Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Evaluate your stress levels. It's obvious when you're stressed because you wear it on your face, and it can affect the rest of your health. Dermatologist Richard G. Fried notes that stress can make you vulnerable to a host of skin problems, including rosacea and psoriasis, and a person under stress may neglect his skin. Look at yourself in the mirror and see if the face looking back at you is relaxed and healthy. Take the time to review what you do every day and make decisions to sleep enough and control the events in your life that cause tension for you. Write things down if you need to and formulate a way to look at or deal with stressors differently.
2

Evaluate your diet. Your face is a reflection of what is going on inside your body, and all the paint in the world cannot cover it up. Improve your diet if you are not eating well-balanced meals regularly. Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson notes antioxidant rich foods seem to have positive effects on skin health and appearance. Add foods such as carrots, tomatoes, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables and salmon to your diet. While more substantial research needs to be done on links between diet and skin health, a healthy, balanced diet in general is good for your overall health, including the health of your skin.
3

Wash your hair regularly to reduce the oils that can transfer to your skin. Oily hair can contribute to the clogging of pores and development of acne. Keep your hair pulled back from your face to prevent excess sebum from transferring to your skin.
4

Take care of your teeth. This results in not only the beauty of a nice smile, but also keeps bacteria from causing infections resulting in poor health. A whiter smile can help to brighten your face and give you a more youthful appearance.
5

Wash your skin regularly with a mild cleanser. Do not scrub or use harsh soaps, as this can damage and dry your skin. Follow your cleansing routine with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. If your skin is not sensitive, exfoliate with a light scrub once a week to remove dead skin cells that otherwise could clog pores and contribute to acne formation.
6

Always use sunscreen when you will be exposed to the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying an ounce of sunscreen to exposed areas 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, which can cause premature wrinkling and skin cancers.