Your skin is one of the first things people notice about you – and the appearance of your skin not only helps you make a great first impression, but it’s a strong indicator of your overall health. Your skin is your body’s barrier from the outside world, keeping you safe from infection and regulating your overall temperature, so it’s incredibly important to keep that barrier healthy and strong.

There are tons of things you can do to keep your skin looking and feeling great, even if you’ve never paid much attention to your skin care before. Incorporate a few of these tips into your daily routine and get the glowing, radiant skin you’ve always dreamed of.

Use sunscreen.

Keeping your skin healthy isn’t just about making sure it’s moisturized and clean. You also need to protect it from any damage, and there’s nothing more damaging for your skin than the sun. One of the best ways to keep your skin looking youthful is by limiting your exposure to those harmful rays, so if you’re planning to spend a day in the sun, slather on the sunscreen and cover up as much as possible. Coat your face, neck, and ears with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 – and wear a hat, if you can. Your skin will thank you.

Pamper yourself.

A facial massage is a great way to rejuvenate your skin and get it looking fresh and bright – and it’s also a fantastic opportunity to relax and unwind. Just a few minutes of facial massage each day can help keep your skin tight and even minimize the appearance of lines. With a little bit of oil, use light pressure to sweep away under-eye puffiness, soften worry lines on your forehead, brighten up your cheeks, and even strengthen your jawline. Not only does this help keep your face looking young and stress-free, it will help you feel more relaxed, too.

Steam it up.

Even if you can’t get to a steam shower, you can steam your skin at home by simply boiling some water, pouring it into a bowl, and enjoying the steam with a towel over your head. This simple practice opens up your pores and helps draw dirt and excess oil out as you start to sweat – making this an especially effective routine if you suffer from acne-prone skin. If you can get to a sauna, even better! You can see the benefits of steaming your skin all over your body, and enjoy some of the other great benefits of steam at the same time.

Watch what you’re putting in your body.

Whatever you eat definitely shows up on your face – so make sure you’re getting the vitamins you need to boost collagen production, fade scars and acne spots, and keep  your skin tone even. You can take supplements of Vitamin C and E, but it’s better to get these naturally by eating healthy foods. Don’t forget about water, either – when you’re dehydrated, your skin will look dull and even start to flake or crack. Keep on top of your nutrition and your water intake, and see how it changes the look and feel of your skin.

Stick to  a routine.

Once you’ve figured out what your skin needs and which products or techniques work best for you, make it a part of your daily routine. Put your moisturizers and toners next to your bed, leave make-up remover and sunscreen somewhere you’ll see it and remember to use it, and set aside a certain amount of time every morning and evening to practice your skin care routine. It’s not hard to maintain once you’ve made it a regular habit, so keep it up and see how your dedication can pay off.

Even making just one of these small changes can have a huge impact on how your skin looks and feels, so incorporate as many as you can to see your skin transform. Having radiant, glowing skin not only looks more attractive, it helps keep you feeling young and gives you a boost of confidence every time you look in the mirror. It’s easy to fight the signs of aging when you have strong, healthy skin.

By Jon happysitewriter.com