Damaged skin can be a bane for many women and men equally alike. There are several internal and external factors which can cause the dermal layers of skin to start deteriorating. It can be a severe illness, over-exposure to sun, smoking, alcohol and drug addiction, wrong prescription of medication, overuse of chemical and harsh products, long showers and steaming, picking on skin, chlorinated water, topical application of concentrated products, over-exfoliation skin allergies, food allergies, constantly changing climatic conditions, hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, stress, ageing and nutritional deficiencies, etc. Truly, there are uncountable instigators that can lead to damage of skin. Hence, it is recommended to follow a properly balanced diet and a strict skincare regime that is suitable for your skin and body.
Firstly, you need to adjust your daily food intake and nutrition chart. Consult a dermatologist and nutritionist to draw proper conclusions. Include foods in your diet which help with repairing skin damage and providing hydration to the skin cells. Fruits and vegetables that have antioxidants are considered skin saviours in the food pyramid world. You should eat lots of berries, drink lots of liquids, consume complex carbohydrates and binge on healthy greens. You should also include foods that provide vitamin A and C, zinc and omega-3 in your diet. Add lean proteins such as chicken, low-fat fish, other seafood and whey smoothies. If you’re a vegetarian, consider adding chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, kidney beans and other forms of plant protein to your diet.
Secondly, drink lots and lots of water. You can either drink plain filtered water or fruits juices to keep your skin hydrated. An individual should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to regulate blood circulation and digestion process. The skin cells require lots of moisture and hydration to repair on itself. Hence, make it a habit to sip on the water every few minutes throughout the day. In order to avoid getting bored with plain water, you can also infuse water with a slice of fruits and herbs. Citric fruits such as lemons, limes, cucumbers, oranges and strawberries have a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which are considered essential for the skin. You can infuse a jar or bottle of water with few slices of any citric fruit, cucumber and mint. It is both healthy and delicious!
Thirdly, avoid exposure to the sun. Always wear a layer of good sunscreen (preferably SPF 25 and above) to avoid damage to the skin. The skin cells are very sensitive and easily prone to damage when exposed to the UV rays. Sometimes harsh chemicals and substances present in skincare and beauty products can react negatively when exposed to sun rays. Hence, apply a layer of sunscreen before going out in the morning. You should keep on reapplying the sunscreen every 3 to 4 hours as it can wear off over time. You should also wear sunscreen under makeup and moisturiser. Overexposure to the sun can cause hyperpigmentation and dryness. It can also delay the process of healing damaged skin.
Best Home Remedies For Damaged Skin
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which heal and clear the damaged skin. Aloe vera helps in balancing the production of natural oils, treating acne and blemishes, reducing the appearance of scars and dealing with hyperpigmentation. It also helps in healing damaged skin caused due to a wound, injury or an insect bite. Aloe vera gel can be easily extracted from an aloe vera plant. You can either use it topically or mix it with other natural ingredients such as jojoba oil and shea butter to provide extra hydration and moisture to the skin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has the needed acidity to repair damaged skin cells. It is mostly used for treating hyperpigmentation due to genetics or overexposure to the sun. Some medications and hormonal changes can also cause pigmentation of skin around the lips, chin and cheek area. Apple cider vinegar also helps in eczema. You can either ingest diluted apple cider vinegar or a dab a soaked cotton ball all over the face. It will also balance the pH level of the skin.
3. Lemon Water
Lemons have citric acid and vitamin C which are needed to repair damaged skin cells. Citric acid helps in healing skin from inflammation, irritation or allergies. It has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C has antioxidants which are necessary for maintaining a radiant and clear skin. You can either inject lemon water or use it in your scrubs and face masks for effective results.
4. Oiling
Oiling is very important for everyone’s skincare routine. Oils such as coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and other effective carrier oils help in providing moisture to the skin. Oiling is the best treatment for dryness, eczema, loose and hanging skin. It tightens the skin and delays the process of aging. Different oils also have different benefits suitable for different skin tones. Hence, it is recommended to read up on different types of oil before using them. You can also use oils to make natural body lotions, moisturizers and infused oils.
5. Yogurt
Yogurt moisturises the skin and provides hydration to the skin cells. It heals and protects the damaged skin cells from further harm. It helps in the treatment of dry skin, eczema, hyperpigmentation, dark spots and acne. You can both eat yogurt and use it as a natural skin care ingredient in your face scrubs and masks. Simply apply a layer of fresh yogurt on the face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes for effective results.
6. Baking Soda
Baking soda helps in breaking down the natural oils also referred to as sebum. Excess production of sebum can build up layers of acids and oils on the face. This can cause inflammation and irritation to the skin in the form of pimples, acne, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Baking soda also helps in maintaining the pH level of the epidermis layer. Simply apply a paste of baking soda and water on the face for 15-20 minutes before washing it off.
7. Ice
Ice is generally used in medicine and at home to provide relief to damaged skin. It helps in treating skin inflammation, redness and irritation caused by sunburns, injuries, wounds and allergies. Rub ice over the affected area for 1 to 2 minutes or as long as the cold feels bearable. You can also customize the ice cubes by freezing infused water. You can infuse it with lemon water, cucumber juice, yogurt and rose water.
8. Honey
Honey is a natural moisturizer which is effective in healing damaged skin. It helps in treating dryness, eczema, pigmentation, inflammation and other skin allergies. You can either use honey as a face mask or add it to your multi-ingredient face scrub. Apply honey on the face on alternate days for effective and clear results.
9. Neem
Neem has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties similar to the tea tree essential oil. Neem can either be eaten raw or made into a paste for application. You can also easily buy neem oil. It helps in healing damaged skin caused by wounds, injuries, skin allergies, sunburns and other forms of skin inflammations. Apply a layer of neem oil at night for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with warm water. You can also grind raw neem and use it in the form of face scrub and face mask.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is an age-old natural formula used by Indian women for centuries to help heal damaged skin caused through wounds, injuries, skin inflammation and sunburns. Turmeric has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is used as a natural wound disinfectant. You can add a teaspoon of turmeric to your face masks and face scrubs for achieving effective and quick results.
11. Amla Berry
Amla berries are another rich source of vitamin C. The sour-tasting berries help in protecting the skin from sun damage and inflammation. It keeps the skin hydrated and encourages the production of collagen (a protein). Collagen helps in delaying aging and maintaining healthy skin. You can intake amla berries raw, in the form of juice or make them into a pickle. You can also make a face mask or face scrub from the pulp and juice of amla berries.
12. Tea Tree & Lavender
Both tea tree oil and lavender essential oil are equally effective in healing damaged skin when used separately. However, when used together, the combination can be miraculous. A mixture of both diluted with a carrier oil (preferably sweet almond oil or jojoba oil) should be applied daily. It should be left on for 15-20 minutes. It helps in soothing and calming damaged skin caused by acne scarring, sunburns, and other forms of skin inflammations.
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