Everyone now desires gentler, glowy, and acne-free skin. But, with our busy life, irregular eating habits, insufficient sleep, and environmental pollution, attaining that kind of skin can be challenging to some, if not most people. Ask any beauty experts, and they will tell you that the key to a luminous complexion skin is not found in the dab of a compact powder. So, in quest of a healthy, beautiful complexion, we have rounded up the six natural ways for you to try:
1. Nourish Your Skin with Virgin Coconut Oil
The last thing that probably springs to your mind when thinking about coconut oil is spreading it all over your face. But recent discoveries by dermatologists are bringing the plant’s potential to light. Oils extracted from mature coconuts serve as an effective moisturizer as it helps to rebuild skin barriers, fight antimicrobial agents and prevent skin from ageing.
Did you know that staying up late at night is enough to allow unwelcome visitors to camp under your eyes? Well, it is a good thing that virgin coconut oil can help reduce dark under-eye hollows and hyper pigmentation. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities, which help reduce eye puffiness, making your skin look brighter the next day.
2. Avoid Taking Long Hot Showers
Steam and heat can indeed open your pores and unclog toxins. But washing your face with hot water for more than a few minutes will strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it looking weary and drab. Try to limit your skin’s exposure to overly hot water and opt for a warm bath instead.
Showering with lukewarm water is ideal as it does not dry out your skin. It is also recommended to run some cold water over your body near the end of your shower to tighten your pores and lock in moisture.
3. Use a Mineral-Based Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreen will stay on top of your skin, shielding it from everything bad for your skin. In addition, it absorbs damaging UV rays, so your skin does not have to. If you wish to glow like the sun, be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen, otherwise, your face will be wrinkled in just a few years!
A good place to start is looking for active components such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These chemicals operate as a barrier to protect your skin from UV damage and skin cancer. If other ingredients such as aloe Vera or aqua are present, bear in mind that they are not for sun protection. Therefore, it is important to know the key ingredients before purchasing one.
4. Consider Taking Collagen Supplements or Foods
Collagen is the most prevalent protein in the body, making it vital in maintaining your body’s functions. It helps in wound healing, skin ageing, skin elasticity and hydration. Consider it glue that holds everything together. Unfortunately, though, our bodies start to produce less collagen as we age naturally.
If the idea of consuming supplements does not dwell well on you, you can opt for a more natural approach. The most effective technique is to eat a well-balanced diet. Consume foods high in amino acids, vitamin C, zinc, and copper to acquire the nutrients you need. For amino acids, consider eggs, beans, and meat. Vitamin C is found in berries and bell peppers, while zinc and copper are found in nuts and whole grains.
5. Apply Aloe Vera to Keep Skin Healthy
Surprisingly, this “common” houseplant is a miraculous wonder plant that is often hiding in plain sight. Aloe vera is packed with antioxidants, enzymes and vitamins high in anti-inflammatory properties. It is one of the most natural sunburn treatments used by many. Applying this gel to the skin provides a protective barrier and aids in moisture retention.
The antioxidants and minerals help the body to repair faster. Unlike regular, market-bought soothing gel, Aloe vera also helps to treat burns, cuts, and other minor injuries. This is because Aloe Vera accelerates wound healing and minimizes healing time. It also promotes skin cell reproduction and is famously known for penetrating the skin’s outer layer faster than water.
6. Get Your Beauty Sleep
Sleep may be the closest thing to a fountain of youth when it comes to your beauty regimen. When you sleep your body repairs and rebounds; resulting in a fresh look. The goal is to obtain enough rest between 7 to 9 hours per night.
Getting enough sleep can also help in the reduction of dark circles. When you are exhausted and sleep-deprived, the blood in your body collects beneath your eyes, giving you a panda-like appearance. Though the look is cute for pandas, it is not made for humans, and you do not want that on your face.
The bottom line is, yes, it is easy to get sucked into the world of infinite skincare regimens that promise you beautiful, glowing skin. But sometimes the secret to such complexion isn’t that far off- it lies just in the depts of your own kitchen cupboard. You only have to learn how to look.
About the author;
This article was written by guest author Sharifah Aisyah.