10 Top Tips for a Beautiful Complexion - Merindah Botanicals

10 Top Tips for a Beautiful Complexion

You don't have to live at the spa to have a beautiful complexion

Everyone wants a quick and easy way to have healthy, radiant skin. But there are no quick fixes. Having a beautiful complexion comes from making daily decisions to do the things that nurture and protect our skin – the largest organ of the body.

Unfortunately, there are many products out there – even some that are marketed as skin care – that can harm our skin and cause more damage than good.

Follow these simple tips to get you on your way to gorgeous skin.

1. Exfoliate

Removing those dead skin cells is absolutely key to a soft and blemish-free complexion. Look for an exfoliant that won’t be so harsh on your skin, so you can use it each day. This ensures your face is completely clean before applying your makeup.

2. Vitamins

Use vitamins daily – both through tablet form and topically, in your skincare products. Especially, be on the lookout for products that use ingredients with vitamins A, C and E, as these are all essential for maintaining your skin’s moisture retention, as well as fighting back against environmental aggressors and signs of aging.

3. Flush out those toxins

We all know this one – drink at least 8 glasses (about 2 litres) of water a day. But if you’re tempted to let this one slide, remember that water not only keeps your skin healthy and hydrated, but it also helps get rid of any toxins in your system.

4. Eat super foods

A dull and dreary complexion can often be attributed to a diet consisting of highly processed junk food. Instead, make sure to pick foods high in essential fatty acids and Omega-3s, like berries, spinach and wild salmon.

The good fats in these foods boost the elasticity and smoothness in your skin, allowing it to “bounce back” more readily.

5. Stress less

We all have stress in our lives, but too much can lead to skin sensitivity, dullness and acne breakouts. Keep stress in check before it becomes evident on your face! Make sure to schedule regular down time for yourself, such as going for a massage or having a face mask and movie night with the girls.

6. Wear sunscreen

Get it out of your beach bag, and get some sunscreen on your skin every day! Sunscreen is so important because it protects your skin from harmful environmental aggressors and UVA rays. It prevents early onset of aging signs that are caused by sun damage, like tough and dry skin, and it also protects you from skin cancer.

7. Go ‘au naturale’

Skip your makeup routine for a day or two and your skin will thank you! Get out in the sun (with your sunscreen!) and wind and let your skin breathe. You will feel the benefits almost immediately.

8. Wash your makeup brusheshow to clean makeup brushes

As you use your brush to apply makeup to your face, oil, dirt and bacteria – as well as the makeup itself – gets trapped in the bristles. These impurities can then go back onto your skin and lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

You should wash your daily use brushes once a week, but once a month is fine for a total clean of all brushes.

9. Do a beauty audit

Did you know that beauty products have a use-by date, just like food? If you keep using expired products, you’re opening up the possibility of skin reactions, conjunctivitis and other infections. You wouldn’t eat expired products, so don’t let your skin consume them!

Go through the cupboards and chuck them all out, then you can go buy some nice new ones. Find out more about the hidden health threats in your makeup bag here.

10. Use Mineral Makeup

The benefit of mineral makeup is that it binds to oils, not water. This means that your makeup is naturally water resistant and it’s much better for your skin. Conventional makeup also contains chemicals, oils and other additives that are harsh on sensitive skin or clog up the pores, causing excessive breakouts.