Many people share the goal of healthy, glowing skin. As a result, we turn to skincare rituals to help ensure we maintain the health of our skin as we age and protect our skin from the effects of the elements. While a regular skincare routine is indeed crucial to keeping your skin youthful and glowing, there are several other things you can do to achieve clean and healthy skin. Below are eight tips you can add to your daily routine that may help you achieve clear and healthy skin.

Supplement Your Collagen

As we age, the way our bodies produce collages changes. In youth, collagen is one of the most plentiful proteins in the body; however, our collagen stores deplete with age. Collagen helps your skin cells adhere to one another and gives your skin natural strength and elasticity. As collagen levels in the skin decline with age, wrinkles and sagging occur. Incorporating collagen supplements into your diet can help improve the health of your hair, nails, and skin. Research shows that taking hydrolyzed collagen peptides helps support natural collagen levels while supporting skin elasticity, collagen density, and hydration.

Care for Your Gut

Problems with your stomach (from digestion to imbalances) can lead to several skin problems, including blemishes. The relationship between the health of our gut and skin health is complex. In short, remember that if something isn’t healthy for your gut, it is likely unhealthy for your skin. Therefore, highly processed foods or sugary foods that may lead to an imbalance of your gut flora can also lead to inflammatory processes in other areas of the body. In time, these can present on your skin.

Get Enough Exercise

The skin is the largest organ in your body, and just like other organs, it needs blood flow and oxygen. Exercise helps increase blood flow to the skin, transporting vital nutrients and minerals to the skin. Staying active and following an exercise routine will inevitably lead to healthier, glowing, and better looking skin.

Drink Enough Water

We have all been told to drink water. Drinking water is essential not only to skin health but to the overall health of all body symptoms. Staying hydrated helps your skin stay healthy and moisturized. There are many recommendations for "how much water" to drink. Unfortunately, there isn't necessarily a magic number, and the "right" amount is different for everyone. It’s important to listen to your body and take its cues for hydration. Remember, if you feel thirsty, you need to drink.

If You Smoke, Stop

Smoking has many harmful effects, including those that impact your skin. Smoking leads to many skin issues, including poor oxygenation and wrinkles. Research shows that smoking effectively speeds the aging process, contributing to crow's feet, lines between the eyebrows, grayish skin, uneven complexion, "bags" below your eyes, and wrinkles around the mouth. Also, nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes affect your skin cells. Nicotine causes the narrowing of blood vessels, which affects the ability to carry oxygen to your skin. This can lead to skin damage and reduced elasticity.

Get Enough Sleep

Poor sleep or not enough sleep will affect your skin health. Studies suggest that poor sleep can increase visible lines and wrinkles. It also decreases the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Getting enough sleep allows your skin time to heal and regenerate from the effects of the day.

Choose the Right Temperature

Washing your skin with water that is too hot can strip your skin of natural oils that are vital to your skin barrier. Overly warm water can also cause skin dryness and patchiness. Although hot water is not good for your skin, cold water is not helpful either. Water that is too cold will not help you adequately clean your skin leaving behind bacteria and dirt.

Reduce Stress

Although easier said than done sometimes, stress is a key contributor to many skin-related challenges. Chronic, unmanaged stress can lead to breakouts, inflammation, and signs of premature skin aging. Finding ways to reduce stress, such as engaging in an enjoyable hobby, practicing self-care, or even exercising, will not only help your emotional health but your skin health too.

In addition to healthy skin care and other ways to keep your skin healthy, treatments focused on skin health at Upkeep Med Spa are highly beneficial for your skin. At Upkeep Med Spa, we offer a wide variety of non-invasive skin care treatments designed to improve your skin's texture, elasticity, and appearance. Contact us today if you would like to learn more about facials, laser treatments, injectables, and other treatments available at any of our locations.