I love the summer months because the sun gives my face a hint of color. Any imperfections are hidden by that sun glow I get even when I wear SPF. We spend more time outdoors in the summer and get a good daily dose of vitamin D. Then fall comes around and we slowly start to turn up the heat, spend more time outdoors and our skin is exposed to harsh cold winds. Naturally, your skin is going to react to this big environmental change so be sure to be prepared this year with the right tools to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. 

Drink Water All Day

 My first sign that my skin was feeling the affects of the seasons changing was that I was thirsty all the time. My lips felt chapped, my mouth dry and I could tell that my body needed more water intake. During the summer months, I am constantly drinking water or some beverage to keep cool in the heat. But during the fall, I just forget to keep a water bottle around me at all times. Now I fill up a big tumbler of water and keep it with me throughout the day as a reminder to keep drinking water. 

The Lazy Version of an Organic Diet

You won’t find me shopping exclusively in the organic section of the grocery store, but I do try to buy fresh food always. If 2020 taught me anything, it’s how to cook with fresh ingredients because I had the time to experiment in the kitchen. Now we cook almost all of our meals from scratch and stay away from processed foods. To stay healthy, we also limit our dairy intake and use dairy alternatives whenever we can. Our fridge has chopped up vegetables for easy snacks and always have a stocked fridge so we have easy dinner options instead of ordering in. 

Moisturize

I go to bed every night with dewy skin because of the amount of products on my face to keep it hydrated and healthy. It took a while but I finally found a nighttime routine that got me ready for bed in under 5 minutes that worked for me and my needs. At night before bed, I wash my face, brush my teeth and apply toner, serum and a moisturizer before bed. A lot of this is for preventative care knowing I will appreciate this 5 minutes of self care a night in 10 years. It’s a lot more difficult to correct skin damage and make it healthy again than a few minutes a day of preventative care. Create a routine that works for you to apply a face moisturizer at night on your face, neck and chest and your future self will thank you for it!

Create a Healthy Lifestyle

Lack of sleep, stress, anxiety are just a few things that can make your face look tired and dull. A few years ago I started to set an alarm at night as a reminder when I should be getting into bed. Some days I need that little reminder that it’s time to unwind and get into bed. Sleep is so important for skin health and for calming anxiety throughout the day. (Almost) Everything is possible when you are well rested! Change your sheets weekly, use the Calm App to become less anxious and journal to release those strings of thought that can add to a stressful mind. 

Supplements

Besides taking my daily vitamin, I also have a scoop of Vital Proteins collagen in my morning coffee every day. If I have the time, I love to make a fruit and spinach smoothie in the afternoon to get my daily dose of fruit and vegetables. We need to be mindful of what we put into our body and I have seen big drastic improvements in my skin when I take certain supplements. However, always do your own research and do what is best for you and your lifestyle.