Our skin has to go through a lot day to day. Whether it’s harsh products, extreme weather, or the high levels of air pollution in cities like Singapore, all the things we experience can have a harmful effect on our complexions.
It’s tempting to try to counteract this with expensive treatments such as facials and exfoliants, but these can be damaging and abrasive, stripping our skin of its natural oils. As the largest organ of the human body, it’s essential to look after our skin as best we can. So instead of subjecting it to yet more artificial ingredients, why not embrace a gentler and more natural approach? This post will explain how you can improve your skin’s complexion using three all-natural methods.
Drink More Water
Most of us will know the importance of hydrating our skin – but this doesn’t just mean wearing a moisturiser. The best and most natural way to boost our complexion is to drink more water. Like the other organs in our body, our skin needs water to function. It helps increase its elasticity, replenish tissue, and flush out toxins. If we’re dehydrated, our skin can become dry – and even start to age prematurely.
You may have heard that we’re supposed to drink 8 cups of water a day. Research suggests we should actually be drinking as many as 15 and a half! This can be hard to remember in our busy lives. Try and leave a reusable water bottle somewhere you’ll notice it throughout the day. Whether that’s on your desk at work, in your car, or your bag and keep it topped up. You’ll find it easier to stay hydrated on the go.
Use Natural Products
Do you know what all the ingredients in your skincare are? The majority of products on our bathroom shelves contain chemicals we can’t even pronounce, let alone explain what they do. Sulfates, parabens, and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) are still used in thousands of items from exfoliants to shampoos. Despite the fact they’ve proven to be dangerous, companies will put them in their products.
These ingredients can all do more harm than good, so make the switch to skincare brands that pledge to use safe and natural ingredients instead. New Zealand-based Okana Skincare and brands like it sell products that are exclusively made from fruit and vegetables – with the philosophy that if you wouldn’t put something inside your body by eating it, why would you put it on your skin?
Get 7-8 Hours of Sleep a Night
Dull complexion, dehydration, dark circles under the eyes – we all know that a lack of sleep can manifest itself on our skin. This is because our skin cells begin to rejuvenate overnight, with the majority of repair occurring during the stage of sleep known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM). If you haven’t had enough REM sleep, your cells won’t have the opportunity to replenish themselves and fight any signs of damage from the day before.
You can give your skin a helping hand by making sure you get the best night’s rest possible. Avoid caffeinated drinks at least three hours before you go to bed (try herbal tea instead) and wear a sleep mask if your room isn’t dark enough. Enjoy 7-8 hours of good quality shut-eye, and your skin will thank you for it. After all, it’s not called beauty sleep for no reason.
So why not try out these three natural remedies for yourself? Ditch the damaging chemicals, and you could soon have a smoother, brighter, and less blemished complexion!
