Wash your face as soon as possible after exercising or getting sweaty. Avoid harsh cleansers with alcohol in them. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, stick with fragrance-free and non-comedogenic products. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Never exfoliate your skin if you have open cuts or a sunburn. Exfoliating too often or too vigorously can irritate your skin, so be careful. Depending on your skin type, you may be able to work up to exfoliating 2-3 times a week. [4] X Research source
Give the moisturizer a few minutes to soak in before applying makeup or other skincare products. If you have acne-prone skin, you might be tempted to skip moisturizer. Dry skin can make acne worse, though! As long as you’re using an oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer, you’ll be fine. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
Look for whitening products that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance (the seal will be on the packaging). These are certified to be safe and effective.
In general, men should aim to drink 15. 5 cups (3. 7 liters) of fluids daily. Women should aim for 11. 5 cups (2. 7 liters) of fluid daily. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Teens should get between 7-14 cups (1. 7-3. 3 liters) of fluid daily. [11] X Research source
If you’re not used to exercising, start slowly and build from there. For example, try brisk walking a few times a week and slowly increase the intensity. In general, aim to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or 75 minutes of intense exercise a week. [13] X Research source
If you’re a teenager, aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night. [15] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Limit caffeine consumption in the evening so you can fall asleep easily. Try keeping your bedroom cooler to improve your sleep quality.
Try to base most of your diet around fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. [19] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source A healthy diet improves the health of your hair and nails, too![20] X Research source
If you’re having a hard time eating healthy, try replacing one meal a week with a healthier option. For instance, instead of making morning toast with white bread made with enriched flour, choose a whole wheat option instead.
If you have oily hair and/or you exercise a lot, you may need to wash your hair every day or use a dry shampoo on off-days to soak up excess oil and dirt. Make sure you use the right shampoo for your hair type. For example, if you have oily hair, use shampoo formulated for oily or normal hair.
Choose the best conditioner for your hair type. For example, if you have color-treated hair, use a conditioner formulated for that. Apply a hair mask once a week to hydrate and strengthen your hair.
Spray on a heat protectant before straightening or curling your hair and use the lowest heat setting you can.
Dry brush once a week to start and gradually increase to a few times weekly as your skin gets used to it. Use light pressure around sensitive areas like your breasts and neck. Avoid dry brushing your face, which is little too sensitive for stiff bristles. Never dry brush broken, burned, sensitive, or infected skin.
If you’re swimming or sweating outdoors, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. To protect your lips, use a balm with SPF 30 before going outside.
If you have sensitive skin, micellar water is another option that dermatologists recommend. Use it on a cotton pad just like a regular makeup remover. [31] X Research source If you’re wearing heavy/waterproof makeup and your skin isn’t acne-prone, use an oil-based makeup remover instead.
