When it comes to taking care of the skin — less is more. Instead of resorting to quick-fixes and products offering ‘magical solutions’, focus on diet and lifestyle — two components which require consistent effort and discipline. They define the quality of our skin, and do not require us to spend any money. Here are some golden rules of skincare, as explained by Ritika Sharma, the founder of House of Beauty.
For many, working out can be intense practice that requires equipment and a few hours. But. a 45-minute walk or 30-minute HIIT workout can turn things around not just for your body but also for your skin. In fact, it is more than enough to get you to sweat and pump your adrenaline up.
“Working out isn’t just to get you fit, it improves blood circulation, allowing for better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This keeps the skin glowing and helps in anti-ageing,” Sharma says.
Hydration is key
From reducing puffiness and preventing acne to flushing out toxins and preventing premature ageing — there is little this element cannot cure. “Don’t just drink water with the intention to hydrate but also to heal,” says Sharma. Make sure you consume at least 2-3 litres of water and add a lot of fresh fruit juices to your diet.
If you can’t get yourself to follow a timely routine to hydrate yourself, install a water app on your phone to give you reminders. “One important thing to note, however, is to make sure to avoid drinking water 30 minutes before and after a meal to maximize nutrient absorption,” she says.
Curb your sugar intake
Cutting out processed sugar in coffee, desserts, biscuits, carbonated drinks and more, can be a hard task but it has the potential to drastically improve the energy and quality of sleep.
By reducing the insulin spike in the blood, cutting out sugar also prevents inflammation on the skin. “Not only that, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating 100 grams of sugar in any form can lower the white blood cells’ power to fight bacteria by 50 per cent,” shares Sharma. Now more than ever, it’s essential for us to do what it takes to keep our immunity levels at an all-time high.
