IMPROVE YOUR SKIN AT ZERO COST

Cosmetic products are important in our beauty routine, but they don't solve all of our skin's problems. If you're tired of following a skincare routine and still don't know what to do to get the results you want, here are some simple and inexpensive ways to take care of your skin that are the perfect complement to achieve comprehensive skincare.

Get radiant skin with these simple tricks below.

14 Skin care tricks that will cost you next to nothing

#1 Avoid the sun in the central hours of the day

Spending time in the sun can seem like an effective way to achieve a healthy look. Sunlight is beneficial to the health of the body and skin, but only if it is taken for a short time. It is estimated that 90% of skin ageing is due to the sun, especially for people with fairer skin, not to mention the even greater risk of skin cancer. Given that this is a huge figure, it is best to limit sun exposure and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you go out. Sun damage is one of the main causes of dull, tired skin. Too much sun also contributes to wrinkles, discolouration and other signs of ageing.

Don't forget to protect your eyes. Squinting doesn't exactly protect your eyes, and if you insist on staring, you may end up developing more lines and wrinkles around your eye área and forehead.

#2 Drink water

Yes, drinking water can contribute to skin hydration. Skin needs adequate hydration to maintain its elasticity, smoothness and healthy appearance. When you don't consume enough water, your skin can become dry, rough and prone to problems such as flaking and irritation.

When you drink water, it is distributed throughout your body, including your skin. Water helps maintain moisture balance in the skin by providing internal hydration. In addition, adequate water consumption can improve blood circulation, which in turn can help nutrients reach the skin more efficiently. It is important to keep in mind that drinking water alone is not enough to keep skin hydrated in all circumstances. External factors such as climate, sun exposure, use of skin care products and genetics can also influence skin hydration.

#3 Eat right 

What you eat has a big impact on the appearance of your skin. Whole grains, fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy oils (such as olive oil) are full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help replenish the cells that make up our body's vital organs, including our largest organ - our skin. Eat fruits, vegetables and nuts, such as strawberries, oranges, carrots, broccoli and more.

Probiotics, also known as "good bacteria", can improve digestion, eliminate toxins and free radicals that damage the skin and contribute to early signs of ageing. Probiotics have also been used to treat allergic disorders such as atopic dermatitis. Vegan kimchi, coconut yoghurt and sauerkraut are some excellent sources.

Eat fresh fruits and green vegetables that provide you with the vitamins and minerals you need for healthy skin. Eating foods high in vitamin C enriches your skin and gives you the glowing skin you crave.

#4 Get a good night's sleep

Restful sleep is best. While we sleep, our body heals and regenerates cells.

Sleep decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which is responsible for skin discolouration, skin thinning and stretch marks. Sleep also increases the hormone melatonin, which acts as an antioxidant to fight fine lines, wrinkles and skin cancer.

While we sleep we also produce new collagen, which helps keep our faces plump and wrinkle-free.

Finally, we produce a large amount of human growth hormone while we sleep, which helps repair the damage we suffer on a daily basis. A good night's sleep is noticeable on the face. Skin looks fresh after a restful sleep or a nap. 

Sleep 6-8 hours a day for radiant skin.

#5  Exercise

We all know that sweating is beneficial for the whole body, but it is also good for the skin. Regular exercise is one of the healthiest ways to achieve radiant skin. Sweating releases toxins from your body and makes your skin healthy and nourished. 

When we move, blood circulates and transports oxygen and nutrients to all cells. This not only provides an instant glow, but also helps our skin to repair itself more quickly.

Another benefit of exercise is that it helps reduce stress and, in turn, cortisol levels. Make exercise part of your lifestyle and get out for a run or walk at least 5 days a week.

#6 Ditch the sugar

Sometimes it takes a while for your skin to catch up with how we feel or what we ate days before. If your energy source is mainly added sugar and refined carbohydrates, you may start to notice their effects on your skin.

After all, too much of one thing overloads the body and the skin: too much sugar can lead to an increase in insulin (the hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood) and inflammation.

