Evi AbelerEveryday habits can make a huge difference on your skin's appearance, overall health and natural glow. We're talking Jennifer Aniston, Lupita Nyong'o and Olivia Munn status.
Giving your skin the hydration, nutrition and protection it needs doesn't have to change the way you live your life. In fact, you'd be surprised how much these tiny adjustments can impact your skin for the better. Here are seven healthy habits to help your skin be at its very best! Our fabulous resident health expert and former model Candice Kumai shares some of her easy, effortless tips and tricks.
1. Drink more water
Water naturally brings life to your body's largest organ, your skin! Try a large glass of water first thing every morning to flush out your body of toxins. Get smart and carry a "green" reusable bottle you can refill and keep at your desk and definitely ditch that soda for water. Feel good about hydrating and keeping it green.
2. Add more super greens to your smoothies and less sugar
It's simple to blend up a clean green smoothie in the AM before work! Try adding one cup of kale or spinach, one teaspoon of spirulina powder or a packet of super greens to your next smoothie. Cut down on the sugar in your smoothies. No sweeteners are needed! Just use fresh fruit, balanced with greens, super-boosters like probiotics and unsweetened almond milk. Blend up these beauty smoothies in place of breakfast for a few weeks and watch your skin glow!
3. Exercise!
Exercise helps to improve your body's circulation and helps to reduce crazy stress! Exercise can also contribute to tighter and younger looking skin. Um, hello, fabulous! Who says you can't have it all?
4. Take OFF all of that makeup and sleep
Leaving makeup on overnight (ick!) can contribute to clogged pores and increase inflammation, which may lead to skin aging. Remember that a clean, fresh face every night is a beautiful face. Allow your skin to breathe at night. Speaking of, make sure to clock eight hours every night to prevent inflammation on that gorgeous face of yours!
5. Be gentle to thy skin
Try using a gentle and natural olive oil to remove your makeup. Don't over-wash your face. If you wake up in the morning with a clean face, you may not need to wash it. Use soft cotton to remove eye makeup or your clean hands to wash as needed. Don't over-irritate your skin; give it a gentle hug and be kind to it.
6. For glowing skin, try eating less sugar and less carbs
Recent studies show that there may be a link to carb- and sugar-loaded processed foods and increased inflammation and acne. This is the year to start cutting out sugar, so why not make it a healthy habit? You may just see your skin start to clear up and your energy levels skyrocket! I personally am a believer in this method, and it's a simple habit to work with! Make sure you are getting more nutrients and fresh foods into that beautiful body and less empty carbs and sugar! Look better, feel amazing! [Ed. note: In her newest book, Clean Green Eats (HarperCollins/HarperWave), she also keeps us in-the-know on how to glow through green eating.]
7. Keep that eye cream cold!
Placing your eye cream in the fridge may help to soothe the under eye and relieve puffiness leaving you feeling oh-so-smart and relaxed. Simple, small tips with big, beautiful benefits!
Bonus: Wear SPF every day
My girlfriend, Julie (who looks ah-mazing), once told me the secret to her anti-aging was simply wearing sunscreen over a moisturizer every day! Make sure to wear a light SPF on your face and neck daily and be sure to stay out of the sun. I know, we all love laying out at the beach, but honey, if you want to age gracefully, limit time in the sun. Wear SPF 15+ for best results. Don't have a sunscreen? Look for a fresh and high-quality BB cream with SPF, vitamins and minerals for all-day protection and a natural glow!