How to Improve Your Skin Health Beyond Your Skin Care Routine

Let’s imagine you have your skin care routine down to a T. You have cleansers, toners, serums and face masks on deck. And, I bet, you even have a crystal face roller for that elasticity and collagen boost. 

If you have all the right tools and are staying consistent, then why do those pesky blemishes or irritation spots keep popping up? 

Your skin health is more than using product 

We can throw as many skin care products as possible on our face, but at some point we have to face a harsh truth: our habits strongly influence our skin health. 

Think about it: how often do you touch your face, even in a COVID-19 world. I, for one, rest my hand on my face when reading emails or thinking about what I’m going to write. And, how many times have I picked up my phone (God knows what’s living on that), then gone right back to touching my face?

I know, I’m not the only one guilty of this. 

Between our habits and our lifestyle, there’s plenty of outside forces that can throw off our skin, causing breakouts, inflammation or irritation (you know, all that fun stuff). So, what can we do to improve our skin health outside of using more products?

Do you know how many germs are living on your phone? Apparently, it’s dirtier than a toilet seat. So, clean your phone every once and awhile (or, more) because whatever is on your phone is going right into your pores the second you touch your face. 

I say “try,” because this is a hard habit to break. I recommend writing a note on a post-it and sticking it to your desk or laptop. 

Considering your skin is your body’s largest organ, it’s no surprise that hydrating helps your skin function. Water is essential for the body and increases circulation, which improves elasticity and smooths out skin. 

How you fuel your body directly coordinates with the health of your skin, so it’s important to consume foods that will help it, not hurt it!

Try to avoid any junk food, sugary drinks or refined carbohydrates as much as possible, as these increase blood sugar levels and can lead to breakouts. When in doubt, eat the rainbow and stick to wholesome, non-processed food!

Exercise is essential for your body’s all around function. It increases heart rate, which improves circulation and distributes oxygen all over your body, including your skin. So, if you want healthier skin, an increase in collagen production and cell restoration, then you better get moving!

Stress is a huge culprit in the robbery of your skin health. With half of the US adult population claiming that they are stressed, it’s clear that we are a nation of worry. 

While stress can sometimes help us get things done, it— more often than not—  is a useless emotion. We often stress about things we can’t control and if we’re consumed by this stress, then it will eventually (and inevitably) show up on our face.

If you’re having trouble managing your stress, then try one (or a few!) of these stress relieving practices:

• Meditation and breathwork
• Journaling and affirmation setting
• Self care, like listening to a podcast and doing a facemask
• Expressing gratitude
• Stretching or doing yoga
• Exercising 
• Decluttering your space 
• Talking with friends and family 

Make up isn’t generally harmful; it depends on the brand and how it reacts with your skin, but it can cause breakouts if removed improperly. 

If you haven’t met yet, say hello to a skin care’s secret weapon: toner. Toners help remove excess dirt and oil that you may have missed while washing your face. Grab our Fancy Cucumber Toner and a (reuseable) face pad, and wipe your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin— the whole shabang. You’ll be shocked by how much dirt is left over on your skin!

With summer just around the corner, hot and humid days are among us. If you’re sensitive to seasonal changes, then be sure to implement some skin care tips for warmer weather. 

If you’ve followed all the steps above, but are still breaking out, then consider looking at any hormones or birth control you may be taking. 

Hormonal birth control has been known to both help and cause acne. It all depends on the contraceptive that you’re using and how it reacts with your body, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re concerned about the effects birth control has on your skin health, then schedule an appointment with your doctor to dig deeper. 

Disclaimer: Blue Orchid does not promote the use of birth control or hormones in treating skin ailments. We believe in the power of plants to holistically heal and nurture skin as opposed to using pharmaceuticals.