Radiant skin speaks a story about your life. It’s a sign of good habits, clean eating and a healthy, balanced mind. Of course there are products you can apply to look like you’re glowing, but a highlighter can never make you look lit from within. When it comes to skin, lifestyle matters. Because a glowing complexion isn’t just a sign of beauty, its a symptom of great health.
Eat Right and Well
I have been on a diet only once in my life and I lasted… two days. Weight loss diets make you cranky, hungry, and tired. You will never look radiant when you’re starving. But, on the other end of the spectrum are appallingly poor food choices.
I read somewhere that every time you eat you’re either creating or fighting disease. And this is so true. I’m not saying that you need to be on a diet of chia seeds and avocado toast, but eat normal, home cooked food. Throw in a salad and some fruit. Add a 1,000 mg vitamin C supplement and Omega 3-6-9 capsule for good measure.
Remember by eating healthy and supplementing you are investing in your skin 10 years from now. So if you want to look good in your 30s, you need to eat mindfully now.
Use Vitamin C serum
I find vitamin C serums are the best to clarify, de-pigment and boost radiance. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, so when you wear it under your sunscreen it also fights environmental pollution. But, always check the percentage.
It should be at least 10% (if you’ve just started), but I like 20% vitamin C for a real boost. I recommend Obagi Professional C Serum 20% - it’s what I use everyday. And you only need to use vitamin C once a day.
Drink Water
It’s not an old-wives tale. Having written on wellness and beauty for over 15 years I can tell straightaway when a person doesn’t drink enough water just by looking at their skin! There’s no point patting on moisturiser if you’re not hydrated from within.
And if you drink enough water, you’ll find that you don’t need moisturiser - I never use it. It’s just a question of developing the habit. Aim to drink three litres of water a day. So one bottle before lunch, one after, and one around early evening. Add a few slices of cucumber or lemon if you find it extremely difficult because this makes water far more palatable. Your water will also get more electrolytes when you add a piece of fruit. This means that it will be absorbed better by your body.
Exfoliate
Actually if you eat healthy, drink enough water, and stop smoking your skin won’t even need exfoliation. But every once a while it is good to give your skin a little rubdown!
You can use a super-gentle everyday scrub like Kama Ayurveda’s Mridul Face Cleanser or Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant. If your skin is acne and breakout prone then use an acid toner or peel pad. I love Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction pads, that really clarify and smoothen the face. But if you are using an acid exfoliant always, always use sunscreen.
Finish With Face Oil
At night mist your face with rosewater and then, when your face is damp massage in a few drops of face oil. This will add hydration and lipids - two things that your skin is made of. If you have acne prone skin, there’s nothing better than Decleor Aromessence in Rose D’Orient, which also helps fade acne marks. And if you have dry skin go for Purearth Illumine Face Elixir.
(Vasudha Rai has been writing on beauty for more than 15 years and is the former beauty-director of Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. She blogs at www.vbeauty.co)
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