4 Good Habits for Healthy Skin

Taking care of your skin involves taking care of your overall health and not just relying on skin-directed treatments. To maintain youthful-looking skin and radiant complexion, here are 4 good habits that you can cultivate:  

1) Be sun smart

This is the key in sunny Singapore. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes premature skin aging, wrinkles, and pigmentation. It breaks down collagen in our skin, which causes a loss of facial volume resulting in deep lines that physically age a person’s looks. UV radiation also increases the risk of certain skin cancers. Remember to use sunscreen – we recommend one with an SPF of 30. Your sunscreen should be applied over facial moisturiser.

Not all sun exposure is bad. Sunlight is responsible for the production of vitamin D, which is important for maintaining good health. The intensity of sun exposure is especially high between 10am to 2pm, while early morning sun is much gentler. We recommend that my patients take a vitamin D supplement if they require it, rather than expose themselves to noonday sun. 

2) Eat the right foods and supplements

A well-balanced diet is essential for healthy, fresh, and radiant skin. Make sure you have a balanced diet with enough protein (from plant and animal sources), iron, zinc, and omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids. Oily fishes such as tuna, salmon, and sardines, as well as flax seed, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Drink plenty of water as well.

Incorporate some antioxidants into your diet. These are substances that mop up damaging free radicals, which cause skin damage and ageing. Vitamin E is a good antioxidant, as are substances such as beta-carotene (which the body converts to vitamin A), and other carotenoids such as lycopene. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant known as polyphenol. Beta-carotenes are found in papayas, carrots, pumpkin and spinach. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene. 

3) Treat your skin right

Moisturise your skin regularly, particularly if you have very dry skin and underlying conditions such as eczema. Moisturisers are important because they keep the skin hydrated. Excessively dry skin is much more prone to irritation and inflammation, and this can result in itchy rashes. The skin can also develop a cracked appearance, especially on the legs.

Moisturisers come in several formulations – gels, creams, lotions, and ointments. Gels and lotions are more suitable for those with oilier skin, whereas creams and ointments are better for those with drier skin. One tip for people with dry skin on the face is to use a hydrating serum first, before applying a moisturising cream or lotion. This may help to lock in more moisture so that the facial skin does not develop flaking or scaly rashes. Do not use harsh soaps or very strong cleansers for showers. Also, try to avoid long showers, which tend to dry out the skin further.

4) Healthy lifestyle

Finally, the key to healthy skin also means getting sufficient rest and avoiding bad habits such as smoking. Developing and maintaining good habits requires discipline and some determination. Start these habits now and you will be rewarded with better looking skin in due time!