Essential Lifestyle Tips for Great Skin

Lifestyle Tips for Great Skin

Our skin is our largest organ... so it's little wonder that our lifestyle factors can affect the skin we're in.

Chances are – if you're feeling great, you're also looking great (woot woot!).

Aaand the opposite is often true, if you're feeling dull, you're probably looking dull too, (Uh oh.... hellooooo makeup and lippie!)

Your skin can tell a lot about your age and health. So - let's jump in and have a look at some everyday things you can do to look your best!

Hydrate - from the inside

Skin cells contain water, so lack of hydration will show itself in the form of tight, dehydrated skin that's therefore more prone to fine lines.

Drinking water seems simple enough but we need to be aware that it will go to our internal organs before reaching our skin – so keep your hydration up throughout the day where possible.

I often have two litres of water (including a few well-deserved cups of tea) each day. One simple way to stay on top of hydration, is to keep a big bottle of water with you and make sure it's empty by the end of the day.

Hydrate – from the outside



Always use the best quality skincare for your skin type – ‘all natural’ of course! A gentle cleanse each day (I say gentle because you need to avoid stripping your skin of its own natural protection) and follow with a hydrating mist and moisturiser.

Exfoliating twice a week can also help your moisturiser be more effective as it helps to shed that outer layer of dry and dehydrated skin. Needless to say, I love my Seven Islands Hydrating mist and always follow it with Hydrate and Renew. Every. Single. Day. Both are packed with hydrating and anti-aging goodies such as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants and it shows ;-)

Want some of what 'she's' having? You can get your hands on the duo right here.

Sun Protection

This is a funny one... because in the short term, a tan can give us the look of a healthy glow... yet in the long term sun exposure can cause sun spots, pigmentation and a leathery look. (Where's the justice?!)

I'm the first to admit I used to be a ‘sun bunny’... but those days are long gone. These days, if I have a day in the sun, I plaster on the sunscreen and sometimes even zinc. Always opting for the most natural I can find.

Daily, however, is another story for me – I am yet to find a daily SPF moisturiser that keeps my skin looking it's best... and I've tried a LOT. I prefer to opt for my favourite moisturiser (you know it, Hydrate and Renew duo!) followed by makeup that has a sunscreen built in, for my day to day.


Exercise

Regular exercise is a part of a healthy lifestyle, and it promotes circulation all over the body, including the skin. Circulation is how your body removes toxins and delivers oxygen and nutrients to our cells, helping to keep our body and our skin healthy.

Having a gorgeous puppy helps me get outside daily for a splash of sunshine and exercise. Do something you enjoy and no need to overdo it – do something that makes you happy and you’re more likely to stick to it.

Nutrition

GAH! A minefield in today's world so I will only focus on 'nutrition' here and not 'diet'. I am talking real food, vitamins and minerals. The more REAL food we get, the healthier we will be on the inside and of course on the outside – hello glowing skin!

Load yourself with fruit, veggies, whole grains, protein as well as including healthy fats and oils. I know that I feel and look my best when I'm organised and have stocked my cupboard with nutritious food, which stops me reaching for unhealthy choices. Turns out to be cheaper too... the more I prepare food at home, the better I look and so does my bank account!

Anybody who knows me, knows I love chocolate but also that I have an intolerance to dairy. This is where balance and choice come in, keep it sensible and recognise that treats are treats – and if you're going to have them, enjoy them!

Smoking and alcohol

Both are known to be inflammatory and full of toxins. If you want to live a longer and healthier life, we all need to cut down on these – it's a no brainer, but let's stick to why we're here... your skin!

We all know that alcohol is known to be dehydrating (and yep, aaaall the way to your skin) but did you know it also deprives the skin of vital vitamins and nutrients, causing your skin to look lifeless and dull? Ugh.

Inflammation and redness (rosacea) can also be made a lot worse by drinking. Ever had rosy cheeks from drinking or know someone who does? That's what I'm talking about.

Then there's smoking, which leads to premature ageing and wrinkles, and can also give the skin an unhealthy yellow pallor. Smoking impairs blood flow to your skin, which means not as much oxygen and important nutrients can flow to those skin cells!

Cigarettes also contain thousands of chemicals that damage collagen and elastin, which are fibres that give your skin its strength and elasticity.

Of course then there is our beauty sleep… my favourite time of the day...

But wait! BEFORE You Sleep...

You'll often hear me say that 'sleeping is healing' because it’s one of the first things I learnt about health and it’s just so true!

Right before bed is a great time to apply moisturiser to clean skin, along with your favourite serums and/or oils. Why not make bedtime a luxurious experience?!

I love a night time skin treatment, but I’m not going to lie – I’ve ruined a few pillow cases by lathering on the oils, so maybe use an old pillowcase or cover your pillow with a small towel on these nights that you go the extra mile with your skincare.

Ok, ok…. now you’ve popped on your favourite skin treatments….

You’re ready for your beauty sleep!



We all know about those dark circles and bags under the eyes that show up when we don't get enough sleep. This is thanks to a breakdown of collagen and a lack of nutrients flowing to the skin, as well as all our organs that we should have been repairing while we were sleeping.

Weak and tired skin cells are also less resistant to stresses such as sun exposure, and other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Many experts say 8 hours is ideal, however, we are all different and you’ll know what’s right for you. Personally, I’d never say no to a 10 hour sleep, yet I know people who are quite happy with just six hours.

Whatever it is that’s right for you - try to ensure your sleep is as calm and restful as possible and you’ll wake up positively glowing! And if not… grab that lippie!

Stress

Stressful settings can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health, right down to the cellular level. This is why stress can show on your skin as mentioned earlier with dull/aged skin, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, and many other stress related conditions.

What makes you feel happy? What ways do you like to relax? Try to laugh each day, exercise each day, perhaps try your hand at yoga or meditation. For me it’s taking a bath or having some cuddles with my beautiful puppy.

Another great way to reduce stress is to be grateful, focus on what you do have, rather than what you don’t have… and remember, if you’re reading this, you were lucky enough to wake up this morning, so let’s make the most of the day we have ahead!

Written by: Anne Marshall