5 Ways to Better Skin

Our skin changes a lot throughout our lifetime: from smooth, clear skin as a child, to breakouts as teenagers and then the first signs of ageing as an adult. It is therefore unsurprising that we focus so much on caring for our skin.

However, it can be difficult to tell the good from the bad due to the constant, and often confusing, skincare adverts we are bombarded with every day. Pair that with the expense tied in with many of these new skincare products, it can sometimes feel impossible to know where to start when it comes to our skin.

However, we have compiled five easy ways to better skin.

1. Eating a healthy diet

Whilst it doesn’t sound like much, our diet greatly affects our skin. Quite simply, what we consume is reflected on our skin: when we eat greasy food, filled with salt or sugar, our skin shows it. Diets filled with sugar, salt or grease tend to result in breakouts and dull, tired looking skin.

2. Reduce stress

Stress is a major factor of life and a small amount of stress is helpful in life; however, larger, overwhelming amounts of stress can result in breakouts and can even exaggerate the symptoms of acne.

University can be an incredibly stressful time, however there are a variety of simple things we can do to reduce stress, such as meditation, exercise, quite reading and even socialising with friends.

Newcastle university have also developed an app to help improve mental wellbeing and reducing stress.

3. Quit smoking

Quite simply, smoking dehydrates the skin and increases the signs of ageing. As well as improving general health, quitting smoking will result in healthier, brighter looking skin.

4. Getting enough sleep

Its not a secret that when we don’t get enough rest, our skin appears dull and tired-looking. Whilst it can be hard to balance uni, a social life and getting enough rest, getting enough sleep is the simplest way to improve your skin.

5. Drink plenty of water

Just like our bodies need to stay hydrated in order to remain healthy and functional, our skin needs to remain hydrated in order to look fresh and bright. The NHS recommends drinking between six to eight glasses of fluid a day to maintain hydration: this doesn’t necessarily have to come from water, hydration can also be found in low-fat milk, and sugar-free drinks.