10 Ways to Get Perfect Skin in 2 Weeks.
1. Determine Skin Type
The first step to addressing your skin is to determine whether yours is oily, dry, in between (normal), or a combination of dry and oily. Dry skin usually feels taut and tends to flake. People with dry skin will have small pores (they may not even be visible) and often complain of itchy skin. Oily skin, on the other hand, feels greasy to the touch and tends to be shiny. People with oily skin will have large, visible pores. Normal skin falls in between the extremes of dry and oily, with pores that are moderately sized and often not visible (except after exercise in some cases). Normal skin is supple and smooth. Most people fall into the combination category, with oily skin in the T-zone (nose and forehead) and normal or dry skin elsewhere.
2. Clean, Tone, and Moisturize
When you clean your skin, do so gently using just your fingers and soap or a mild exfoliant. People with dry or oily skin will do well with an exfoliant. After cleaning your skin, pat it dry (never rub it) and apply a toner. Toners help to reduce wrinkles and strengthen skin. Finally, if you have dry skin, apply a moisturizer advertised as “noncomedogenic,” which means it won’t worsen acne. People with oily skin generally don’t need moisturizer, except in dry winter months. As a side note, a few drops of fresh lemon juice make an excellent toner.
3. Wear Sunscreen
The sun is the single biggest threat to your skin. It can worsen acne, accelerate the effects of aging (more wrinkles and spots), and even lead to skin cancer. Wear a sunscreen that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays and that is rated at least an SPF 15. There are many sunscreens on the market designed to accommodate different skin types, so choose one that is right for you.
4. Always Remove Makeup
Makeup is for covering your skin, not for improving its health. In fact, makeup can damage the health of your skin and the longer you leave it on, the worse its effects can be. You must remove makeup every night, all the way down to clean skin. Makeup that needs special chemicals for removal is probably doing more damage to your skin than makeup that comes off with soap and water.
5. Eat Well
A diet high in fruits and vegetables and with fewer processed grains will provide you with all of the right vitamins and minerals for good skin health. Avoid eating too much sugar, greasy foods, and red meats. Caffeine is okay in moderation, but don’t overdo it. Lycopene, found in tomatoes and watermelon, can reduce redness and fight wrinkles, so eat up.
6. Exercise
Exercise increases the flow of blood to your skin, which helps your body remove waste. It also releases endorphins and reduces levels of hormones known to negatively impact skin structure. Exercise has even been shown to improve acne. As an added bonus, exercise can leave you with a rosy glow that lasts hours after your workout is over.
7. Wash Pillowcases Frequently
Pillowcases are something people tend to forget about. They wash them, but often not regularly. You don’t have to wash all of your bedding every week, but you should wash pillowcases at least that often to reduce bacteria that can cause breakouts. Washing pillowcases weekly will also improve the quality of your sleep, which is another factor in having healthy skin. Be sure to sanitize your phone at the same time. Anything that spends time near your face needs to be as free of bacteria as possible.
8. Consider Retinol
Retinol, or vitamin A, actually helps your skin repair itself faster and speeds the rate at which your skin grows. In other words, retinol causes skin to turn over faster so that you always have fresh, new skin cells on the surface rather than old, dry ones. Retinol also boosts collagen production, which can help to reduce wrinkles. You can see results in as little as two weeks with some products.
9. Avoid Hot Water
Hot water causes your skin to dry out and can even cause mild burn. The result is red, scaly, and even swollen skin that can take as much as two hours to recover. Warm showers are okay, but you don’t want to see steam wafting up around you.
10. Wear Sunglasses
The skin under your eyes is thinner than the skin on almost any other part of your body. As such, this skin is more prone to damage. Wearing sunglasses provides more protection for the skin around your eyes than sunblock ever could. Not only do glasses shield the skin from the sun, they prevent you from squinting in bright light, which also helps to prevent wrinkles.
Caring for your skin is a lifelong process. The tips above are designed to get you up and feeling good in just two weeks, but the best thing you can do for your skin is to take care of it day in and day out. Treat your skin well to keep it looking healthy and beautiful your entire life. What are your secrets to perfect skin?
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