If you want to ask anyone about their wish list, chances are that you will hear ‘flawless and clear skin’ a lot or at least something along those lines. Now, since most of us are not blessed with naturally beautiful skin, we have to put in the effort and care it requires.

With the advent of the Internet, two things have happened in terms of skincare. Firstly, some really effective hacks for clear skin from various parts of the world have surfaced. Secondly, we are also aware of things that we shouldn’t indulge in if we want the skin that celebrities always seem to have.

To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of a few skincare do’s and don’ts to help you keep your skin healthy and glowing inside and out.

Skin Care Do: Drink Lots of Water

A body is made up of 70% water. It’s only logical that we require more H2O to regulate the functions of it.

The way water helps your complexion is quite simple: it flushes out toxins from your body. This, in turn, facilitates the proper functioning of your insides. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin will start looking dehydrated and lustreless. Water is the only way to achieve that dewy, sun-kissed glow that you see on Jennifer Lopez or Rihanna.

Although a good rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water, there’s also a more accurate way to help you determine the number of ounces – take your body weight and then divide it in half.

Skin Care Don’t: Don’t Over Exfoliate Your Skin

While exfoliation is important because it helps to remove the accumulated layer of dead cells, overdoing it can have adverse results.

Over-exfoliation can irritate your skin making it inflamed or red. There might also be situations where your skin cells will start producing more oil and sebum leading to blemishes like blackheads, whiteheads, and so on. Try to limit your exfoliation routine to only twice or thrice a week.

The other important factor that you need to consider is the granules in your face exfoliator. Our facial skin is already quite delicate due to which you should go for exfoliators that have finer granules otherwise micro tears may take place. Definitely not what you want!

Skin Care Do: Remove Your Makeup Before You Go to Sleep

Just think about it, the entire days your face has been covered with products. When you go to sleep, it is also the only time that your skin can breathe. It is due to this very reason why it is important that you clean your face removing any dirt or makeup on it.

In addition to this, if you don’t remove your makeup, your pores can get clogged which may lead to your skin breaking out. If you don’t have a makeup remover or micellar water, you can always use cotton pads that have been dipped in coconut oil or olive oil. Not only is this method cheap, but it is also very efficient to remove any product residue.

Skin Care Don’t: Be Too Harsh On Your Skin

Now that we have already mentioned about makeup removal, we would like to talk about the process in which you clean your skin. Most of us make the mistake of being excessively harsh when cleaning our face. Using the cotton pad or even our fingers aggressively against our skin will only irritate it while promoting premature aging at the same time.

The best way to massage any product into your skin is by employing gentle, circular motions. In the same way, gently use the cotton pad or makeup wipes when it comes to removing any makeup. Remember to be extra careful on the skin near your eyes.

Skin Care Do: Protect Yourself from the Harmful Radiation of the Sun

Too much exposure to the sun is not good for your skin at all. Not only does the increased UVA and UVB rays increase the risk of developing skin cancer, but it can also expedite the aging process.

Even your pores can become larger when you spend too much time in the sun. Larger pores can lead to the accumulation of dirt and oil which may cause blackheads. While using a pore minimizer can work wonders for larger pores, but if you restrict your exposure to sunlight it can definitely be better.

Always remember to slather sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before you step your foot out of your house. We will also advise you to let the product absorb into your skin for about 20 to 30 minutes before you leave.

Skin Care Don’t: Experiment with Your Skin Too Much

We get that last-minute pimples can be quite stressful especially when you have a party or date to attend the next day. But, we have to understand, not everything we see on Instagram or Pinterest is going to work for our skin.

There are a lot of factors that you have to consider before you apply anything to your skin. Firstly, the natural ingredients or over-the-counter products that you use should suit your skin type. Secondly, the products should not contain harmful chemicals or ingredients that may irritate your skin.

There might be times when you may come across a few effective and amazing home remedies, but whenever you see ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or something similar – always proceed with caution.

Skin Care Do: Develop Healthy Eating Habits

The popular saying, “you are what you eat“ is without context. It’s important that you develop a healthy and balanced diet to make sure your skin gets the necessary boost of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients. This will help to increase your blood flow and cell turnover rate giving you a smooth and healthy complexion.

Incorporate a lot of leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, natural juices, and nuts for improved skin texture.

Resources — Hello Giggles, Holland & Barrett