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This article was written by Bongiwe Mati.
Healthy and radiant skin can boost one’s self-confidence, leaving you feeling good and full of energy.
While some may be blessed with good genes that make their skin retain its radiance without much work, some of us have to be careful about what we eat, what we do, and many other factors that may affect our skin.
When trying to revive your skin to regain its natural glow, it is important to understand that what works for some people might not work for others, as our skin types are different.
Below, we’ve compiled five researched natural ways to elevate and maintain your skin’s radiance.
- Drink lots of water – The importance of water for your skin cannot be stressed enough. For the skin to function well, studies show that it has to be nourished by drinking about 8 glasses a day. “The connection between drinking water and having healthy skin is still ongoing, but at least one 2015 study concluded there’s a strong link between drinking more water and having healthier skin,” adds the health-related information hub Healthline.
- Take care of your gut – If you think what happens inside your body does not affect your skin’s outward appearance, you’d better think again. Research studies have proven that complexities in the gut can affect your skin’s appearance in many ways, reports the wellness information hub MindBodyGreen. “Overall gut health is nuanced and complex, and it’s important (for so, so many reasons) for everyone to take the time to learn how to care for and nourish your own unique gut flora,” adds the hub.
- Avoid smoke and secondhand smoke – By exposing our skin to cigarette smoke, we are allowing it to absorb different kinds of chemical toxins, research shares. “This increases the oxidative stress in your skin cells, leading to prematurely aged skin,” shares Healthline. The hub adds that your skin should be a good reason to quit smoking.
- Shorten your showers – If you, just like me, take long warm showers, you might have to think twice before jumping into your next one. As much as the heat and steam from the water are good for the skin, as they open up pores allowing our skin to breathe and rid it of toxins, long showers can also strip oil away from your skin resulting in dry and dull skin, notes Healthline. By taking shorter showers or lowering your water temperature, you would be avoiding damage to your skin.
- Exercise Regularly – According to research studies, regular exercise is good for our psychological, emotional, and physical well-being. This physical activity helps “increase your blood flow and circulation,” says US-based medical centre Lompoc Valley Medical Centre. The health centre suggests exercises such as cardio, advising people to stick to exercises they love.
This article first appeared on Bona.
Also see: How to keep your skin healthy this winter
