How to look good without filter
Now is the time you can literally bare some skin and bask in the sun. Take those Instagram-worthy shots this summer season. With the brilliant filters that cameras have nowadays, it’s easier to look flawless on social media, but it’s not enough to just look great online. You can look better in person too—that is if you set your mind to tweaking your lifestyle habits to achieve healthier-looking skin. It will not only make you look better, but it will also make you feel better from within, as well as give you that much-needed self-esteem.
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. This bad habit causes oxidative stress in the body. This process produces harmful free radicals, which are toxic, unstable, and harmful molecules that damage the skin cells and speed up the aging process. Individuals who quit smoking will experience noticeably younger-looking skin in no time. After all, skin cells regenerate.
- Hydrate intentionally throughout the day. Don’t drink only when your throat feels parched, as that simply means that you are already dehydrated. Dehydration leads to dull, dry, and wrinkly skin. Drink water throughout the day. It must be done intentionally. Carry a water bottle with you if you must. Clear soups and 100 percent fresh vegetable and fruit juices like buko juice can also add to your fluid intake within the day. You don’t have to drink your fluids, you can eat them too. There are fresh produce that contains high water content like watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, lettuce, and oranges. Want to know if you are well hydrated? Observe the color of your urine. It must be clear or light-colored.
- Eat collagen-forming food. Collagen and elastin are proteins that give the skin its texture, shape, and elasticity. Before you resort to taking collagen pills, which may not be readily absorbable in the body, why don’t you resolve to nourish your body with food that contains the building blocks or amino acids to help you produce collagen naturally? Collagen formation requires the amino acids glycine and proline among others. It also needs vitamin C and zinc. Consuming seaweed, nuts, seeds, soy, beans, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, and vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges and guava will aid in the synthesis of collagen. Bone broth is also a whole food source of collagen. Functional food like rose and cactus also stimulates the body to produce collagen naturally.
- Avoid pro-inflammatory food. Acne, pimples, rashes, and other skin conditions stem from inflammation that occurs inside the body. These are largely immune and nutrition-related. When you habitually consume a diet that is high in refined sugars and trans-fat, processed food, animal protein, and dairy products yet don’t get enough phytonutrient and antioxidant-rich food sources like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and the like, you will have unhealthy skin. Healthy fat sources like nuts and seeds, especially those that are high in omega 3 like chia seeds reduce inflammation and make the skin supple. Assess the type of food you take in most of the time. If whole food, plant sources aren’t a staple in your diet, it’s time to seriously think about the quality of your diet and how you can transition into a more whole food, plant-based way of eating.
- Exercise and be physically active. Living an active lifestyle will get your blood circulation going. This in turn will oxygenate skin cells and distribute nutrients to nourish the skin. Exercise also causes the skin pores to open and release toxins that could otherwise build up underneath the skin. These toxins cause a lot of harm and skin conditions. If you are living a sedentary lifestyle, begin by walking even within the comforts of your home. Get up and walk in place while watching your fave movies. Take the stairs. Pace while on the phone. Just get moving. As your stamina increases, you will be motivated to exercise more regularly.
Get that glowing skin from within this summer season. Begin to assess your lifestyle and adopt healthier habits that promote healthier-looking skin.
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