7 Ways To Get Better Skin (Without Skincare Products)

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A great skincare regime isn’t a guaranteed ticket to perfect skin – believe us, we’ve tried. Don’t get us wrong, it’ll play a major part, but there are SO many other lifestyle choices that you need to consider in the quest for happy, healthy skin. We hate to admit it, but a 7-step toning ritual will not rectify eating greasy food all the time and getting zero sleep. So, the next time your skin’s acting out and before you reach for the products on your shelf, reassess your lifestyle choices and take up these seven skin-saving habits instead.

1. Sleep with your skin in mind

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The reality is, few skincare products possess the same transformative powers of a good night’s sleep. When you’re in a deep sleep, your skin replenishes as its metabolism improves, which enables your skin cells to reproduce and repair more efficiently. This is why you need to sleep for at least eight hours a night to allow your skin time to heal and rejuvenate – ideally on a silk pillowcase to reduce pulling and tugging, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. You should also sleep on your back to avoid puffiness, and don’t forget to change your sheets weekly. Otherwise, they’ll harbor dead skin debris and bacteria, which you’ll then transfer onto your skin – gross! For more sleep-happy tips, check out this post.

2. Reassess your diet

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If your diet sucks, your skin will suffer; you need to be supplying your body with beauty-boosting vitamins and minerals, and steering clear of acne-inducing foods. Load up on fruit and vegetables that are full of antioxidants (find our fave glow-enhancing foods here). These antioxidant-rich foods will help fight against free radical damage that breaks down collagen, causing premature wrinkles. You should also avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, refined sugar, and even dairy, as these are all proven to increase inflammation and oil production, and can trigger a breakout.

3. DIY it

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As much as we love splurging on skincare, sometimes a bomb DIY is all your skin needs to recharge and reset. From chapped lips, dry or oily skin; there are so many natural ingredients that are packed with glow-enhancing antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory, detoxifying properties. Plus, as they’re all made from raw ingredients, they’re not processed with chemicals and are fragrance and alcohol-free, which can typically irritate the skin. Check out our fave DIY mask for oily skin here.

4. Check your makeup game

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As much as we love makeup, we won’t lie; it can wreak havoc on your skin. This is why it’s super important to know how to remove it properly each night, to let your skin breathe and repair. The easiest way to do this is to double cleanse (find out how here). It’s also essential to clean your makeup brushes regularly, so they can’t harbor bacteria that could trigger breakouts.

5. Think about your gut

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A healthy gut is the key to happy skin; it helps remove acne-inducing toxins while supplying your body with glow-enhancing vitamins. The easiest way to kickstart your gut is by eating foods rich in sulforaphane, like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage, as these will enhance antioxidant levels and help detox your body. You can also start taking supplements like the HUM Nutrition, Daily Cleanse, $25, to detox your liver, which will help prevent breakouts and inflammation. For more tips on improving your gut health, read this.

6. De-stress and meditate

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Stress can have a detrimental effect on your skin; it can cause breakouts, premature aging, and leave your skin looking dull AF. Plus, when you’re stressed, your brain releases a hormone called cortisol, which blocks the supply of oxygen, starving your skin of nutrients. Meditation is a great way to de-stress and helps deliver oxygen more efficiently to your skin, and it can even up your glow game. For more info, check out this post on how mediation can help your skin – seriously, it works!

7. Get moving

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By exercising regularly, you’ll not only look and feel healthier, but your skin will benefit too! Exercise increases blood flow, which will help boost skin cell renewal and allow your body to cleanse itself of any skin-aggravating toxins more efficiently. It’s also a natural mood booster and stress buster as it releases endorphins (happy hormones) in the brain.

Let us know what skin issue you’d like us to write about next in the comments below.