This process produces an enzyme that binds to collagen fibres, breaking them down and causing them to lose strength and flexibility.

If you notice that your skin is becoming increasingly vulnerable to sun damage, losing elasticity, produces acne and more wrinkles and fine lines, ask yourself: what is influencing your diet and can you take back control?

Tackling stress, for example, can help rekindle the brain energy you need to create home-cooked meals. Studies show that acne or rosacea gets better or worse depending on what you eat, so it could also be related to diet.

Insulin spikes can put your oil glands into overdrive, creating a breeding ground for acne to form. Fortunately, there are products to counteract this, so if sugar and refined carbohydrates are staples in your diet, skip them and opt for other products instead!

#7 Exfoliate regularly

Our skin sheds cells every day. And if we don't take care of them, they can clog pores and cause many skin problems, such as dull, tired skin, acne, pimples and blackheads. Exfoliating the skin is a great way to remove dirt and impurities and unclog pores. Skin is left smooth and glowing. For naturally radiant skin, exfoliate once or twice a week and use a gente exfoliator.

#8 Give yourself a facial massage

Do you have puffy eyes? Use your ring fingers to gently press your orbital bone, moving from the inner corners of your eyes outwards and repeating two or three times. This will not only stimulate circulation, but also help minimise fine lines and reduce puffiness.

Gently massaging your face with your knuckles is a great way to improve circulation, strengthen facial muscles and achieve a healthy glow. Do this for two minutes after cleansing and moisturising to improve blood flow and bring nutrients to the skin's surface to keep it healthy.

#9 Wash your make-up brushes

In addition to makeup residue, bacteria, oil, dust and sweat also build up on our makeup brushes. If they're not cleaned regularly, all that dirt gets spread across your face with every make-up application. This can cause inflammation, clogged pores and acne.

It's best to clean your makeup brushes frequently, at least once a week.

#10 Manage stress

It is normal to experience some stress from time to time. However, long-term stress can have serious health consequences. When we are stressed or anxious, our body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone activates our fight response (which is a good thing!), but constant stress keeps this response in fatigue overdrive.

In the specific case of skin, increased cortisol levels can cause us to lose radiance, as it decreases the skin's ability to retain moisture and encourages the overproduction of oil that can end up clogging pores and causing more breakouts.

High cortisol levels:

• reduce the skins moisture levels, leading to dryness and a dull, drab appearance

• lead to increased oil production, which can cause acne

• lead to the premature appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

• promote redness and inflammation

• inflames and aggravates skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.

Find ways to manage and reduce stress, whether it's by playing sport, listening to calm, relaxing music or meeting friends. Deep breathing exercises also help to combat the physical effects of stress on the body. Sometimes, reducing stress requires making major changes in your life. In any case, do whatever it takes to eliminate the major stressors in your life as this can improve your overall health, including the health of your skin.

#11 Sleep on a clean pillowcase 

Keeping pillows clean is a top beauty secret. Pillowcases can retain dirt, oil and bacteria from your face, hair and environment and become a breeding ground for acne. Change your pillowcase at least once a week to reduce the risk of breakouts.

A clean pillow can help keep your skin in good condition. During the night, our face comes in direct contact with the pillow, and if the pillow is not clean, it can accumulate bacteria, oils and residues from skin care products. These elements can clog pores and cause problems such as acne, irritation and inflammation.

By using a clean pillow, you reduce your skin's exposure to these contaminants and promote a more hygienic environment for your face while you sleep. In addition, a clean, fresh pillow can help prevent the buildup of dust mites and allergens, which is especially beneficial if you have allergies or skin sensitivities.

It is important to wash pillowcases regularly to keep them clean. It is recommended to change them at least once a week and use mild detergents to avoid skin irritation. Also, if you are prone to acne or skin problems, you may want to consider using pillowcases made of natural materials such as cotton, as they are more breathable and help keep the skin fresh.

It is always important to remember that maintaining good overall hygiene, including bedding care, is only one aspect of skin care.

