So, at the start of every new year, we usually come up with resolutions, goals and expectations for the year that includes our finances, our health, fitness; but probably not much on our skin care.
Our skin is the visual representation of how we feel on the inside. This is why we look radiant when we are happy or at peace while our skin looks saggy when we are under stress or undergoing difficulties. Our skin is a mirror to our inside and to some extent, determines how we are seen and can affect the perception that people have of us. So, in a nutshell, our skin is our image – simple as that.
our skin is an important organ of our body that it makes me wonder why we would rather invest in makeup products than we would on skin care products. Makeup products are actually secondary to skin care products. Heavy makeup and over dependence on makeup is so last year, so lets make healthy habits and set healthy goals for our skin in 2018.
GOAL 1:
MAKEUP DETOX
Less makeup or no makeup at all means that you are giving your skin a breather! Take time to free your skin of makeup so it can breathe. Keep in mind that makeup clogs the pores of the skin, which in turn causes free radicals like acne, pimples and rash. So keep your skin fresh every once in a while.
GOAL 2:
CREATE A BEAUTY REGIME
Many people buy the wrong skin care products for their skin, which may even create additional problems. Sometimes too, people buy the wrong product for the wrong skin issue. So, before you buy any thing, make sure it is targeted and suited to your need and skin type. You should also create a beauty regime that is feasible and easy for you to implement. Rubbing lotion alone on the skin won’t do; you must exfoliate, tone, steam, mask and moisturize.
GOAL 3:
KEEP YOUR SKIN HYDRATED
Did you know that alcohol, smoking and stress, including inadequate sleep can dehydrate your skin? If you spent last year paying little attention to rest time, then this year should be different. Plus, drink lots of pure, natural water rather than carbonated drinks or alcohol; eat fruits and vegetables and do keep your skin moisturized with the right kind of moisturizer for your skin type.
GOAL 4: (FOR WOMEN OF COLOR): DWELL LESS ON SKIN LIGHTENING (BLEACHING) BUT MORE ON HEALTHY, YOUTHFUL SKIN
More women of color are obsessed with skin lightening or skin bleaching rather than focusing on nourishing their skin with moisturizers that keep the skin healthy and young. Skin bleaching adds years to your actual age so try to stay away from them as they contain harmful chemicals; and focus rather on keeping your skin healthy and youthful for longer. Keep in mind that skin bleaching causes the skin to lose elasticity, so this is why people who bleach tend to have wrinkles.
GOAL 5: EAT HEALTHY
Healthy foods provide nourishment for the skin so tame down on junk, processed foods and go for healthy, natural foods. Consuming healthy foods will give your skin health, radiance and youthfulness. These foods are great for the skin:
Fatty fishes: Benefit from their abundance of omega 3 fatty acids which are good for healthy skin, shine and suppleness. Fatty fishes also contain vitamin E, which is a vital anti-oxidant for your skin and protects your skin from damage.
Avocado: Just like fatty fishes, avocados contain vitamin E and Vitamin C, which is another anti-oxidant that prevents free radicals and helps your skin to produce collagen needed for skin repair and rejuvenation.
Nuts: Nuts like walnut contain omega -3 and omega -6 fatty acids that help combat inflammation and heal damaged skin.
Fruits and vegetables: broccoli, tomatoes, red or yellow bell peppers are rich in vitamins and minerals and are rich sources of anti-oxidants, all of which are needed for healthy skin.
Dark chocolate: Studies have shown the effects of consuming dark chocolate to be very good for the skin because dark chocolate contains anti-oxidants which protects your skin from sunburn as well as help to hydrate the skin, to improve the texture of the skin and help to fight wrinkles.
6. GIVE YOURSELF A SPA TREAT
Let no one kid you by saying that you do not need spa treatment because you do! While you can save money by creating your own d-i-y spa treatment at home, every once in a while, please go to a spa and let professionals take care of your skin as it should be. From facials, to pedicures, to massages, enjoy a wide range of treatments for your entire body. Go to a spa near you and go through their menu and select diverse treatments that you can enjoy all through 2018 as treats. You can choose to give yourself a spa treat once a month or once in two months. You will feel great about yourself and your skin will thank you.
If you live in Lagos, Nigeria, I personally recommend Victoria’s Touch Spa. Visit the Instagram page at Victoriastouchspa.
These are some of the skin care goals that you can set for yourself in 2018. Tell me, are your skin care goals similar to this? Please share your 2018 skin care goals with us by leaving a comment.
Cheers!
Ene
