The document provides tips for keeping skin looking young and clear, including using sun protection like avoiding sun exposure during peak hours and wearing protective clothing and sunscreen; not smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation to avoid dehydrating the skin; properly cleansing and moisturizing the skin; getting quality sleep; and shaving carefully to avoid irritation. The tips are supported by research from organizations like the Mayo Clinic and British Skin Foundation showing the effects of these factors on skin aging.

1. The Best Ways
To Keep Your Skin Looking Young
And Clear

2. #1 - Sun Protection
Sun Protection Is Key!
According to the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minnesota, USA, a non-
profit organization with an international
reputation, most of the changes seen in
ageing skin are actually "caused by a
lifetime of sun exposure".
To protect yourself from the sun, they
advise the following three methods
(with maximum protection coming from
using all three).
1. Avoid the sun during high intensity hours: the sun's rays do the most damage
between 10 am and 4 pm, so limit the time you spend outside during this
period.
2. Wear protective clothing: wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers or pants and
a hat with a wide brim. Remember that tight woven fabric (eg denim) offers
better protection than loosely woven fabrics like knits.
3. Use sunscreen: go for a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun
protection factor) higher than 15 and apply generously about 20 minutes
before you go out and then every two hours. You will need to apply more
frequently if you go in the water or sweat a lot.

3. #2 Don't Smoke, Watch Alcohol Consumption
Be wary of how much you smoke or drink...
Research shows that smoking alone ages skin.
In a study published in the Archives of
Dermatology in 2007, researchers at the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, in the US,
described how they examined the upper inner
arms of smokers and non-smokers aged from
22 to 91 and found that after taking into
account age and other variables, the number
of packs of cigarettes that the smokers
smoked per day was significantly linked to skin
ageing. They looked at the skin on the upper
inner arms to minimize the influence of sun
exposure.
Indy Rihal from the British Skin Foundation told NHS Choices that smoking reduces
the skin's natural elasticity by promoting the breakdown of collagen and also
reducing the amount that is produced.
Collagen, a protein that helps skin strength, gradually degrades with age, leading to
wrinkles. Smoking causes this to happen sooner and also causes the tiny blood
vessels in the skin to tighten, which reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients
that the skin cells receive, which also reduces elasticity and accelerates ageing.
The Mayo Clinic also suggest that exposure to heat from burning cigarettes damages
facial skin and that certain smoking behaviours contribute to wrinkles, because of
the repetitive facial expressions that smokers make, such as pursing the lips on
inhaling and squinting their eyes to keep the smoke out.
Drinking alcohol can make your body and skin dehydrated, leaving the skin looking
old and tired. So if you are drinking alcohol drink plenty of water and stick to
sensible amounts. Have a non-alcoholic drink like soda water or watery fruit juice in
between the alcoholic ones to help your body rehydrate.

4. #3 Make Sure Your Skin Is Clean And Moisturise
A British Skin Foundation survey published in
January 2008 found that an astonishing 50 per
cent of people who wear make up in the UK are
damaging their skin by not removing make up
before they go to bed.
The reasons for not cleansing the skin of make up
before going to bed were also revealing in that
most people were too tired to take it off,
suggesting they were not getting good quality
sleep which also affects skin health. A significant
proportion also said they had had too much to drink or simply couldn't be bothered.
Cleansing is an important part of skin care because it removes dirt and bacteria; and
the key is to do it gently.
Use warm rather than hot water and limit the time you spend in the bath or shower
to 15 minutes or less as too much time in hot water strips oils from your skin.
Also, use mild rather than strong soaps and avoid irritating additives such as
perfumes and dyes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
When removing make up take care with the delicate skin around the eyes, and if you
use waterproof make up you may need an oil-based product to make sure you get it
all off.
When you have finished try to pat your skin dry so some moisture stays on it.
Moisturizing is important because it protects the skin from the weather and from
drying up and looking dull. It helps your skin maintain its natural moisture levels too,
say the Mayo Clinic experts, because it seals in the water already in the skin or
slowly release water into the skin.
You may be surprised to know that according to the British Skin Foundation the price
of a moisturizer is not a measure of how good it is: cheaper ones can be just as
effective. If you have dry skin avoid alcohol-based products and if you have oily skin
avoid oil-based products (use water-based instead). Some people with oily skin don't
need moisturizer: if your skin feels tight 20 minutes after bathing, then you probably
do.

5. #4 Quality Sleep
Sleep is essential for healthy skin.
Not enough quality sleep will make
your skin look tired and older,
especially with bags under your eyes.
Poor quality sleep can become a
vicious cycle because lack of sleep
makes you irritable, anxious and
depressed, and that makes it harder
to get good sleep.
Make sure you have plenty of
physical exercise as this reduces
stress and creates a healthy
tiredness that helps sleep. Yoga and
swimming are also good ways to
improve sleep.
Aerobic exercise increases the oxygen circulating in your body which helps the skin
stay vibrant and healthy.
Here are some more tips for getting a good night's sleep:
 Try to keep to a regular routine at bedtime.
 Have a warm bath to relax you.
 Learn how to put aside the "worry list" that is in your head: write it down,
keep a pencil and pad of paper by your bed.
 Get a relaxation tape: don't watch TV late at night or in bed as this can
stimulate rather than relax you.
 Avoid eating a heavy meal late at night. Try to eat your last food for the day
2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
 Drink plenty of water during the day rather than toward bedtime.
 If you wake in the night get up and do something distracting until you are
sleepy again rather than toss and turn and worry in bed.
 Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. It should be a haven of peace and
not a den of noise and stimulation.
 Keep an eye mask and ear plugs handy.
 Avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine in the evenings: drink camomile tea
rather than cocoa to induce sleep at bedtime (but not too much or you will be
up in the night for the toilet).

6. #5 Shaving With Care
People shave to make their skin smooth and hairless, but this can irritate the skin,
especially if it is thin, dry and sensitive.
For a smooth shave the Mayo Clinic experts advise that you shave after a warm bath
or shower (or press a warm wet cloth on your skin) to soften the hair, don't shave
dry skin, use a clean, sharp razor, and shave in the direction of hair growth.
Make sure you rinse well afterwards with warm water to remove soap and dead
cells.
If your skin is irritated after shaving don't use an alcohol based lotion even if it feels
cool, it will make the irritation worse because it dries the skin out.
I Hope You Found This Useful!