Proper care is necessary to keeping your skin healthy, soft, smooth and fresh-looking. Just a little knowledge can make a big improvement. Whether you want to take ten years off your looks or heal an annoying rash, here are some tips to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Avoid scratching dry skin. Though it might itch, scratching dry skin only exacerbates the problem. Apply lotion to moisturize the area. If necessary, you can even apply anti-itch creams that are specially formulated for dry skin. Applying products containing shea butter to dry patches of skin can also do wonders.

Start taking zinc supplements. Zinc has actually been proven effective in combating acne breakouts. Take 50 mg or 25 mg doses three times a day for optimal results. As is often the case with any supplements, consulting your regular physician before you begin taking them is always a smart idea.

Try to reduce the amount of soda that you consume on a daily basis. Soda is packed with sugars and carbohydrates, which can cause cause a poor reaction with your skin. Instead of soda, try drinking water or flavored water as an alternative to your meals during the day or night.

If your current day cream or lotion does not contain ingredients to protect your skin from the sun, consider mixing in a lightweight sunscreen. Ideally, your facial products should offer SPF of at least 15. Seek out skincare with sun-loving ingredients like vobenzone, Helioplex, or micronized zinc. These ingredients offer broad-spectrum coverage without affecting the appearance of the skin’s coloring.

Use a humidifier in winter to avoid dry skin. When homes and offices have the furnaces going in the cold winter months, the air inside becomes very dry and can suck the moisture right out of your skin. To combat this, use a humidifier in your home when the heater is on to replace lost moisture in the air.

Drink fewer alcoholic beverages. To keep your skin clear, try not to drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day. Anything more than a single drink of alcohol can increase oil production in your skin. This can enlarge pores and may, ultimately, lead to a breakout.

Around the age of 30, people generally will develop lines around their eyes. The delicate skin around the eyes needs moisture and volume and you can get this from an eye cream. When you are looking for an eye cream, get one with one of the following ingredients: retinoids, peptides or antioxidants.

You may be looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In this case do not neglect the beneficial aspects of retinoids found in vitamin A. They work by causing the surface skin cells to die off rapidly, and as such they are replaced quickly giving you a renewed look as younger cells repopulate the area.

Your skin is a huge organ, and it is important to take care of all of it. Do not neglect your elbows, neck, and heels when you are cleansing or applying moisturizer. Even when applying sunscreen, be sure to cover these areas also, not to mention covering the tops of your feet.

Getting enough sleep is a great way to have your skin looking good. Try to get in at least 8 hours a night. It will help your skin and face bring out that healthy shine. There is a reason why it’s called beauty rest. So next time you go to bed, know that you are doing a wonderful thing for your skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is an effective treatment for acne. You need to be careful how much you use as it can cause drying of your skin. Adjust the amount you’re applying to be more or less as necessary, and make sure you use it in conjunction with good hygiene practices. Keeping your face clean is an important part of acne treatment.

While a prolonged hot, steamy bath may make you feel calm and collected, it might actually have negative effects on the overall health of your skin. Excessive heat and humidity can compromise the skin’s ability to heal itself, sap it of moisture, and hinder its immune response. So while it is okay to periodically indulge in a hot bath, save this ritual for special occasions only.

Applying your skin care products in order of their heaviness and density can help to give you the best absorption of those particular products. Start with the lightest of your products first and then continue on until you get to the heaviest of products. This will allow you to get the full benefits of the lighter kinds of products without having the heavier ones drown them out.

These tips should help you take care of your skin to stay younger looking longer. With a little time and effort, you can see improvements in a short while. Skin care doesn’t need to be a mystery, just give these tips a chance to reveal a healthy and younger-looking you!

Basic Skin Care Tips That Won’t Break The Bank was originally published on Spring