increases our levels of beta-endorphins, improving our circulation and making our skin glow. It also decreases our cortisol levels, keeping our stress in check, thus reducing dryness, acne, and wrinkles.

Drink lots of water and eat healthy

Dehydration can make your skin look dull, wrinkled and dry. Drinking enough fluids increases blood flow to the skin. Healthy eating also plays a significant role in maintaining youthful and beautiful appearance. The right foods can enhance your skin's natural beauty, shield your skin from damage, help fight acne, reduce redness and minimize wrinkles.

Less is more

Unless you have oily skin or a skin condition like acne, you only need to cleanse your face in the evening. Too much washing will likely dry and irritate your skin more, causing your face to produce more oils and making conditions like acne even worse. Same with exfoliating, scrubbing can make your skin look rosier but it also thins it, exposing sensitive skin underneath. This makes your skin more prone to sun damage. Scrub only once a week.

I'm sure there are many other ways to improve your skin. If you have other suggestions, please do share!

Stay beautiful, lovelies!

About The Author

Hannah is a healthy living enthusiast, a lipstick addict, and mom to 5 cute furry babies. She runs http://www.myclaimsource.com, a website dedicated to offering free health insurance resources.