Improve your complexion in just one day

Fancy, expensive products, and drastic lifestyle changes are actually not necessary to see a timely improvement in your skin. In fact, if you follow these tips from dermatologists, you could see positive changes in your complexion in just one day.

Do yourself (and your skin) a favour and chug some H2O. When skin is hydrated, it looks fuller, smoother, and healthier, because it’s being plumped from within. And according to dermatologist, Dr Jody Levine, water may also decrease your acne breakouts by lowering the concentration of oil on your skin.

Check out these genius tricks to guarantee you’ll drink enough water.

A healthy diet is a must – and that means limiting your sugar intake. “Processed sugar glycates the collagen, which stiffens and ages it,” says dermatologist, Dr Debra Jaliman. “It’s best to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Here’s what happens to your skin when you eat sugar.

If you do one single thing to get brighter, clearer skin, you should exfoliate. Exfoliation promotes cell turnover, unclogs pores, and helps skin look more radiant. Try a gentle daily scrub or a chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic acid. Different skin types will react differently. For sensitive skin, you may want to exfoliate less often, whereas oily complexions will do better with more frequent exfoliation. Talk to your dermatologist to determine which formulas are right for you and how frequently to use them.

“The polyphenols in green tea are wonderful antioxidants, which fight oxidative damage to your skin (from free radicals in your environment),” says Dr Levine. And due to its anti-inflammatory property, green tea can actually help reduce redness, blotchiness, and irritated skin.

Read on to find out more about the different types of tea.

Every dermatologist on Earth will tell you that sleeping in your makeup is a no-no because it can clog pores and lead to dullness and inflammation. Simply put, wash your face! There’s literally no excuse not to take off your makeup. For those nights when you’re too exhausted to go through your regular cleansing routine, stash a pack of makeup removing wipes on your nightstand.

Don’t miss these makeup mistakes that seriously age your face.

There’s something to be said for beauty sleep. Without it, skin can look dull, according to Dr Jaliman, who recommends sleeping at least seven to eight hours each night. “Skin rejuvenates and repairs itself while you sleep. That’s what gives it that glow,” she says.

Not sleeping well? Here’s how to sleep better every night.

Dr Levine recommends sleeping on a silk pillowcase rather than a cotton one. Silk causes less friction against your skin, so it’ll feel better and help prevent the tell-tale wrinkles that reveal which side you typically sleep on. Plus, you won’t wake up with lines on your face.

Dr Jaliman recommends looking for a mild formula with glycerine and ceramides. “It doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils and actually adds more moisture from aloe, glycerine, and ceramides. It also has the anti-inflammatory agent arnica, so it’s soothing and actually minimises redness.”

Don’t miss these things you should never do to your skin, according to dermatologists.

If you start to think about the germy things you touch in a day – from grocery carts to your own mobile phone – it can be pretty gross. If you come home and immediately start washing your face, your intentions may be good, but the results won’t be. Bacteria on your hands leads to bacteria on your skin. So especially during these times – with Covid-19 infections rising – make sure to clean your hands thoroughly (including under your fingernails) before going anywhere near your face. Alternatively, you can use a washcloth. Dr Jaliman recommends a baby washcloth because it’s very soft and gentle. (Just make sure to use a clean one each time.)