Healthy Skin 101: Five Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy

We’re going back to the basics! You might know a little about these healthy skin tips, but our expert dermatologists at Miami Center for Dermatology can give you the full scoop. Here are five tips for healthy skin that you should use all year long!

Be Gentle

Depending on which cleansers you use on your skin, they can either be too harsh for daily use or not effective enough as an everyday cleanse. To err on the side of caution, we recommend using a more mild cleanser on a daily basis and using products with active ingredients a few times throughout the week. For example, if your skin isn’t used to salicylic acid, we urge you not to jump right into using it every day because it can cause irritation. Incorporate active ingredients into your skincare routine slowly so that you’re not too harsh on your skin. We also recommend avoiding strong soaps and products with heavy detergents that strip moisture away from the skin. However, the most important step in being gentle to your skin is simply sticking to a simple routine that works for you. An expert dermatologist, like the ones here at the Miami Center for Dermatology, can determine your exact skin type and prescribe the right routine for you.

Manage Your Time and Your Stress

If you suffer from acne, beware! Another one of our tips for healthy skin is proper stress management. Stress can make everything worse, including the condition of your skin. Although stress doesn’t cause breakouts in everyone, it is still very much a factor you should consider. Manage your time wisely in your day-to-day life to deal with your stress in a healthier way, and your skin will look healthier too! We know it can be difficult, but aim to get plenty of rest, don’t work yourself too hard, and set aside time to do things that relax your mind.

Always Protect Your Skin

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times: sunscreen is the most important product you have! Arguably the best tip in our arsenal of healthy skin tips is to use sunscreen every day, unless stated otherwise by your dermatologist. In order to keep your skin healthy, you have to protect it from aging’s biggest culprit, the sun. The more sun exposure your skin experiences, the more likely you are to develop fine lines, age spots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Remember to use products with plenty of SPF—at least 15—and your sunscreen should be broad-spectrum to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. You should also be reapplying sunscreen every two hours and even more often after swimming or perspiring. For added protection, make sure to cover your skin by wearing long-sleeve shirts, hats, and pants. You can also wear clothing that is specifically designed to block UV rays.

No Smoking Allowed

Another of our healthy skin tips is to avoid smoking at all costs. Not only does it pose serious health risks for your lungs, but it can damage your skin to no end. Premature aging is a very common side effect of smoking because it decreases blood flow, depletes the oxygen flowing to your skin, and decreases the nutrients needed to keep your skin healthy. Smoking will also damage the collagen and elastin in your skin that keep it looking young, so wrinkles and fine lines are inevitable. Don’t be afraid to go to your doctor for advice on tips and treatments that will help you quit smoking.

Consider Your Diet

An unhealthy diet probably isn’t affecting your skin health as much as you may think, but it is possible that improving your diet can give your skin that push it needs to look and feel better. While it’s not one of our most recommended healthy skin tips, some studies suggest that diets low in unhealthy fats and refined carbs, and high in fish oil can promote youthful skin. Always talk to your doctor first before making significant changes to your diet.

Need more healthy skin tips? Check out the rest of our blog and visit our office for a consultation with our board-certified dermatologists at the Miami Center for Dermatology.