The Power Of Daily Rituals
Taking good care of our face every day is easier if we cultivate skincare rituals into our daily lives, that can apply all year round, regardless of the constantly changing weather. While most skincare tips suggest cleansing routines that are easy to follow. But, there are lots of hidden factors, which can definitely make or break even the strictest of regimens. Here are some amazing skincare rituals to incorporate in all year-round.
photography, Natasha Gerschon
makeup, Samara Elster
hair, Duyen Huynh
photo assistant, Alyssa Minten
Eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables every day
Fruit and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that help to protect skin from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals, smoking, pollution and sunlight can cause wrinkling and age spots. In fact, Betacarotene is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin and lutein. It is also found in kale, papaya, and spinach, which are also potent antioxidants, important for normal skin cell development and healthy skin tone.
Get enough vitamins
Zinc is involved in the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands in the skin (which produce oil) and helps to repair skin damage and keep skin soft and supple and a key asset in skincare rituals. Vitamin E protects skin from oxidative (cell) damage and supports healthy skin growth. Foods high in vitamin E include almonds, avocado, hazelnuts, pine nuts and sunflower and corn oils. Vitamin C is also a super antioxidant. It is needed to support the immune system, promote radiant skin and help blemishes heal properly. The best sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen that strengthens the capillaries that supply the skin.
clean your phone daily
Hard as it may be to disconnect from phones entirely, dermatologists will be the first to tell you these devices are doing a number on your skin. If your fingers are tapping on a mucky screen all day, and you have an itch on your forehead, or you rub your entire face when 2 p.m. makes you tired, you can only imagine the bacteria nestling into your pores and wreaking havoc over your complexion. Your phone can be bad for your skin, so you might want to switch to speaker the next time there’s an incoming call and start cleaning the surface daily.
Get ample sleep
A lack of sleep promotes systemic inflammation, which wreaks havoc on the skin. Limited sleep increases cortisol levels, which impairs collagen synthesis and repair. Sleep is a time of repair and regeneration, for both the body and skin. Adequate sleep is necessary for the liver’s natural detoxification process, which is critical for skin health. Since we’re all biologically unique individuals, this varies and depends on the individual. But generally speaking, 6-9 hours seems to be the optimal range.
Avoid stress
In isolation, mild forms of stress have little impact on the body. However, frequent or chronic exposure to stress can trigger adverse side effects. One approach is to work with lifestyle factors to minimize the impact of the stress, by: engaging in regular exercise, a balanced diet, therapies such as mindful meditation and finding ways to laugh and experience joy regularly.
Always sleep on a clean pillowcase
According to Dr. David E. Bank, director and founder of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, pillowcases can be the cause of acne mechanica, as they can transfers dirt and oil to your skin. “Acne mechanica is any type of acne that is the result of material or objects touching your face. When your pillowcase isn’t laundered or changed regularly, a build-up of dirt and oil from the environment as well as your skin and hair touching the pillow is transferred back to your skin. This can clog pores and cause blemishes.”
add an antioxidant serum to your daily routine
Abundant research has shown that topically applied antioxidants have a unique ability to intercept this kind of environmental attack and halt accelerated aging in its tracks! Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and ubiquinone are just a few of many antioxidants that can defend against the visible effects of pollution. Select antioxidants have the unique ability to improve the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone and deliver a more healthy-looking complexion. Vitamin E is one such antioxidant, and it’s particularly effective for brightening skin. Vitamin E comes in many beneficial forms, such as ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, and others.