Uneven Skin Tones: 8 Habits to Adopt for Clear Skin
One of the more common struggles physical health is maintaining smooth, healthy and tight skin. Our skin is much like a mirror; it reflects everything going on in our life from stress, diet, and mood, to internal health and even temperature. With it being our outermost layer, it can take a pretty heavy beating from our day to day activities, resulting in patches of rough skin, painful flushing or dark, uneven tones.
Factors that heavily influence the appearance and overall health of our skin:
Single and multi use plastics that range from bags to water bottles and food containers
Common proof of purchase items: receipts, movie tickets, transportation boarding passes, food labels. The levels of BPA and BPS in the ink and paper are extremely toxic. Bisphenol A and S, respectively, are chemical compounds used to make hard plastics and synthetic fibers and do not corrode easily, polluting the environment.
The sun is notorious for being both a radiant source for Vitamin D, but also a prime suspect for harmful UV rays which over time can cause deep blotching of the skin.
Harsh weather conditions such as icy winds, hard rain and very dry heat can also cause harmful effects on the skin that may be hard to cope with.
Washing skin with water that contains fluoride or other heavy metals
Diets high in added sugar and heavily processed ingredients
Fortunately, many of these risks can be avoided with a few minor adjustments to our lifestyle and behavior. Practice a few of these to build repetitive habits that will lead to clearer, healthier skin:
Drink water. As cliche as this is, (filtered) water will always help to heal the skin. Our outer layer of skin is our oldest layer, so liquids help keep this layer elastic and tight, and prevents cracking and discoloration. Hydrating liquids with natural sugars like coconut water/milk or citrus and melon juices can help satisfy your body's demand for water as well.
Shower with filtered water. Water softeners and water heaters, while providing comfort, often come with a good amount of micro metal fragments that should be filtered out before it touches your skin.
Avoid constantly touching labels and receipts. Because the ink can only be printed on one side, you can avoid it by grabbing it lightly with two fingers and carrying it in your pocket or wallet.
Be sure to use hydrating lotions and oils that lock in moisture if you plan to be outside. Even on cloudy days the sun can cause sunburn and dry skin. Invest in a good suntan lotion and shea butter as well.
Your body puts out what you put in it. Having a clean and well balanced diet will send all good nutrients to the skin. Blemishes, acne and even scarring are often the results of imbalanced eating.
Switch to glass for food and liquid storage. Glass is sustainable and fully recyclable and if made the right way can limit toxic chemical exposure.
Develop a healthy skin care routine. If you dont have Vitamins A, C and E oils, as well as Hyaluronic Acid in your regimen, it may help to add them. They all work to keep proteins and fats in your skin operating properly, and play major roles in keeping skin bright and reducing scarring. It also does not hurt to exfoliate your entire body at least once a week to get rid of dead skin.
Avoid constantly touching your skin. Whether it is your face, elbows, or inner thighs, hyperpigmentation is often the result of your melanin cells kicking into overdrive because you rub, scratch or play with your skin. Keep your hands off yourself!
While it may not be easy to immediately quit or start new habits, your skin will definitely thank you once your routine becomes interrupted. Healthy skin is your birthright. Claim it.
