Even if we feel it on the inside, looking happy and healthy isn’t quite as easy as many of us would hope. Whether you’re looking to make your skin look brighter or your hair more lush, the fact is that it’s difficult to know what is going to take us to that next level, especially when it feels that we’re already doing everything right.
If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone. People have been finding new and inventive ways to improve their complexions for thousands of years, with our current understanding of skincare and what works best for individual people being based on generations upon generations of research/trial and error. This also means that, if you’re going through a difficult time with your skincare, we’ve had a long time to work out how to fix whatever issues you may be experiencing.
Today, we’re going to take a quick look at some ways that you can fix some of the issues that can lead to a tired, lacklustre look and bring out a healthier, happier you.
Avoid Air Pollutants, Especially At Home
We all know the terrible impact that smoking can have on your skin, bringing with it the restriction of blood vessels, the loss of elasticity in the skin, and several other factors that lead to premature ageing. However, what we think about less is the other pollutants that we find ourselves surrounded by on a daily basis. Especially for those of us that live in highly urbanised areas, air pollutants like smog, debris, dirt, exhaust and other airbourne unpleasantness can take its toll over time. The issue comes from these pollutants changing the skin’s defensive barrier, leading to everything from uneven skin tones to dark patches to, unsurprisingly, acne.
The unfortunate truth for most of us is that we can’t escape air pollutants, as they are a part of our environments, especially for those of us in big cities. So, rather than avoiding them entirely, we need to find ways to keep our skin as clean and free from pollution as possible through regular cleaning and maintenance. From at-home care options like retinol and detoxing clay masks to the more effective options like getting a facial in Melbourne’s CBD, taking care of your skin and removing these toxins on a regular basis will allow you to stay on top of any issues before they start to show.
Remember Your Teeth
Whilst most advice tends to revolve around the skin in terms of looking healthy, there is a number of different factors that go into how happy and healthy a person looks, such as our teeth. The teeth play a major role in how we’re perceived, and if you put all of your effort into maintaining your skin but don’t take the time for dental care, you’re going to regret it in the long term. So, make sure you brush and floss daily to avoid decay or gum disease, and if you experience any kind of discolouration due to your diet, there are many at-home tooth whitening options to choose from.
Keep Clean
Surprisingly, despite people’s many efforts to keep their skin and hair looking flawless, the thing that often poses the biggest hurdle for them is the simplest. Each day, sweat, dirt, dust, toxins, dead skin cells, and a variety of other things build up on our skin, which can quickly start to make us look tired and dull. Not only that, but failing to clean all of this off on a regular basis can lead to more intense skin issues, such as recurring acne and infections. To prevent all of this from becoming an issue, wash your face with water at the start and end of the day, and try to have a shower or bath at least every other day. If you’re cleaning yourself using chemicals, try to avoid a large amount of fragrances as these can also lead to skin irritation.
Eat a Balanced Diet
As with most areas of health, what you get out will inevitably start with what you put in. Nutrients are important for every part of your body’s continued growth, development and repair, and so it’s important that you’re maintaining a balanced died that is providing you with all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that you need. This can be difficult for a variety of reasons, such as food allergies or a busy schedule, but there are ways to get around these.
For example, if you find yourself time poor and can’t make yourself a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, one fantastic option is meal prepping. For those that haven’t come across the term, meal prepping is the process of making yourself meals in advance and storing them, usually through either freezing or refrigeration, until you need them. This means that you can make a lot of food at once, rather than having to make smaller meals several times a day.
It can be hard to keep up with your body’s needs and stay looking your best, but it’s worth the effort. All of the topics discussed above are great ways to regain your confidence, and keep yourself looking and feeling great. Good luck!
