Nurse Allysen Kelly is a stickler for skin care routines (have you seen her skin?!*) and shares her secrets to keep your skin looking young and healthy throughout the year.
Life on the west coast includes an array of climate conditions, from dry heat, humidity, and chilly winters. These temperature fluctuations and the ever changing moisture in the air can wreak havoc on our skin. Here are my tips to keep skin glowing no matter the season.
- Keep your skin moisturized from the inside out by drinking more water, at least 8-10 cups a day (64-80 ounces or 2-2.5 liters).
- Always moisturize with a facial lotion containing SPF 30+. It doesn’t matter if you live in an overcast city or bright sunny beach town, SPF is non-negotiable skin product. If you are prone to acne breakouts, avoid oil based lotions (creams) and stick with lightweight oil-free products (gels).
- Exfoliate once or twice a week. The best (and cheapest) exfoliators are homemade sugar/salt scrubs. You can tailor the mix to fit your skin type. Try soft brown sugar and avocado oil for sensitive skin or rough black lava sea salt and coconut oil for the deepest exfoliation. Feel free to add fruit or veggies to the mix to increase moisture (pineapple) or soothe and calm (cucumber). These work wonders on chapped lips too!
- Thermal (also known as micellar) water sprays are considered a staple for Asian and European skin care routines. Thermal/micellar water is naturally occurring mineral-enriched water found in hot springs. Minerals in the water (chloride, hydrogen carbonate, sulfate, carbon dioxide, iron, and sulfur to name a few) may improve skin conditions and have other health benefits.
- Diet, exercise, and stress exposure affects our skin, too. We know that stress increase the production of cortisol which in turn causes inflammation that can affect our skin (acne breakouts, dryness, redness, premature aging). So relax, eat healthy, and exercise often!
I am a firm believer that prevention is an investment worth making. Skin is the largest organ in the body and deserves your attention. It’s never too early or too late to develop healthy habits–these tips are for all ages!
If these basic skincare tips aren’t working, consult your primary care provider or dermatologist. Some people might benefit from prescription medications or cosmetic treatments.
*
Allysen after working night shifts and providing kid care (yes, she’s a mom, too!).
We are all following her year-round skincare tips at NurseGail.com.
The post Year-round Skincare Tips (including thermal water!) appeared first on Nurse Gail.