Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it serves as a protective barrier against infections and harmful elements in the environment. But because of the inevitable exposure to pollution, dust, bacteria and UV rays, our delicate skin needs constant care and protection to avoid skin problems from manifesting as we age.
We know it can be tough to fit in a holistic skincare regimen in your daily routine, so here are 8 easy skincare hacks to help you tackle Singapore’s weather.
1. Change your bedsheets
From body sweat, drool and bacteria that comes into contact with your bedsheets every day, it’ll probably turn into a germy wasteland in no time. And who has time to make the bed regularly when we’re rushing to work or tired from a long day of activities?
If you’re guilty of the above, you might want to tweak your daily routine to include bed hygiene. Bedsheets and pillow cases should be washed at least once a week. Avoid slumping onto it at the end of the day without taking a nice hot shower.
2. Use a dermatologist-approved cleanser
There’s a big difference between a normal and dermatologist-approved cleanser. The latter is much better for your skin – it’s gentle, maintains a good balance of the lathering agent and doesn’t completely remove your skin’s natural oils. The next time you’re shopping for skin products, be sure to check for “dermatologically-tested” in the packaging description.
3. Hydration is vital
Although it may seem like a small change, staying well hydrated can really go a long way in helping your skin keep that elasticity and youthfulness. Drinking eight glasses of water a day not only helps to regulate your body processes, buts also combats skin dryness and wrinkles. You can even add fruits such as lemons, berries and melons to your drink for extra taste and minerals.
4. Don’t touch your zits!
Though it’s really tempting at times, popping pimples can make your acne worse, and may even lead to scarring. When you poke at your zit, you’re pushing infected substances deeper into your skin, which would make it more red and swollen. If you’re suffering from acne, talk to a doctor and he can advise you on the next steps to treat it and prevent scarring or infections.
5. Wash your make-up brushes
Your make-up brushes and bags are a cozy place for germs to dwell, especially if you bring them along for dinners and parties. Be sure to wash your brushes and bags regularly with soap or cleansers and keep it away from damp and warm places. Apart from that, remember to replace your make-up every six months, especially if they are used for your eyes.
6. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Dry skin can be caused by the weather, certain soaps and cleaning products, aging or health conditions. However, you can manage dry skin by making sure your skin is sufficiently moisturised with dermatologically-tested moisturisers. If you’re constantly suffering from dry skin, show it some love by making moisturising a daily routine.
7. Always wear sunscreen
Singapore is notorious for its hot weather, which means sunscreen is vital to protect yourself from skin damage. Wear sunscreen every time you go outdoors, even if it’s cloudy or if you’re only out in the sun for a short while. Pick a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and you can also get ones that are non-acnegenic to protect your pores.
8. Get help!
If you’ve got stubborn or persistent skin problems, talk to a skincare expert or dermatologist for a deeper analysis of your skin type and a treatment plan to improve your condition.
But if you’re bogged down by a common skin condition or suffering from acne, our doctors can help! Video consult a doctor on our platform for common skin issues and get help within minutes, with medication delivered to your doorstep. We’re also open during Christmas, weekends and any other public holidays. Click here to download our app.