Skin is the largest organ in our body but often we do not pay too much attention to it. Unhealthy skin conditions such as dull, dry, flaky or patchy skin will not only affect our appearance but also lower our confidence level.  It can also sometimes be a symptom of other more serious health conditions as well.  

 Certain people might apply makeup on a daily basis to cover up the imperfections of the skin especially on their faces but this might lead to other concerns as makeup contains a lot of chemicals and skin-unfriendly components that can cause irritation and itchiness.  

Oftentimes, health conditions such as nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalance can also make achieving healthy skin more challenging.  Therefore, it is important to be more cautious of our skin conditions and practice healthy skin habits. In this post we will be looking at some healthy habits to achieve radiant-looking skin naturally and also keeping our skin healthy. 

What is Radiant Skin? 

Unlike other measurable skin concerns such as wrinkles and acnes, skin radiance is relatively subjective. Generally, radiant skin has the ability to reflect light, making skin look glowing, smooth and luminous, indicating a reflection of good health. It will also have a relatively even tone and elastic skin texture, giving out this healthy-looking glow. 

What Causes Healthy Glowing Skin? 

Healthy glowing skin is a reflection of good health and a healthy body. Children and young adults tend to have glowing and radiant skin because their skin cells turnover rate is higher. Skin will look dull when rough, dead skin cells pile up.  

Certain people may be more likely to have dull skin due to their genetics. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor hygiene, using harsh chemicals and an unhealthy diet that lacks antioxidants will make our skin look dull and speed up aging. There are also certain daily routines that we may not think about that can also add up to damage over time such as excessive exposure to sunlight, lack of sleep and stress. 

How You Can Get Radiant Skin Naturally? 

If we want to achieve glowing and vibrant skin that looks young and feels nourished, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle should always be our first priority. Staying active and keeping skin hydrated is also crucial to maintain a healthy looking skin. Below are some of the good practices that we can adhere in our daily life to support glowing and radiant skin: 

1. Wear sunscreen daily

   Wearing sunscreen daily is the easiest way to protect our skin appearances and health at any age. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun damage cells from oxidative stress and the release of free radicals. This will lead to pigmentation and premature aging. Applying sunscreen regularly will protect our skin from sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging.

2. Avoid smoking

   Chemicals present in tobacco will damage collagen in our skin, which are the building blocks that provide strength and elasticity to our skin. It will also cause oxidative stress to our skin, which leads to premature aging. Smoking will also reduce the oxygen supply to our skin.

3. Practice good skin cleaning routine

   Wash your face at least twice a day, or whenever needed. Good hygiene practice is important to remove dirt and bacteria and to keep our skin healthy. Perspiration will cause irritation to the skin therefore it is important to wash our skin as soon as possible after sweating as well. Choose a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol and cleanse your skin gently. Excessive scrubbing will irritate our skin and accelerate skin aging. 

4. Apply moisturizer

   Apply moisturizer after washing your skin, especially if your skin is dry or itchy. Apply gently to avoid pulling on delicate skin. 

5. Increase your water intake

   Drinking enough water is important for our vital organs, plus it helps to maintain our skin health. One of the signs of healthy skin is hydrated skin that looks supple and taut while giving off a slight shine under natural light. Poor water intake can result in dehydration and drier skin, which will in turn cause dullness in appearance. 

6. Eat healthily

   Good nutrients will result in good health, which will also reflect on our skin condition. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains healthy skin nutrients such as proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc can have an impact on overall skin health and appearances. Food that contains these nutrients includes fatty fishes, avocados, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and various fresh fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, try to avoid processed food, especially those that contain high amounts of sugar, as a diet with high sugar content can accelerate aging. 

7. Take supplements

   Sometimes, nutrients from food are insufficient for us to achieve the skin complexion that we desire. Taking supplements for glowing skin, especially antioxidants will help us to achieve radiant skin. Glutathione, which is an antioxidant that is normally produced by our body, helps in achieving healthy radiant skin and an even skin tone. However, the level of Glutathione will drop due to aging, stress and free radical damages. Therefore, it is important for us to replenish the Glutathione that is lost and to restore healthy looking skin. Vitamin C also helps to promote glowing skin as it is an important factor for collagen synthesis. 

8. Stress management

   Stress hormones can contribute to skin damages such as acne and aging. Besides, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems, and some people might turn to substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs to manage their stress, which will then worsen our skin condition. Practice relaxation techniques to manage your stress well. 

9. Get enough sleep

   Insufficient rest especially at night will put our body in stress and produce large quantities of stress hormones. This will trigger inflammation throughout our body, resulting in skin damages. 

10. Limit the consumption of alcohol

    Frequent and excessive drinking can lead to several problems of the skin. Alcohol will cause the dehydration of the skin, which will also worsen or aggravate other skin conditions. 

11. Active lifestyle

    Exercise can promote blood circulation and thus be able to carry nutrients throughout our body. It also promotes our body’s natural process of flushing out toxins.

Having changes in diet and lifestyle habits are some of the ways that you can achieve radiant skin naturally. However, people with underlying skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation issues, signs of skin infections, persistent rashes and pain should always seek advice immediately from healthcare professionals or dermatologists who can recommend the best options for you. 

Reference

• Dixon, S. (2019, April 17). How to get your skin to glow from the inside out. Healthline. Retrieved August 20, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/guide-how-to-make-skin-glow#1.-What-to-eat  
• Face washing 101. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101  
• MediLexicon International. (n.d.). How to get glowing skin: 11 tips for diet, skin care, and more. Medical News Today. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-get-glowing-skin