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7 Surprising Ways To Improve Your Complexion
Most of us already know to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize our skin, but if you skin still isn't looking the way you want, there's more you can do. Some skincare tips are obvious, but there are a number of surprising ways you can improve your complexion, and some of these tricks can actually make your skin look better on the spot. You don't always need fancy products or special tools to attain a smooth and bright complexion. Instead, you just need to get a little creative.
"A beautiful, bright complexion stems from healthy skin," says licensed esthetician Melissa Morris over email. "Since healthy skin takes time to achieve, you may have to fake it to make it in order to get instant results. Think: exfoliate and hydrate. The combination of these two skin treatments will improve your complexion instantly."
Whether you've got lots of time to tend to your skin, or you're in a huge rush before a party and need a quick fix, there's something you can do to improve the look of your skin no matter how much time you have or where you are. Here are 11 surprising ways to improve your complexion instantly, according to dermatologists and estheticians.
1Apply Ice
Applying ice to the skin can help reduce inflammation, minimize the appearance of pores, reduce signs of wrinkles, and reduce puffiness, according to Christine Fernandes, a Licensed Advanced Aesthetician, over email. "Following cleansing, wrap ice in a soft cloth and roll on skin for up to 15 minutes," she says. "Apply directly to acne lesions as well."
2Try Facial Acupressure
"Facial acupressure is an Eastern Medicine technique of applying finger pressure to specific areas of the face, which yields health and beauty benefits," says Fernandes. "It increases blood circulation, brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin, restores a vibrant look. It promotes lymphatic drainage, enhancing the skin's appearance and removing toxins which can dull your complexion."
3Exercise
When you exercise, the added blood, oxygen, and nutrient supply to the skin improves collagen production. "Collagen is the support structure of our skin, and it helps keeps skin smooth," says Fernandes. "It also regulates skin oil called sebum — this helps skin look healthy and supple. Those natural oils can also moisturize the skin." Also during exercise, sweat purges the body of toxins in the skin that contribute to oil and debris congestion.
4Use Tea Bags
Head to the kitchen and get out those tea bags to help with dark circles and acne. "If you suffer from puffiness or dark circles around the eyes, apply cold tea bags over the eyes for 10 minutes for immediate relief and a glowing complexion," says Morris. "Got acne? Apply these tea bags over inflamed acne lesions to reduce inflammation and induce healing."
5Take A Shorter Shower
"Showering and being in the water dries out your skin," says dermatologist Dr. Alan J. Parks over email. "It's okay shower every day, but you should keep your showers relatively short so that your skin doesn't dry out."
6Use Some Coffee Grounds
Cleanse your skin as your making your morning coffee. "For an all over glow, grab ground coffee and mix granulated sugar to smooth, tighten and brighten the skin," says esthetician Gina Mari over email. You can even do this on your legs, back, and buttocks area."
7Freeze Some Spoons
It sounds strange, but applying frozen spoons onto your face can help improve your complexion. "For a quick skin-tightening effect, leave your eye serum and moisturizer in the refrigerator, after applying place freezer cold spoons under your eyes for a de-puff," says Mari.
