HAPPY NEW YEAR
THE YEAR FOR HEALTHY SKIN
Admit it even you still occasionally sleep in your makeup, forget to use sunscreen or put off seeing your dermatologist for a full body skin check-up.
1. MOISTURIZE AFTER SHOWERING
We all know a warm shower strips skin of oils. It is a must we moisturize after bathing but we sometimes forget. One easy fix: Keep body lotion right in the shower. Seeing it will remind you to apply it when your skin is damp, within ten minutes of turning off the water.
2. WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY
Dermatologists will tell you to wear sunscreen every day with a minimum SPF of 30 and reapply as needed. They do have sun protection wipes for an easier application.
3. TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP AT NIGHT
You know that makeup can mix with skin oils and dirt to cause pimples. But at the end of the day you are just too tired to take the time. Avoid this situation by washing your face as soon as you get home. If that is still too tiring then use an organic cleansing pad to simply wipe it off.
4. EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
A baby’s skin replenishes itself completely every 14 days, but by age 30, an adult takes a full 28 days to replenish. With all that extra time, skin cells have a chance to dry out and lose luster—unless you jump-start the renewal process by exfoliating. Use a gentle face scrub once or twice a week.
5. TREAT YOUR HANDS WITH CARE
To keep both your nails and hands from dehydrating, forgo antibacterial gels and instead choose moisturizing lotions. Do not use soaps with sulfates in their formulations. When applying sunscreen don’t forget your hands. Keep a good supply in your house and the glove box of your car. Even with UV-protective auto glass damaging rays penetrate and they will age your hands.
6. CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES
Makeup and skin oils build up in your brushes creating a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause irritation. Makeup brushes should be cleaned once a week, but most of us don’t. Instead, wash your brushes monthly with a liquid hand soap or baby shampoo and lukewarm water (hot water can cause bristles to fall out), then rinse well, squeeze out the excess water, reshape, and allow the brushes to dry thoroughly by balancing them over the sink. Weekly, spritz them with an antibacterial and dry with a tissue.
7. DON’T PICK AT YOUR FACE
Yes, it’s tempting to squeeze a pimple, but just the act of touching your face with your fingers brings pore-clogging oil and dirt to the skin. Keep your hands busy, especially if certain times of day trigger the urge. When you do give in, applying over-the-counter hydro cortisone cream right away can help calm inflammation and prevent long-lasting marks.
AND DON’T FORGET TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DERMATOLOGIST TO CHECK FOR ANY CHANGES IN YOUR SKIN OR MOLES YOU MAY HAVE.
Until next time and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Linda Irwin Hurley, Founder
Nourish Your Skin
