6 Practical Self Care Steps That Will Leave You and Your Skin Glowing!

Hey everyone, Christina here. I was at the gym today and while on the treadmill I was watching one of my favorite vloggers (video blogger) talking about choices she has been making lately that contribute to feeling great overall. She talked about eating good food, being more aware of her mindset, and how all these things work together to fuel her body and her soul. It got me thinking about things that I love to do that help me feel my best and I realized that I had been letting some of these "self care must-dos" slip. We all get busy and sometimes self care falls by the wayside, so to help me, and hopefully help you, I compiled a list of some simple and sustainable things that help me feel my best. I hope they work for you too!

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity. Aim for at least 80-100 ounces of water a day. Listen to your body and your cues, sometimes you might need more if it's hot or you're exercising a lot. Add some lemon or frozen fruit or even some delicious electrolyte tablets to help with hydration.

2. Follow a Consistent Skincare Routine

Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser twice daily to remove dirt and impurities. My rule is to always double cleanse, especially when wearing makeup! Hello green and gentle beauty!

Moisturize: Keep your skin hydrated with serums (like Licorice Brightening and Pearl Serums or both) and a suitable moisturizer for your skin type.

Exfoliate: Exfoliate 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This is one I really need to focus on, plus I LOVE the way my skin feels after!

Protect: Apply natural sunscreen daily to protect against harmful UV rays. I love a good zinc face sunscreen!

3. Eat a Balanced Diet for Your Body

Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can improve skin health and appearance. Eat seasonally and a lesser known yet still important aspect for a lot of people is to eat like your ancestors did.

4. Get Enough Sleep

I don't even need to tell you the importance of this but sometimes we need reminders! Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Proper rest allows your skin to repair and regenerate, reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Put that phone away at least 1 hour before bed!

5. Manage Stress

Practice stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise. High stress levels can lead to skin issues such as acne and eczema. Some stress is good, it helps us get things done especially in a time crunch and it's motivating too. Stress helps us get stronger but only when we are in control of it!

6. Keep Your Bedding Clean

Probably an underrated step but a total must do. If you're anything like me, you do not wash your hair daily, which is great for your hair but after a couple days, not so good for your face. Regularly wash your pillowcases and sheets to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria that can accumulate and transfer to your skin while you sleep. Clean bedding can help prevent breakouts and maintain clearer, healthier skin. What a simple sensitive skin solution!

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine (or at least most days a week), you can help maintain a healthy mind and body, and of course glowing skin, that not only looks good but feels good too. What are your favorite self care must dos? Comment below and help a sister out!!