Irritated skin is not just annoying and inconvenient; it’s uncomfortable. Even those who are blessed with great skin often suffer periods of redness, dryness and acne. Irritated skin is caused by a wide variety of factors: from exposure to new fabrics and beauty products to changes in weather and even traveling to new climates and altitudes (a person who lives at sea level on the East Coast, for example, will often find that their skin reacts differently to the drier, thinner air in the Rocky Mountains).

Here are five remedies that anyone can use right from home!

1. Ditch the Chemicals

Ironically, a lot of people suffer from irritated skin because of the chemicals in the products they are using to make themselves beautiful in the first place. Sensitive skin is surprisingly common, as are conditions like rosacea that make skin extra-prone to irritation. Using topical creams, powders, and makeup in general can cause irritation and lengthen flare-ups.

Fortunately, ceasing use of products with harsh chemicals will help, as will switching to more natural makeups intended for sensitive skin. Using a natural honey mask from time to time will also help, as honey contains natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

2. Hydrate

There’s not much that’s more important to skin than water. Whenever you notice any type of dryness or other skin irritation, the first thing you should do is drink a big glass of water. Making sure you get enough water each day will not only help ease skin problems, but it can help prevent them entirely.

It’s also worth noting that drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins and other harmful substances from the body. While irritating skin conditions are caused by a wide variety of things, toxins, microbes and bacteria are among some of the leading causes.

3. Get Your Sweat On

While many people believe sweating to be a main cause of irritation, the truth is that it is actually very good for skin! This is because sweat actually serves to not just help keep skin moistened, but also to flush out harmful substances. Additionally, exercise in general has been shown to help keep the body in better condition overall, including when it comes to skin wellness.

Just be sure to clean skin properly after each workout. Using a gentle cleanser and exfoliant will help remove sweat and dead skin cells, leaving fresh, beautiful skin. And just to reiterate the previous tip, be sure to drink plenty of water both before, during and after each workout to make sure you are staying hydrated.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep can manifest itself in so many ways, including irritated skin (especially when it comes to acne breakouts). Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get between seven and eight hours of sleep. As a bonus tip, consider switching to silk sheets. Not only do they feel amazing, but they’ve actually been shown to be a lot more friendly to your skin! Be sure to wash all sheets with a gentle detergent on a regular basis.

5. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

This should come as a no-brainer since “you are what you eat”, but it’s worth stating nonetheless. Consuming greasy foods and meals of poor nutritional value has been shown to lead swiftly to breakouts and other uncomfortable skin conditions. Meanwhile, following a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamins has been shown to improve skin health and even delay the effects of aging.

More specifically, some great foods for skin are super greens like kale and romaine, avocado, coconut and papaya. These vitamin-rich foods are also filled with the healthy kinds of fats, which reinforce skin and help keep it healthy.

It’s important to keep in mind that when skin is flaring up with irritation, it’s trying to say something. Whether it’s reacting to chemical products or the weather, irritated skin indicates that it’s time to make a change. Use these remedies to give irritated skin the treatment it deserves, and start feeling relief in no time.

You can smooth as many moisturizers, creams and serums over your skin as you want, but you won’t really be able to combat aging unless you understand how your skin works on the cellular level.

That’s right — it’s important to understand that there is currently no product, treatment or procedure in existence that can totally stop the aging process in its tracks (wouldn’t that be nice though!). However, by focusing on how aging occurs naturally in the first place, there are certain ways to slow down the appearance of it.

Physiological Aging vs. Extrinsic Aging 

Did you know that there are actually different types of aging? Though they occur simultaneously, they affect us differently, and we actually have more control over one than the other. There’s physiological aging (also known as “intrinsic aging”) is pre-determined by our genetics and cannot be controlled. Meanwhile, extrinsic changes is determined by our life choices and external factors. Because of this, we do have some control over it.

Physiological Aging – Though scientists have been focusing on combating the effects of genetic aging for decades, this is the kind of aging that occurs chronologically over time. Trying to stop it is therefore akin to trying to stop time itself. And when it comes to the aging that we see at surface level (most noticeably, with our skin), it really all comes down to changes in our skin cell DNA. This DNA degrades over time and gradually changes in function. Studies have shown that skin aging can be traced to the molecular changes found in Skin cell DNA, more specifically the individual molecules or “telomeres” that surround DNA and protect it. As skin cells reproduce over time, these telomeres become shorter. They become less protective of skin cell DNA as we age, leading to an actual aged appearance.

Extrinsic Aging – It’s long been known that how we live our lives can have a big effect on our appearance. For example, people who smoke, drink, use other drugs, don’t exercise or are even stressed out regularly have been shown to “age faster” than their healthier counterparts. Regular exposure to the sun and / or harsh environments can also age the skin faster. But why? The truth is that extrinsic aging also goes cell deep. But unlike physiological aging that occurs naturally, the external factors here (a.k.a. our life decisions) eventually cause enhance telomeres to shorten and become less protective. This shortening can also rapidly cause oxidation, inflammation, and glycation, all of which can lead to cell death. This in turn leads to thinner, more aged-looking skin.

Aging Through the Decades

As we go throughout our lives, it’s important to understand that the aging process changes as we go throughout life. Again, while we cannot control physiological aging, there are different measures we can take at different decades of our lives to combat the extrinsic aging that occurs.