#12 Choose products for your skin type

When shopping for essential skincare products, consider your skin type. Choosing the wrong product can have adverse effects on your skin. For example, if you have dry skin and choose a product with ingredients that dry it out even more, you are inviting skin problems. Know your skin type, buy the right products and you will have healthy, nourished and glowing skin.

#13 Maintain a skincare routine

Achieving glowing skin is not a matter of one day. You have to work for it. All your skin needs is a proven and effective skincare routine. As we age, our skin begins to lose elasticity. A good skincare routine can keep your skin nourished and glowing for a long time. 

#14 Use a mild soap

Harsh soaps are not recommended because they can irritate the skin by stripping it of its natural oils, which are important for hydration. Using harsh soaps can worsen or aggravate any previous skin conditions, such as acne or rosacea, and harmful perfumes and toxins, such as colourants, can further damage the skin and increase the signs of ageing.

What NOT to do for naturally radiant skin: 

Smoking and consuming alcohol 

There are certain lifestyle habits that are extremely dangerous not only for your health, but also for the appearance of your skin. Smoking and alcohol consumption top that list. So, if you want radiant skin, put smoking aside and give alcohol a break. Both are very dehydrating to the skin. As well as dulling the skin, they cause it to age prematurely. 

Smoking causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin and also constricts blood vessels, depriving the skin of much-needed oxygen, vitamins and nutrients. When that puff of toxic smoke is exhaled, it hits the skin of the face and can cause blackheads, especially around the mouth and cheeks.

Over time, this leads to accelerated ageing, dehydration, dark circles under the eyes, broken blood vessels and a dull-looking complexion. 

Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly can also lead to nutritional deficiencies. This can prevent the skin from getting the nutrients it needs to maintain a healthy glow. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and body. It can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles and leave skin grey and dull.

Excessive face washing 

Keeping your face clean gives you healthy, glowing skin. However, if you overdo it, you will achieve the opposite. Washing your face twice a day is all your skin needs. Frequent washing strips your skin of its natural oils and results in dull, tired and probably oily skin. 

Touching your face frequently 

Keeping your skin clean is vital for glowing skin. To do this, you need to keep your hands clean. Our hands and fingers accumulate dirt, oil and bacteria throughout the day. If you touch your face frequently, you're transferring that dirt to your skin and inviting it to suffer from a variety of skin problems. If your face itches, try soothing it with the back of your hand or the sleeve of a shirt.

Popping pimples 

As tempting as it may be to squeeze a pimple, you can do far more lasting damage to your skin than that instant gratification is worth. 

Firstly, there is a type of acne called mechanical acne, caused by friction from touching your face, which pushes oil and bacteria back into the pore.

Secondly, picking and squeezing can cause a scar or brown spot called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Better to live without scars and spots, right? 

When you have a red, inflamed pimple, go to the freezer instead of trying to pop it - applying ice directly to the pimple helps to reduce inflammation, reducing the size and visibility of the spot.

Sleeping with make-up on 

Another bad habit you need to change, make-up left on your skin for too long can clog pores and give you a dull, tired look. So, before you go to bed, make sure you remove your make-up and cleanse your skin thoroughly. Your skin will thank you for it.

Overdoing it with your skincare routine 

Taking care of your skin is a great way to get glowing skin. Overdoing it is not. Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible with the right products for your skin type. Over-exfoliating is another practice to avoid. Skin dries out and loses all its radiance. 

Forgetting the neck and hands 

Healthy, radiant skin is not limited to the face, but also includes the neck and hands in your skincare routine. Neglecting your skin can make a big difference and your hands are the first place to show the signs of skin ageing. So don't forget to include neck and hands in your skincare routine.

Remember that healthy skin is beautiful, so anything you can do to make your skin healthier will translate into radiant, beautiful skin. These simple beauty tips will help you get off to a good start. 

Beautiful skin doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are many ways to improve your skin without spending money. All of these tips are quite effective and, if you put them into practice, you might just see your skin improve. 

What about you, what skin care tips do you have? Let us know in the comments!

.

.

.