5 Beauty Habits that Will Help You Love Your Skin

We all want better skin, less breakouts, and effortlessly glowing skin.

But the truth about skin is that it responds, adapts and changes, just as we do. Our skin receives signals from our bodies and our hormones, and those signals can cause our skin to be more prone to breakouts, dry in the winter, oily, or fill in the blank.

Just like our skin communicates when something is completely off (ie: breakouts), our skin also communicates in other, more subtle ways.

Have you ever noticed that after brushing your teeth that afterward, or even much later, the skin around your mouth seems dry or irritated? That's because some toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a chemical found in many personal care products that is a known skin irritant. The dryness is your skin's way of saying 'help!' but without a breakout.

If you want more good skin days, these five habits are key:

1. Pay attention to your skin.

This is a daily practice that takes time. Notice how your skin is in the morning, or after using certain products over others. This goes for your skincare, but also for beauty, makeup and other personal care products. If you notice repeated patterns of breakouts, dryness or skin irritation in the same spots after using certain products, stop using those products - they could be doing more harm than good.

2. Wear less makeup.

We love a good basic beauty routine, but sometimes your skin just needs to breathe, especially if you wear foundation everyday. If you want to master the ‘no makeup’ makeup look that is glowy and fresh, skip the foundation and swipe a little color on your lips, cheeks and bridge of nose for highlight.

3. Drink more water (and don't skip fruits and vegetables).

Hydrating is key if you want more vibrant skin, naturally. Drinking water, along with eating fruits and vegetables that are high in water content can work wonders for the skin. Apples, pineapple, strawberries, melons, cucumber and celery are just a few options of the many foods that can work from the inside out to treat your skin.

Pro tip: add juicing and smoothies to your daily routine and both your skin and body will thank you!

4. Be consistent with your skincare routine.

You owe it to yourself to make skincare a priority, not because of the results you will get, but because skincare is self care. Create space in your schedule, no matter how hectic or busy, to relax, and take care of your skin. And if you're the type of person who needs a reminder to take time out for yourself, try this.

5. Appreciate your real skin.

You are beautiful without the makeup and without the filter. Don't be afraid to show off your real skin, and embrace what makes you who you are.