3 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today to Improve Your Skin

With our busy lives, it can be hard sometimes to practice self-care and fit in our perfectly tailored skincare and beauty routines.

While you’re out there living your best life, it’s still possible to prioritize looking after yourself and even embed it into your daily routines. If you’re struggling in particular to look after your skin and you’ve noticed new spots, dryness, or oiliness, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our best self-care, lifestyle, and skincare advice – all rolled into one.

Cut Back on Alcohol for a Radiant Complexion

Fewer young people are drinking or drinking heavily in a trend that’s been accelerating in recent years. If you’re not one of those people, you might want to consider at least cutting back your consumption because it can boost your skin.

You might have noticed that your skin is puffy and pale or red after a night out, and that’s because of the effects of alcohol. Booze may contribute to the dilation of blood vessels under our skin, giving it that pink appearance. It also draws moisture out of the skin as well as the rest of our body – so as well as feeling physically dehydrated, your skin will look and feel dry.

Over time, this can lead to fine lines and wrinkles – dryness is a key contributor to these signs of ageing. So while having a few drinks once in a while is fine, make sure you rehydrate your skin the next day and don’t overdo it.

Exercise Boosts Your Skin

We know that exercise keeps our cardiovascular system healthy and can reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, but there’s mixed feedback on whether it’s good or bad for the face. Some say the increased blood circulation is beneficial, while others argue that running can give you a sagging jawline. We’re here to set the record straight.

Any form of exercise is good for the skin. Sweating helps pores to purge the nasties inside of them, leaving them healthy and clear – as long as you wash that sweat off before it dries. And while we’ve all heard about the dreaded “runner’s face”, exercise is actually anti-ageing. This is because it improves our skin’s mitochondria to the point where it acts younger – and this results in a higher collagen production.

You don’t need daily intense sweat sessions to reap the skin-boosting benefits of exercise. A cardio or strength-training session a couple of times a week combined with plenty of walking and gentle aerobic exercises like yoga are just what the derm ordered. Be careful when exercising outdoors – the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer, so load up on SPF and use a tanning water to get a healthy bronzed glow instead.

Get Plenty of Sleep For Plump Skin

Like exercise, sleep is essential for regulating our mood and staying healthy. And while a lucky few with the “short-sleeper gene” might be able to get by on fewer than the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep a night, that lack of shut-eye will be wreaking havoc on your skin.

Whether you’re someone who can live on less sleep than others or you’re struggling with your sleeping patterns despite your best efforts, it’s affecting your skin. A lack of sleep raises stress levels, which can trigger inflammation – a big enemy of our skin. It’s this inflammation that can lead to a breakdown of collagen and even increase acne.

If you’ve ever suffered one particularly bad night’s sleep, you’ll know how quickly it can affect your under-eyes. Dark circles and bags can be triggered by one bad night, but they can stick around much longer if you’re continuously not getting enough sleep. So do your skin a favor and make sure you get that shut-eye.

A good skincare routine is essential for a healthy, smooth complexion. But it’s not the only thing that can impact our skin. If you’re drinking too much, not exercising, and not getting enough shut-eye, there’s only so much your serums and eye creams can do for you. Focus on getting these lifestyle factors right and, combined with your skincare routine, you’ll have the best skin of your life.