8 Ways To Get Your Healthiest, Most Glowing Skin Ever
Set on making 2019 your best skin year yet? Us, too.
Thanks to a few pointers from our fave pros, your goals are within reach.
1. Load up on sleep, water, and exercise
That means 8 hours of sleep, 8 glasses of water, and 8 hours at spin class (just kidding on that last one). But we know, they can all be a struggle. Shamara Bondaroff, Founder of SB Skin, says, “Having a consistent schedule (or something close to one) is a major step toward having healthy skin. When you’re healthy on the inside, it shows on the outside.” Her pro tip: Sleep with a humidifier on during the winter to put back moisture that cold weather can strip away (especially if you like to run outside). The result? A super-natural glow come morning.
2. Don’t make your PM routine a scavenger hunt
Having your skincare lined up is great for more than just #shelfies. Keeping all your essentials at hand will make sticking to your routine easier. “I keep my necessities ready, so that no matter how tired I am, I’ll find them before bed", Shamara says. "That includes miscellaneous things like my hair ties and a clean towel. Using your everyday hand towel can spread dirt and bacteria onto your skin. Take a minute to set yourself up in the morning, and you’re more likely to follow through in the PM.”
3. Get sweaty—it’s good for you
Next time you’re sweating through a gym sesh, know that it’s whipping your complexion in shape too. “When you sweat, your body releases toxins, dirt, oils and impurities that can potentially clog your pores and cause breakouts,” says Shamara. “Sweating is an important (and natural) function of your skin—so don’t be afraid of it! Bonus: A quick workout session can increase your blood flow giving you a natural, rosy flush. And sweat? Hello, instant dew.
4. Try a quickie post-gym cleanup
If you don’t have access to (or time for) a shower post-workout, Shamara suggests changing out of your workout gear, and carrying cleansing towelettes in your gym bag to wipe away sweat. “Your body has just released all these toxins with your sweat, and you don’t want them to be absorbed back into your skin.” Focus on your hairline, shoulder blades, and chest—all places that are breakout-prone.
5. Love makeup? You can wear (some of) it
According to Shamara, “working out in makeup can block sweat from escaping your pores, which in-turn causes breakouts.” But we admit that sometimes we like to look fab at the gym. If you don’t want to remove every ounce of makeup before your workout, Shamara suggests at least removing the complexion-y stuff, like foundation and concealer, so that the pore-clogging culprits are out of the picture.
6. Try a customized facial
“If you live an active lifestyle, a facial every 4 weeks or so (that’s how often your skin cells renew) can help balance your skin and minimize congestion, especially on your forehead where sweat lingers,” says the team of Skin Therapists at Heydey in New York. We know, you’re thinking, “How much of my rent is this going to cost me?!” But services like the one’s offered at Heydey are totally changing how we thought facials work. As in—you can go on your lunch break, you won’t be forking over a boatload of cash, and you don’t need to schedule a month in advance.
7. It’s OK to take baby steps
“Make sure you clean your phone, swap your pillow cases often, and sleep with your hair away from your face,” says the team at Heydey, They suggest dabbing (not dragging) your towel against your skin after your workout to prevent dirt and oils from spreading.
8. Don’t sweat the small stuff
"Breakouts happen, redness happens, falling asleep in your makeup happens. We all have our good and not-so-good skin days,” says the Skin Therapists at Heydey. “Treat your skin gently, be consistent with your routine, and don’t be too hard on yourself.”