Nesrien Abdelkader
It’s never too early to start investing in your skin’s health. Although it’s totally natural and nobody should be ashamed to show signs of ageing, taking good care of your skin is important for more than just its appearance. Your skin is part of your body, so keeping it healthy will have you not just looking great but feeling better as well. So, here are a few ways to make your skin feel better than ever and help you maintain your glow!
*The following are off-the-shelf products, but seek professional advice first*
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Even if you don’t burn, sunscreen should be an integral part of everyone’s skincare routine. Not only does it help significantly decrease your risk of skin cancer, but it also helps prevent premature ageing caused by the sun. Signs of ageing from sun damage can include wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. Brands like La Roche-Posay and Vichy offer lightweight coverage for daily use that will help block the sun’s UV rays. There are also many lines of sunscreen for kids and adults by Nivea and Banana Boat, and they’re all available at your local pharmacy.
Use Products Like Retinols and Hyaluronic Acid
Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and vitamins C and E when shopping for skincare products. Each of them has been shown to significantly improve the appearance of skin. La Roche-Posay has recently released a Hyalu B5 Serum for repairing and plumping, and it’s available online and in stores.
Sleep on a Satin Pillowcase
Avoiding any unnecessary trauma to your skin will help tremendously in the long run. One easy step is to swap your regular pillowcases with silk or satin ones. The smoother surface can reduce friction against your skin, which prevents wrinkles caused by constant pulling on it. Silky fabrics also absorb less moisture than cotton, meaning they will not absorb as much of your nightly skincare serums and moisturisers as your old pillowcase, which means less acne-provoked skin. You can find ones like this pillowcase on Amazon or Jumia or shop local brands like Braes.
Apply Self-Tanner Instead of Tanning
Laying out on the beach and catching some rays is definitely relaxing. But excessive sun exposure can cause serious damage to your skin barrier. So don’t overdo it and opt for some self-tanner if you still want to achieve that perfect bronze glow. Kim Kardashian has hyped up this St. Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mousse, and local brands like Joviality make more affordable options.