Properly caring for your skin does not have to be a laborious process that requires an abnormal amount of energy to maintain. No time for that, thank you very much.
You can very easily improve your skincare routine with DIY skincare techniques that require nothing but a few contemplative questions and a willing disposition. We believe in you, and we know with a little TLC, you can (and will) achieve a glowing, hydrated complexion.
The Benefits of Caring for Your Skin
Caring your skin has a much larger scope of impact aside from the surface-level benefits.
Though improved skin health is a significant benefit of routinely caring for your skin, you will also notice improved self-confidence and reap the mental health benefits of a DIY skincare routine.
Improved Skin Health
The most obvious benefit of caring for your skin is improved overall skin health. A byproduct of healthy skin is improved skin appearance including a reduction in acne spots and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), an increase in skin hydration, a reduction in the early signs of skin aging, and more.
If you suffer from acne (50 million Americans annually), atopic dermatitis (1 in 10 people), psoriasis (7.5 million Americans), rosacea (16 million Americans), or one of the many common skin conditions or diseases, there are a few DIY skincare routine tweaks you can make, in addition to dermatological consultations, that can make a world of a difference to your skin health.
Improved Self-Confidence
Clichés are clichés for a reason. “When you look good, you feel good,” while regularly overused, has serious merit. The clear, radiant complexion resulting from a simple, DIY skincare routine can boost confidence and improve self-image.
InStyle magazine conducted a survey with their readers to answer many of their editor’s burning questions about skincare, skincare regimens, and self-image as a result of skincare. The results revealed that 76% of readers felt positive sentiments about their self image when their skin looked good.
A warm smile, a casual conversation, reconnecting with an old friend, a parent teacher conference… We use our face for countless interactions throughout the day. Regularly caring for your skin with a DIY skincare routine will ensure you put your best face forward, regardless of your social calendar.
Improved Mental Health
A study conducted on the behavioral practices of humans and animals revealed that rituals and routines contribute to a reduction in anxiety and stress over time.
Routines do not have to be complicated; in fact, something as simple as a daily DIY skincare routine can instill feelings of comfort and stability to improve the quality of your mental health.
Routines create order from chaos and provide a sense of stability that births an environment from which positivity can thrive. Regularly caring for your skin with a daily and nightly routine can lay the foundation for improved mental health over time.
How to Improve Your Skincare Routine
Your skin has three layers: the epidermis (the outer layer), the dermis (the middle layer), and subcutaneous tissue. Only the very outer layer of the epidermis is visible to the naked eye, but there are lots of fun things happening below the surface.
Your stress levels, what you put in your body, and your environment contribute to the overall health of your skin on a cellular level. Topical skincare products are important to target specific skin conditions on the epidermal layer of your skin, but there are a handful of DIY skincare tips that can impact skin function and the visible appearance of your skin.
Manage Stress Levels
If only it were that easy! Life causes stress and stress causes more stress in a seemingly never ending, vicious cycle of mental gymnastics.
Take a minute: how are your stress levels? Do you feel overwhelmed with your task list? Or, are life circumstances weighing you down? Sometimes we don’t realize an elevation in baseline stress levels until we feel claustrophobic in our own skin. According to Mayo Clinic, common signs of stress are:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Recurring sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Overeating or undereating
- Social withdrawal
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- And more.
Stress has a significant impact on your skin health. Acne breakouts, rashes, and hives are common physical skin symptoms of excessive stress levels. At the end of a particularly stressful season of life, you may notice that your skin clears up, your appetite regulates, and you sleep like a little baby.
If you are currently in the thick of a stressful phase of life, there are activities and practices that are proven to reduce cortisol levels and improve your quality of life. Deep breathing, massage therapy, yoga, relaxing music, and tai chi are a few of the most popular relaxation techniques.
As your stress levels decrease, your quality of life will increase and your overall skin health will surely improve.
Monitor Humidity Levels
At any given moment, healthy skin is composed of 10-30% water content, which includes water content from the atmosphere, sweat, and the underlying layers of skin. To prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) your body produces a bevy of natural oils that seal in water and act as a natural moisturizer.
Well hydrated skin minimizes water loss and effectively protects the lower layers of skin from external allergens and irritants. When the skin barrier is damaged, or you lose water content faster than it can be replaced, the result is dry skin or xerosis. Dry skin can trigger psoriasis breakouts and cause the skin to crack, bleed, or break out in acne spots.
Humidity is a wonderful friend to your skin. Higher levels of humidity can replace skin moisture lost from various factors including the natural TEWL process, drying products or ingredients, and more. Optimal home humidity levels sit between 40% and 60%; regulating your home humidity levels to any number within this range will help your skin retain moisture improving dry, sensitive skin and improving the visible signs of aging.
Assess Your Diet
Diet has a major influence on our overall health and well-being. In fact, diet has been directly connected with the development of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
As it pertains to skincare, the consumption of sugary and fatty foods, dairy products, and beverages with high sugar levels can trigger acne breakouts, especially if your skin is prone to breakouts. What you eat can very literally appear on your face!
Take a gander at your diet. Are you frequently consuming high sugar or processed foods? Do you eat a lot of yogurt or drink a lot of milk? Do you enjoy a daily Coke or Sprite with your meals? A few, small changes to your diet can make a world of difference to your skin’s overall appearance.
Benefits of a Humidifier for Skincare
Regular use of a humidifier as a DIY skincare technique is an incredible tactic to improve skin hydration and prevent TEWL.
The benefits of regular humidifier use are wide-ranging and include:
