LOVING YOUR SKIN.

A few days ago, I shared with you “My Acne Journey”. While all’s well that ends well—a.k.a. my acne has bid me adieu with the help of my dermatologist. I would like to keep the focus on skincare for a bit longer. Here are some tips not only for better skin—but for a healthier and happier you!

HYDRATION
Skin needs moisture. Dry skin is tight and locks bacteria inside pores, which can lead to pimples. While drinking water might not be the cure of acne (we wish!), it does help to hydrate the body and to moisturize the skin. Water helps to flush out toxins, hence, contributing to clearer skin.

DIET
True, what you drink is important. But so is what you eat. If you seek glowing skin, a healthy and balanced diet plays a major role. That means cutting down on junk foods and sweet treats—sorry!

Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like wild salmon, flaxseeds, and chia seeds apparently helps to slow down the aging process and heals and reduces inflammation underneath the skin surface. Meanwhile, foods like avocados and almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminate toxins and protect our skin cells. Our rainbow of fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help protect our skin from the cellular damage caused by free radicals.

EXERCISE
We sweat during exercise. Sweating opens and unclogs pores, allowing the dirt and oils that congest them to be flushed out. But how much we sweat depends on what kind of exercise do. Feel free to choose! I teach and practice yoga. For me, the best sweat session is flowing through a 90-minute Vinyasa class.

REMINDERS
1. Ensure that you are makeup-free and your face is well-cleansed before engaging in any form of exercise.
2. Do not moisturise.
3. Make sure that your face towel and other towels you’re intending to use during your workout is clean.
4. If you’re dealing with gym equipment, avoid touching your face as shared equipment can harbor dirt.
5. Shower as soon as soon as you can to remove excess sweat and dirt.
6. After cleansing your face, use a toner to shrink pores and restore skin PH balance.
moisturise

FACIALS
Facials are important for deep cleaning and skin cell renewal. And as much as most of us love doing our own facials in the comfort of our bathrooms, it’s important every once in a while to have a facial done by a trained esthetician. I’ve learned that regular facials, along with everyday skincare routine, restores and rejuvenates one’s appearance.

DAILY CLEANSING ROUTINE
Gone are the days when I would go out partying then end up sneaking into bed with my makeup still on. After my acne breakout, the last thing I want to do now is to piss off my pores. So no matter how exhausted I am at the end of the day or night, I always make an effort to wipe off my makeup, clean my face, and moisturize it before bed. At night, our skin goes into repair mode, creating healthy cells. By sleeping with makeup on, we’re forcing our skin to work a lot harder to do that.

NO HARM
Avoid using harsh products. Even if it’s not 100% natural, take time to check which ingredients you are applying on your skin. Steer away from harmful chemicals.

Love your skin. x