With so many different articles and blogs out there spouting ideas on how to achieve healthy, glowing skin, it can be challenging to cut through the noise and get to the core of what it truly takes to have the best skin possible.

In honor of National Healthy Skin Month, we decided to drill this blog post down to the absolute core of what it takes to achieve healthier skin. While the products you use or the specific routine you have may vary based on your skin type, these are all skincare tips that everyone should at least consider adopting into their daily routine.

Clean

The first thing you should do is build a solid cleaning routine in the morning when you wake up and before you go to bed at night. This routine should include cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing your skin. To find the right products for you, consult with a board-certified dermatologist first.

Additionally, you should wash your face before you work out. When you sweat, your pores open up and are more susceptible to filling up with dirt and germs, which in turn can cause pimples and blemishes to form. By washing your face before you hit the gym, you’ll keep potential acne to a minimum.

Hydrate

All dermatologists and doctors agree: water is critical to your health. Staying hydrated can also help prevent your skin from drying out during the colder months and keep wrinkles at bay, so your skin appears firmer.

And while hydrating from the inside out is ideal, you should also add in some additional hydration with a daily moisturizer. This will add an extra layer of protection to your skin, help lock in moisture and give your skin a nice, healthy glow.

Protect

One of the biggest contributors to unhealthy skin is harmful UV rays. Not only have UV rays been shown to cause premature wrinkles, but they also have been linked to the development of melanoma and other skin cancers. What can you do to keep harmful UV rays from damaging your skin? Wear sunscreen year-round.

While sunscreen is important to wear during the summertime, it is recommended that you wear sunscreen all year long, as you can still get sun damage during the colder or cloudier months. Also, if you are outside for a long time, make sure to cover up, seek the shade and wear the right sunscreen.

For those of us who spend most of our days in front of a computer screen, protecting our skin from the damage that blue light emits is a must. Add in some topical antioxidants to help add a level of protection and invest in some blue light shields for your devices. (Harper’s Bazaar wrote an article earlier this year that breaks down the effects of blue light on your skin that is worth reading.)

Sleep

A good night’s sleep can make all the difference when it comes to your overall health, as well as the health of your skin. If you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect your mood, your metabolism and it can cause your skin to appear tired and unhealthy.

Try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. And if that’s not possible, try to add in some downtime for yourself throughout the day, where you take 10 minutes to just sit and unplug. Give yourself a daily break and allow your mind to slow down. The more rest you are able to get every day, the more you will begin to see a difference in the health of your mind, body and skin.

As we head into the holiday season, it can be easy to trade in your normal skincare routine for one that may not be best for you. To kick off this new season on the right foot, try to adopt some of the healthy habits we listed above, and if you have any questions, schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists at Charleston Dermatology for a one-on-one consultation. They will be able to help you determine what skincare products and routines are right for you and your skin.