10 ways to have beautiful skin

While it is true that the aging process cannot be stopped, skin experts believe that there are many things we can do to delay and slow down aging. So no matter what age you are, you can learn the basic techniques to have beautiful and healthy skin.

1. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Studies show that cigarette smoking can double the fine lines on your face. Smoking also decreases your cell’s oxygen content and slows down the skin’s ability to repair itself. Constant puffing will cause wrinkles to form around the mouth area. Similarly, alcohol can damage your blood vessels and dehydrate the skin. Heavy drinking can result in puffy and wrinkled skin, giving your skin a dull and lifeless look.

2. Be weather-conscious. Do you know where our smoothest skin is located? It’s usually found in the buttocks area. This is because our backside is often protected from harsh weather, sun, and dirt. Skin can be damaged by very hot or very cold weather. Strong wind, dust, and pollution cause wrinkles to form in your face. If you’re using public transportation, go for those aircon buses. By all means, avoid riding a motorcycle because the wind, sun, and dust will damage your beautiful skin.

3. Get enough sleep. Sleeping and resting are the easiest way to boost your energy. At night, try to go for eight hours of sleep. This will help your body regenerate and give you a vibrant-looking skin.

4. Limit stress. Stress and too much work are factors that hasten the aging process. If you’re a workaholic, it is possible that your calendar age is 40 years old, but you already have the arteries of a 55-year-old. Conditions like diabetes and heart disease can age you faster than normal. Some experts estimate that having uncontrolled diabetes can make you 10 years older than your calendar age.

5. Clean your face. After a long day, you should clean your skin thoroughly. My wife, Dr. Liza, uses cotton balls dabbed in an alcohol-based astringent to clean her face. Cleaning the face will remove dirt, leftover makeup, and dead skin cells. This will actually not lead to dryness but rather a vibrant and clean look.

6. Moisturize your skin. After cleaning your face, you can use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizer is especially helpful if you have dry, flaky skin. The cheeks and neck areas are the usual dry areas, while the eyebrows and nose area are the usual oily areas.

7. Be gentle. When touching your face, like washing or applying cream and makeup, be sure to use gentle strokes. The skin around the eyes is particularly thin and prone to wrinkles. Use light, upward strokes, rather than dragging your skin downwards. As we age, the loss of skin elasticity and the pull of gravity cause our skin to sag.

8. Use clever makeup. Choose makeup products containing UV filters and skin-nourishing ingredients. Use the latest light-reflecting kinds of foundation, concealer, and powder. These products bounce off light and make your skin look younger and smoother.

9. Eat wisely. Eat lots of colorful fruits, vegetables, and salads. Choose high-fiber foods. Drink 10 glasses of water to keep your skin hydrated and firm. Foods with vitamins A, C, and E are beneficial for the skin. Vitamin A, found in carrots and spinach, repairs skin tissues. Vitamin C is used for collagen production and keeps the skin firm. It’s found in citrus fruits like oranges, dalandan, and pomelo.

Lastly, it’s wise to consult your favorite dermatologist. Our skin experts from the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) can help you find safe and effective treatments for your skin concerns.