What’s the secret to healthy skin? As dermatologists, we’re always asked this question. The truth is, there’s not one universal secret to healthy skin. Rather, healthy skin is achieved through a healthy lifestyle—patients with healthy, happy skin often also live a healthy and happy life.
So, what does this mean for you and your skincare routine? Here, we’re covering five crucial skincare secrets our dermatologists say are the secret to healthy skin. These tips include:
- Apply sunscreen daily
- Get plenty of sleep
- Exercise throughout the week
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Develop a consistent skincare routine
1. Apply sunscreen daily
It should be no surprise that our first skincare secret involves applying sunscreen. Applying sunscreen daily is a necessity, especially in the heat of the Arizona sun. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States. It’s important to keep your skin protected from the harsh UV (ultraviolet) rays of the sun to avoid this common diagnosis.
Michael Higbee, one of our physician assistants explains it best when he says, “Skin cancer, sun damage, and wrinkles are easier to prevent than they are to treat.” Make sure you’re taking appropriate actions to prevent these skin conditions by applying sunscreen on a daily basis.
What type of sunscreen is best for you?
Applying sunscreen is only effective if you’re applying the right type of sunscreen, which is why it’s important to know which is right for you. With so many types of sunscreen on the market, our skin specialists weigh in on which sunscreens are best for daily use.
Dr. Ebner shares, “For daily use, I like Eucerin as it contains only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are mineral sunscreens that provide excellent broad spectrum coverage.” He continues by stating, “When I am outside for extended time or exercising, I prefer to use Bare Republic Sport Mineral Sunscreen for the body and VMV Hypoallergenics Armada SPF 30 for the face. Both products are sweat resistant and don’t cause breakouts.”
When asked the same question, Michael Higbee states, “My favorite brand of sunscreen is Cerave and Vanicream. Both brands contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These are physical sun protectants that begin working the minute they’re applied. For my patients that are skeptical of chemical blockers such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, the two brands mentioned above are for you.”
2. Get plenty of sleep
Beauty sleep is real. When asked his secret to maintaining healthy skin, Dr. Ebner shares, “Getting enough sleep is critically important to overall health and wellness. I cannot stress this enough.”
When you sleep, your body restores and replenishes itself. Your blood flow becomes more consistent and new collagen begins to develop in your skin. This reduces dark circles, wrinkles, and skin inflammation, all which lead to healthy looking skin.
However, not getting enough sleep can take a toll on your body. You may begin to develop wrinkles, notice discoloration under your puffy eyes, or experience hair loss. To avoid these complications, we recommend committing to consistent, quality sleep for seven to nine hours each night.
3. Exercise throughout the week
Our skin specialist also believe that exercising is one of the best-kept secrets to healthy skin. We know what you’re thinking, and we get it—exercising is not for everyone. With a busy schedule, most find it difficult to stay active.
But, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be an all-star athlete or spend hours in the gym to reap the benefits of healthy skin. Michael Higbee says that when it comes to exercising, he always recommends underachievement. He shares, “Under-achieving allows for greater consistency. If a certain type or consistency of exercise is not sustainable and the goals are not realistic, it will be abandoned quickly.”
Tira Quartullo, one of our nurse practitioners, also weighs in on this topic. She says, “No matter how tired I feel, I will make every effort to weave some type of workout throughout the week. It doesn’t always mean going to the gym. It can be a walk/jog with my daughters, going to the park, or a quick workout at home.”
As our staff explains, exercising doesn’t always have to equate to pushing yourself to the max in the gym. Rather, exercising is all about remaining consistent. Getting out and moving your body several days throughout your week, in any way, will make a big difference.
4. Eat a well-balanced diet
The symptoms your skin experiences don’t appear by accident. These symptoms often give clues and insights to what’s happening throughout the rest of your body. For example, if your skin is suffering, it’s likely that there’s something greater happening to your body.
Commonly, we find that blemishes and other skin conditions are linked to poor diet and inadequate nutrition. Karla Horton, one of our physician assistants, says “Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins helps keep skin healthy.” Dr. Zellman shares that his secret to healthy skin is “A diet high in natural antioxidants.” And Michael Higbee says that “A vegetable and fruit-based diet helps to keep skin healthy.”
We recommend incorporating a well-balanced diet, full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. An appropriate diet will help you to maintain a glowing, healthy complexion.
5. Develop a consistent skincare routine
When it comes to your skincare routine, consistency is key. You don’t have to live at the spa, switch your entire beauty routine, or spend hundreds of dollars on the latest skincare products to maintain healthy skin. Tirsa Quartullo says that “The best daily regimen is the one that you will actually use—consistently.” Michael Higbee also shares, “The trick is to keep it simple as you’re more likely to stick with the routine.”
This tells us that, sometimes, less is more. Don’t get caught up in the promises skincare products make. We recommended stripping down your skincare routine to the basics. Choose a good wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen—and stay consistent with those products. After you’re in your routine, then try adding additional products based on your individual needs, like chemical peels, anti-aging products, and more. This will allow you to first become familiar with the basics, so you’re more likely to remain consistent with your beauty routine.
Anything else?
Applying sunscreen, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying consistent with your routine are all crucial steps to maintaining healthy skin. But this is just the start.
For individualized advice on how you can improve the overall appearance of your skin, schedule a consultation appointment at one of our locations across the valley. During your consultation, we may provide additional steps you can take to maintain healthy and happy skin.
