Your skin can be left looking dull and lifeless due to poor diet, a bad skincare regime or simply through ageing. Many people try to cover up damaged or dull skin with make-up, rather than actually treating the skin condition itself, which can in turn cause further skin problems such as spots and irritation.
So, it is essential that you treat the skin itself instead of covering up the problems, as this will help it to appear healthy and radiant again. Here are the three most important steps to follow for a naturally glowing complexion
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Image via Nico Paix
1. Choose the RIGHT cleanser for you
To revitalise and rejuvenate the skin you should use a good cleanser which is appropriate for your skin type - what works for your friend may be doing more damage than good on your own skin, because our skin types are all so unique. Dry skin needs a moisturising cleanser for example whilst oily skin needs one that controls shine, not adds to it.
You should cleanse your skin
every morning and night (no matter how late you get home or wake up!) to remove bacteria and dirt on the skin, unblocking pores to help to prevent acne and keep your skin wonderfully fresh. No matter what your skin type, you should ensure that when washing your face with a cleanser that you use lukewarm water as hot water will dry out and irritate the skin.
2. Moisturise, even if you have oily skin
Moisturising the skin can help to repair damaged and dry skin to leave it feeling hydrated and nourished. You should use a moisturiser on your body and face every single day as this will rejuvenate lifeless skin, transforming it into a radiant glow. Even those with oily skin should be mositurising as not doing so will leave to your skin compensating by over-producing sebum, which is what causes shine.
Image via A Magill
3. Change poor diet and lifestyle habits
This last step could be argued to be the most important - no matter how perfect your skincare regime is, if it's not being fed the right nutrients from the inside too it won't be looking good, believe me. A poor diet and lifestyle can lead to dull skin and can cause signs of ageing such as wrinkles and dark under-eye circles to appear earlier.
Avoid junk food and alcohol as much as possible, replacing them fruit and vegetables that are bursting full of skin-enhancing vitamins and nutriens. Additionally, unhealthy habits such as smoking and not sleeping enough can damage to the skin - more so, in fact, than eating unhealthy. Smoking can prevent vital nutrients from entering skin cells even though you're eating them, leaving the skin lifeless and dull. Not sleeping enough leaves the skin looking tired, and can aggravate conditions such as eczema and acne.
Which of these do you think is most important for achieving radiant skin?