Jerusalem Post

ByWALLA! HEALTH

Summer demands a different skincare routine. So instead of applying more and more creams – there are several natural methods you can use to maintain your skin and make it healthier and more radiant.

We’ve gotten used to thinking that in order to improve the appearance of our skin, we must pay for expensive treatments or products that cost as much as a vacation abroad. But the secret to a youthful appearance also lies in small, seemingly simple habits – ones that don’t cost a single shekel, yet can significantly impact your skin, your energy levels, and even your wrinkles.
When people talk about a “healthy lifestyle,” it sometimes feels like something that requires a lot of work and effort. Even those who know that healthy habits will benefit their skin sometimes prefer to pay for plastic or aesthetic treatments because it’s just much easier. But in reality, studies show that even the simple actions you’re probably already doing daily – and the small choices you make without thinking – affect your skin in the long run even more than any single treatment. So here are a few research-proven habits that can not only help you look younger within two months, but also help you feel younger and more energized along the way.
Here Are All the Tips
1. Walk for 20 Minutes in the Sun

Cardiovascular health is directly linked to a younger, more refreshed appearance. A 20-minute walk a day can improve blood circulation, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and increase oxygen supply to skin cells – all of which contribute to vital, youthful skin. And if you take the extra step and walk outdoors (yes, even in the crazy summer heat), sunlight helps produce more vitamin D and regulate the biological clock in a way that promotes deeper sleep at night – which is also critical for skin repair and renewal.

A 2022 study found a direct link between a short daily walk in the sun and improved mood and reduced stress – two factors that are clearly linked to skin aging. So try to find time for a short walk every morning, or just take a phone call while walking during the day.
2. Treat Yourself to a Short Daily Facial Massage
It may seem overly simplistic, but a daily two-minute face massage using just your hands helps improve blood flow, drain fluids accumulated overnight, and relax tense muscles, especially around the eyes and jaw. Over time, this simple action can result in tighter skin, more defined contours, and an overall relaxed and vibrant expression.
After applying moisturizer in the morning or evening, use gentle upward circular motions from the jawline to the temples. Press lightly under the eyes and move outward toward the temples to reduce puffiness. Finally, use your knuckles in slow circular motions around the forehead and cheeks. Just two minutes a day can lead to visible changes in your facial skin over time.

3. Don’t Forget Water – Inside and Out

One of the main causes of tired, wrinkled, or dull skin is dehydration. Studies show that drinking water throughout the day helps maintain cell volume and skin elasticity, but it’s also important to “seal in” that moisture from the outside. Within a minute of washing your face, apply a water-based serum or moisturizing spray. This technique helps protect the skin’s barrier.
Additionally, start your day with a glass of water before your coffee, and keep a bottle with a water spray next to your work desk to refresh your skin throughout the day – especially if you’re sitting under the air conditioner constantly.
4. Stick to a Skin-Friendly Diet
If you start your day with coffee and a pastry, you’re probably encouraging internal inflammation that damages collagen and speeds up wrinkle formation. On the other hand, studies show that incorporating foods with healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants – like avocado, nuts, leafy greens, and berries – helps reduce inflammation and strengthens the skin’s elasticity from the inside out.
Add-ons like cinnamon or turmeric can provide an extra anti-inflammatory boost and help improve the skin’s flexibility and vitality.
 

5. Create an Effective Evening Routine
Sleep is when your skin goes into repair mode, cells regenerate, and the nervous system resets. But if your bedtime routine involves scrolling on your phone in front of a TV screen or under bright fluorescent lights, you’re sabotaging this critical process. Instead, take 45 minutes before bed to disconnect from screens, read a book, and dim the lights.
Also, pamper your skin with a consistent ritual, which can include cleansing with a warm cloth, applying a facial oil, or a calming cream with ingredients like chamomile or ceramides. And here’s an advanced bonus tip: wear a silk or satin eye mask – it not only blocks out light but also protects the delicate eye area from friction that can cause fine lines over time.
6. Protect Your Skin from Screen Damage
Screens don’t just harm your skin before bed, but also during the day – in ways many people don’t even realize. You may not have noticed that screen placement can affect posture due to tilting your head downward. This can lead to sagging skin around the jawline and deep wrinkles on the neck and chest. Poor posture also limits oxygen flow and results in a tired, lifeless appearance.
So what should you do? Simply raise the screen to eye level using books or a laptop stand. Sit with your feet flat, shoulders relaxed, and chin parallel to the floor. One more pro tip: Set a reminder every hour to just get up and stretch.