Singer and Entrepreneur, Arzutraa, shares her top 10 best skincare tips with us.
Arzutraa: I had acne since my teens. I have tried and tested the most expensive of brands to the cheapest and I have come up with a list of 10 best skincare tips which I absolutely cannot live without. Most of these do not require you to break the bank or even spend any money. Read on to learn more.
Top 10 best skincare tips:
1. Exfoliate regularly
One of my best skincare tips is exfoliation. It really is essential for removing dead skin cells and revealing smoother, brighter skin. I exfoliate my face and body once or twice a week using a gentle scrub. Be sure to choose a scrub that is suitable for your skin type. Or walk into your kitchen and simply get some olive oil and fine salt, and scrub away (gently!)
2. My best skincare tip: Stay hydrated!
Another one of my best best Skincare tips, is keeping your skin hydrated is the key to preventing dryness and maintaining a healthy glow. I always notice a difference if I go for days without much water. Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health, including healthy skin. They say herbal teas count but there is nothing like fresh, clean, filtered water. Aim for a minimum of 2-3 litres a day and see the magic unfold.
3. Moisturize daily: Use a body oil or cream
A good friend of mine taught me the art of body oiling. I apply it to my skin after my morning shower whilst massaging it into my body. You can try this body oil or simply get some mustard oil, keep it in the bathroom and apply every morning. It feels lovely to self massage also as a symbol of self love.
4. Protect your skin from the sun
Sun damage can cause premature aging and skin cancer. I always wear sunscreen with a high SPF when I’m going to be spending time outdoors. However I live in London, England so chances of me getting too much sun are slim. However always wear sun protection to keep your skin protected from UV rays.
5. Wash your face with cold water
A game changer especially for acne prone skin. This tip was given to me by a close friend and beats any product for tightening the pores and it also helps calm inflammation from active acne. Not to mention giving a glow for healthy vibrant looking skin. Simply wash your face as normal, and splash your face 10-20 times afterwards as a finishing rinse with extremely cold water. Don’t believe me, give it a go.
6. Pay attention to your diet
This list of best skincare tips would not be complete without a focus on diet. What you eat can and will have a big impact on your skin’s health. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to promote healthy skin. Coming from an Indian background, I grew up with spicy and oily foods and I had learned the hard way about how that kind of food affects the skin. Now I eat pure, whole foods and I pay special attention to what I am consuming. Our bodies are not designed to eat anything and everything. Just like you would not put dishwasher liquid in your car, you cannot put random stuff in your body. Dr Axe has a great article on eating clean, and it is worth a read.
7. Avoid hot showers:
Hot showers can strip your skin of natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Try to limit your hot shower time and use lukewarm water instead. Or alternate between hot and cold especially towards the end of your shower. This will really boost your blood circulation and get you energised for the day,
8. Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier can help to keep your skin hydrated. There are many humidifiers on the internet but if you want to try out a home made one, simply fill a bowl with water and keep it in every room you are in in the house or office. You will notice that the water will evaporate into the air as the days and weeks go by, giving you more moisture in the air you breathe.
9. Sleep
This really should be number one on the list. There are entire books written on this subject, such as Matthew Walker’s ‘Why We Sleep.’ However, we don’t need a book to believe that sleep is super important for our skincare regime. Sleep helps all the cells do their repair work at night during shut eye and if you are not sleeping or sleeping late or for too little hours, then you are not giving the body enough time to repair and rebuild all of it’s vital organs. Get into a habit of making sleep a priority (7-9 hours is the goal) and you may not need any of the other tips listed here if you do just this one.
10. Don’t forget to breathe
Stress destroys the skin and so make sure to take time out daily to meditate. Meditate does not need to be sat with shut eyes and not thinking. It can be going for a walk, it can be painting, singing or doing something you love to do. I love doing breathing meditations by following some YouTube videos early in the morning. It helps prime me for a calm day ahead whilst helping to regulate my nervous system. We all get so caught up in the day to day, but it is important to take time out for ourselves. Otherwise we can be left with stressed body and stressed looking tired skin.
Bonus Tip:
Whatever you do, don’t forget your face oil. This is my secret to youth and keeps my skin balanced when it’s oily, yet moist when it’s dry like when I have used too much retinol for example. Face Oil’s are not just exaggerated hype, they are the real deal. This formula has real saffron, one of the most expensive spices in the world. A few drops go a long way and can also be mixed into your day or night time moisturiser.
