The Secret To A Perfect Complexion

Having a perfect complexion is a dream come true for many people. Many try all kinds of regimens and have read almost every magazine and blog post about the secrets of perfect skin, but have never gotten any closer to that. This is despite drinking lots of water, putting on sunscreen, and removing makeup just before bed. Although most people (myself included) follow some of these tips to the letter, they still suffer from dryness, sensitivity, acne, and breakouts.

Taking proper care of your skin, following the right dieting regimen, and exercising regularly can, however, help you have smooth and radiant skin.  The key to a perfect complexion lies with how well you take care of your skin, among other things.  You only need to make it a habit of caring for it to experience many of the remarkable benefits. You will even never have to worry about premature aging, dry skin, or acne breakouts.  Outlined below are the top 10 skincare solutions for that perfect complexion, courtesy of Kate Somerville.

1.         Apply Sunscreen Daily

Kate advises against leaving your skin exposed to direct sunlight for too long. Most skin-related conditions are caused by prolonged exposure to sun rays and UV rays.  UV radiation affects the skin by causing skin cells to degrade while affecting how well the body produces elastin and collagen. With the body unable to produce enough elastin and collagen, your skin starts getting wrinkles, stretch marks, and is even vulnerable to breakouts.

Applying some sunscreen each time you head out, however, protects you from these harmful rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF for the best results. Don't just use sunscreen when headed to the beach or in summer; do this every day, which includes deep into winter when the sun doesn't seem to appear. UV rays penetrate even the darkest clouds. This will also help you avoid freckles and other pigmentation. However, if you are heavily pigmented then try http://www.dore.sg/pigment-removal/

2.         Use The Right Skin Care Products

Get to know your skin type first before using any skin care or beauty product.  Is your skin dry, oily, or a combination of the two? If determining your skin type seems too much, you can then seek the services of a dermatologist for help. According to Kate, the dermatologist should be able to identify your skin type, as well as any other blemish you may have. For instance, some people may have an oily forehead with dry cheeks. In this instance, you will be required to use two different products to achieve the best results. Proper hydration is the key to a perfect complexion, she says.

3.         Exfoliate

You should exfoliate at least two times in a week. It is by exfoliating that you get to remove dead skin, excess oil, and dirt that may be keeping the pores clogged. Individuals under the age of 30 should exfoliate at least twice per week while those older need to exfoliate 3 or 4 times depending on the need. One of the main advantages of exfoliation (besides removing dead skin cells) is it also helps stimulate increased blood flow to the skin.

According to Kate, the best exfoliation formula is made of fruit enzymes and gentle to the skin. You need to stay away from products with sharp seeds, and nuts, for these do bruise or damage the skin. Natural enzyme-based exfoliating formulates work by dissolving the dead skin thus making it relatively easy to remove efficiently. She also recommends exfoliating with steam, as steam helps keep the skin warm and well moisturized. ExfoliKate is one of the products she recommends.

4.         Work On Your Neck Too

The neck needs to be taken care of properly as well. The same elements that affect your face affect it as well. It would therefore be advisable to use the same products you use on your face on the neck as well. This includes the moisturizer, sunscreen, and massage. Be sure to massage the neck using an upward motion to create a lifting effect. Remember to moisturize every day just before going to bed and after waking up.

5.         Use Filtered Water

Drinking plenty of water is a sure way to ensure skin cells are properly hydrated. While this is essential, you may want to know what impurities or chemicals your drinking water contains. Although the local water supply may claim it is fit for human consumption, Kate recommends taking the extra step to filter the water as well. A home water filtration system should make the work much easier, and is affordable too.  Asking your water supplier for data about contents in your water could be helpful as well. Nevertheless, adding a home purifier or filtration system should help remove certain impurities and metals. Some chemical and toxic materials may, however, be hard to filter out.

6.         Be Careful With Coffee, Alcohol, and Dairy Intake

Although some foods may seem healthy, they may be the reason you have acne breakouts or any other skin condition. Dairy products, for instance, can trigger or worsen acne. Heavy coffee intake, on the other hand, could dehydrate the skin leaving it vulnerable to stretch marks. Alcohol, on the other hand, causes aging over time, hence should be taken with caution. To be on the safe side, consider going for red wine (rich in resveratrol) as it combats aging signs, as well as reduce coffee intake to just two cups per day.

7.         Take Vitamin Supplements

Vitamin supplements are essentially needed for proper skin cell development and a smoother skin. Some of the supplements you need to focus on include:

a.         Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essentially needed to facilitate skin repair, as well as reinforce cell membranes and tissues.  This protects skin cells against viruses and bacteria. Vitamin A also helps prevent skin wrinkles, flaky and dry skin, and acne.

b.         Calcium: Calcium is needed for proper cell development and good health. It also helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging signs.

c.         Vitamin C: Vitamin C is largely needed for the formation of collagen. Collagen is the main compound responsible for skin elasticity and tissue recovery. It also helps fight free radicals.

d.         Flaxseed and fish oil supplements: These are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are needed to promote cell hydration and enable cells to hold on to moisture. These work together with hyaluronic acids for a smoother skin and even complexion.

8.         Double Cleanse

Makeup is only meant to mask some of the skin blemishes you might have. This, however, doesn't mean you should sleep in your makeup. Make it a point to remove makeup the first thing before going to bed. You'll also need to do a double cleanse and especially if had applied heavy makeup. Double cleansing ensures all the dust and impurities are removed entirely.

9.         Pop That Pimple Properly

While you shouldn't pop a pimple open, you'll need to pop it correctly if you have/need to. You'll need the right supplies to get this done. First, you will need a cleanser, exfoliator, cotton swabs or tissue, washcloth, Neosporin, and witch hazel.  The procedure involves first cleaning the area, exfoliating, then squeezing blackheads gently with cotton swabs. You can then move to whiteheads gently to remove the blemish underneath it.  Squeeze the base of the blemish to get rid of the infection.

10.       Get Facials Regularly

Just because you have the right skin care products and routine at home doesn't mean you are doing everything right. You need to seek the services of a competent aesthetician once in a while.  Getting facials regularly will help address areas and issues you probably cannot handle correctly. According to Kate, one should get a facial at least once in 6 weeks.  You may need to get facials more often if you have a blemish, such as an acne infection.  Seeing a dermatologist to help treat a particular skin condition would also be recommended before getting the facials.