As active ladies, we never allow sweat, mud, and temperature fluctuations to get in the way of our work outs. We love the outdoors and being close to nature. Therefore, we must take special care of our skin as we are constantly exposed to the sun and pollutants.

Being out on the sun is great, but beware of UV rays

1. Beautiful on the outside

Basic:

Cleanse – tone – moisturize

• It might sound basic, but the key to mastering these 3 simple steps is finding the right product for your skin type. Plus, as we age, our skin will have different requirements too, so it is always important to adapt and change along the way according to your skin’s requirements.

Finding the right cleanser, toner, and moisturizer will do wonders for your skin

Sun protection

• Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming/ sweating. Not only will this prevent sunburn, but it will also minimize wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tones.

Thanks to the new swimwear, most of your body parts are covered from sunburn. Now all you need is sunscreen for your face!

Bonus:

Weekly face masks

Home made and natural

• If you don’t have time for a professional facial session with a dermatologist or a beautician, an inexpensive face mask is the fastest and cheapest way to give your skin some TLC. You can make some at home by using natural ingredients such as honey, raw sugar, coffee, and lemon. But there are plenty in the local drugstore too, read the ingredients carefully.

Serums/ essential oils

Argan oil can be used on your hair and nails too.

• Contrary to popular belief, high grade essential oil will not leave the skin oily. It is quickly absorbed into the skin, and is best left overnight. My favourite is tea tree oil (for pimples and blackheads) and argan oil (all over the face to maintain youthfulness, minimize pores, moisturize, and reduce scars).

2. Beautiful on the inside

Basic:

Well-balanced diet

A healthy diet doesn’t have to be boring or bland

• Omega-3 fatty acid from salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds. It improves skin elasticity, giving a youthful appearance to your skin.
• Antioxidants. Colourful fruits and vegetable such as tomato, blueberries, and spinach contain antioxidants that can help fight free radicals (molecules that harm the skin and cause signs of aging)
• Drink enough water
• Quit smoking and minimize caffeine intake.

Bonus:

Supplements

• Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, helps to fight radicals that are formed from exposure to pollutants, sun, and the natural process of aging. It is found abundantly in oranges, however, swallowing a 1000mg tablet is more convenient than eating a few oranges. It is also an immune system booster.

• Collagen.

Collagen is a protein that helps to hold our skin together, giving it a ‘bouncy’ appearance and maintain its elasticity. After the age of 25 years old, our collagen production slows down so the skin starts to sag and wrinkle. It is also boosts your skin’s natural repair process, so it helps to reduce scars. Nowadays, there are plenty of collagen supplements and you will be spoilt for choices. For muslims, check the ingredients and ensure that it is halal-certified because collagen can come from bovine or porcine sources. When in doubt about the safety of the ingredients, check with a medical professional before consuming.

• Biotin for hair and nails.

Biotin are also found in avocado too

More study is needed on this matter, however since there are no negative side effects on biotin there is nothing wrong in consuming a tablet, as long as you stick to the recommended dosage. Biotin helps strengthen hair and nail, so they are less brittle, thicker, and more shiny.

Until next week,

The Weekend Runner