A Dermatologist’s Guide to Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Skin

Great skin comes down to more than just the skincare you’re using. Your lifestyle habits have real effects on the way your skin appears. We asked dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD to break down her biggest tips for living a healthy skin lifestyle.

1. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables

Dr. Garshick recommends making sure you’re getting in sufficient fruits and veggies as part of a balanced diet to support healthy skin. In particular, she recommends making sure you’re eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as berries, pomegranate, green leafy vegetables, apples, broccoli, and artichokes.

 “Foods that are rich in antioxidants can help to protect against free radical damage and therefore improve the overall appearance of the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

2. Stay hydrated

When you’re not drinking enough water, your skin can display the signs of dehydration, too. Dr. Garshick says that “while there is no specific amount of water that necessarily will make the skin look younger, staying hydrated can be important for overall skin health.” The effects of dehydrated skin? “If you are dehydrated, the skin can appear dull and be more likely to show signs of aging,” says Dr. Garshick.

3. Reduce stress

“While easier said than done,” says Dr. Garshick, “it is important to find ways to reduce stress as this can help to improve overall skin health. It is known that stress can exacerbate skin conditions.” Stressed skin can trigger breakouts, conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and reduced elasticity of the skin, contributing to wrinkles.

4. Wash your pillowcases

“Many people don’t wash their pillowcases as often as they should and this can impact the skin as pillowcases can collect excess oil, makeup and other residue and then as a result of prolonged contact overnight, can contribute to irritation or breakouts,” says Dr. Garshick.

5. Clean your phone

“Phones not only carry germs but also excess dirt, debris and oil that can be transmitted to and from the skin and contribute to skin irritation and sensitivity. It is important to regularly clean your phone to help address this,” says Dr. Garshick.

6. Use lukewarm water

“Avoid using hot water on the skin as it can strip the skin of its natural oils. This can lead to skin dryness and irritation,” says Dr. Garshick.

7. Avoid peak hours in the sun

“While wearing sunscreen is important, lifestyle choices when it comes to sun protective behavior are important too and this includes avoiding peak hours in the sun when the UV rays are the strongest, typically between 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM,” says Dr. Garshick.

8. Remember to clean your makeup brushes.

“Makeup brushes can contribute to breakouts and skin irritation if not regularly cleaned as the buildup of excess makeup, dirt, and bacteria can all contribute to skin irritation, which can impact the overall appearance of the skin,” says Dr. Garshick.

9. Avoid picking.

“As tempting as it may be, it is important to avoid picking at your skin, whether it is a pimple, a scab or anything else,” says Dr. Garshick. “Picking at the skin can lead to scarring or infection and in the case of acne breakouts, may actually make the acne mark worse.”

10. Stop smoking

“Smoking cigarettes can impact the skin leading to signs of skin aging and dullness,” says Dr. Garshick. “By no longer smoking, not only does your overall health improve but so does the skin.”

Follow these dermatologist-approved lifestyle habits for your best skin ever. Of course, these tips are all in addition to a clean, non-toxic, and targeted skincare routine. Shop our bestselling natural skin care here.