The 20s – In our 20s, our skin is at its prime. The epidermis is the fullest it will ever be for the rest of our lives, collagen and elastin are being regularly produced, and the rate of cellular turnover is high. It’s also important to understand that the lifestyle choices we adapt in our 20s can determine our extrinsic aging later on. While regular tanning may not seem to cause aging now, for example, the exposure will eventually cause wrinkles, a “leathery look”, freckles or other signs of aging later on. To help combat extrinsic aging during this time, it’s crucial to make healthy life decisions. Using a daily moisturizer with peptides and an oil-free sunscreen will help, as will getting regular vitamins.

The 30s – In our 30s, things have already begun to slow down a bit. Fine lines and subtle facial wrinkles may appear, and the epidermis may start to show signs of thinning. On the bright side, however, estrogen levels peak during this decade of our lives, resulting in periods of excellent, almost glowing skin. Nevertheless, it’s more important than ever now to live a healthy lifestyle and get plenty of sleep. Using a daily moisturizer will help, as will starting to use products with retinoids to take an even firmer stance against the extrinsic aging process.

The 40s and Beyond – Once we hit middle age, skin changes and even pigment changes can be very noticeable. This is also the time when the skin may first appear to sag, which will only get worse as the decades go on. Our skin cells do not retain moisture as well as they once did, and collagen and elastin levels are gradually decreasing. Collagen levels plummet at the onset of menopause, resulting in even more damage. Sleep is absolutely vital during this time, as is using daily moisturizing and retinol products. Avoiding sun exposure is also crucial, and it is of course still important to make healthy life choices in general.

Using Advanced Skincare Products

To combat extrinsic aging, it’s crucial to not just live a healthy lifestyle but also to use the most advanced skincare products out there on the market. The James Anthony Skincare line was developed by professional skincare experts and is free of the harsh and harmful chemicals that plague other skincare lines. Most importantly, these products penetrate the skin to help create a balance within the cellular walls themselves. With regular use, the result is healthy, glowing skin that defies extrinsic aging.

Jennifer Hayes – Creator of James Anthony Skincare – Dishin’ It Up w/ Jan D’Atri

Your skin is easily one of the most important organs of your entire body. Not only is it the protective layer that keeps you safe from your surroundings, but it’s also home to your facial features, a.k.a. “you”. Healthy skin shines and seems to glow with life, while unhealthy skin is dull and pallid in comparison. No matter what age you are, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following a consistent skincare routine will ensure your skin is at its best both now and for years in the future.

But not just any skincare routine will do. It’s important to follow one that is customized to suite your specific skin type and lifestyle needs. Here’s what you need to know about why a good skincare routine is important and how to find what works best for you and your skin.

Your Skin Sheds Daily

Your skin renews itself again and again, shedding millions of old cells daily. This is why a daily routine (instead of a more sporadic one) is so important and will go a long way in keeping your skin vibrant and youthful.

Not following a daily skincare regimen can make common problems like hyperpigmentation, fine lines and deep wrinkles, acne scarring, etc. even worse. But with current skincare products having become so mainstream and affordable, there is no need for anyone to go without! Using advanced skincare products daily can greatly reduce the appearance of these skin issues and, in some cases, prevent them entirely.

The Basics of Skincare

While different people are going to require different skin routines, those looking for the most effective results are still going to want to follow a few basic steps: cleanse and tone, apply serum / moisturizer, and in most cases, use a day/night cream as well as an eye cream. You will want to exfoliate regularly as well in order to help your skin shed old cells and keep its fresh appearance.

While this may seem like a lot, these steps really just take minutes to do. While some results (such as moisturization) can be noticed immediately, others (such as the anti-aging effects) can take some time to appear after a period of consistently following the routine. Likewise, taking care of your skin now can go a long way in terms of preventing future skin problems. Years from now, you’ll be thankful you started following a good skin regimen so long ago.

What’s a Serum?

Serums are a relatively modern invention on the skincare front, having only just become commonplace in the 21st Century. These are lightweight, full coverage products that are designed for specific purposes like anti-aging, pigment correction, brightening, moisturizing, etc. They penetrate the skin’s surface deeply and are often more effective than traditional facial creams. Many are also multipurpose and work to tackle multiple areas and issues at once.

The serum your skin needs will obviously depend on your skin type and the specific issues you face on a regular basis. Keep in mind that it is wise not to mix serums, as this could risk clogging your pores or even causing an unwanted reaction to the different products being put on your skin.

How Do I Know What Products My Skin Needs?

There are some easy, general rules you can follow to find the best skincare products for you! Keep in mind that sometimes there will be a little trial and error involved, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get things right immediately!

Dry skin will obviously require a daily moisturizer (though it is worth noting that most skin types benefit from at least some level of daily moisturizing). Sensitive skin that often experiences redness or undesirable reactions will require gentle products designed just for sensitive types, though it may also benefit from multi-purpose products that prevent a ton of different substances being placed on the skin. Skin of all ages can benefit from anti-aging products, as they will help delay aging effects in younger people and help to reverse or minimize them in older people.

If you’re unsure of your skin type or need a little more assistance, contact the experts at James Anthony Skincare for more information!