Taking care of your skin can seem super intimidating thanks to the overwhelming amount of products, treatments, lasers and facials out there. But you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars and invest tons of time to get better skin.

As it turns out, the basics of skincare are pretty simple and highly underrated. And if you're a health-conscious person, chances are you're already checking most of the boxes below. 

Beauty bloggers and influencers may make you feel like you need all the things (like fancy lasers and light devices) to get better skin, there are quite a few science-backed principles that can help you.‍

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Use sunscreen every day

Zap away those harmful UV rays

Sunny days are perfect for getting active outdoors, but the sun’s rays can badly damage your skin, especially since you’re exposed to them in more ways than you’d expect each day. If you spend most of your time indoors or don't live in a sunny place, it's easy to neglect sunscreen, especially in the winter. But you still need sunscreen since your skin is exposed through the car or while walking on your commute, and you can even get sun damage in overcast weather. 

Harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays penetrate through clouds, and can even reach you through car and building windows. While the damage is milder than that of direct sunlight, it still speeds up the skin’s ageing process.‍

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Moisturise daily

Lock in the moisture

Moisturising is a crucial step to maintain your skin’s healthy cells and to protect it from irritation. People who moisturise faithfully in their youth are much more likely to have beautiful complexions when they're older.

Skin moisturisers keep the top layer of skin cells hydrated and seal in moisture. Moisturisers often contain humectants to attract moisture, occlusive agents to retain moisture in the skin, and emollients to smooth the spaces between skin cells.

It's essential to keep your skin moisturised in order for it to feel and look healthy. And even if you have oily skin or acne, your skin still needs moisture.

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‍Sleep 

A good night's rest

It's no question that getting enough sleep is essential for good health. And it's no different for your skin. Still not sold? One study found that sleep deprivation clearly affects skin appearance and increases the look of wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles among other not-so-appealing signs. 

Aiming for seven to eight hours minimum of uninterrupted sleep will pay off for your complexion. People classed as poor sleepers had increased signs of premature skin ageing and a decreased ability for their skin to repair itself at night from environmental stressors such as sun exposure. During deep sleep, your body enters repair mode and regenerates skin, muscles, and blood and brain cells. Without adequate sleep, your body is unable to produce new collagen. Collagen prevents your skin from sagging.

Try to get an early night and sleep for a full 7 to 8 hours to look your best.

‍Watch what you eat

Beauty is skin deep

Just like getting enough sleep is vital for your health, so is cleaning up your diet and avoiding sugar and processed foods. Eating lots of sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed and fried foods not only takes a toll on your overall health, but your skin can suffer too.

Many experts agree that what you eat has a strong effect on your skin health, and research has shown that diet is essential when it comes to certain skin conditions like acne, skin cancer and ageing skin. 

Here are some foods that have been acknowledged by research as being skin-healthy:

Mangoes contain compounds with antioxidant properties. These compounds help to protect components of the skin, such as collagen.

Tomatoes have skin cancer-prevention benefits. One study in mice revealed that daily tomato consumption decreased the development of skin cancer tumours by 50 per cent after UV light exposure. Consuming tomatoes on a daily basis may help to protect against skin cancer.

Olive oil is associated with a lower risk of severe facial photo-aging — that is, cumulative damage to the skin that includes wrinkles, dark spots, and discolouration, which result from long-term sunlight exposure.

Green tea has been tied to many skin benefits. Compounds found in green tea called polyphenols to rejuvenate dying skin cells, which suggests that they may be useful for healing wounds or certain skin conditions.

Omega-3 found in oily fish, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds or oils such as linseed oil and corn oil may prevent dryness and scaling of the skin.

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Stay hydrated

Water. The not-so-secret elixir. 

How much water do you drink each day?

If you’re not drinking at least eight full glasses a day, you’re not drinking enough, and that’s a significant problem. Staying properly hydrated is necessary for your overall health. Not only does water play an essential role in your digestion and circulation, but it’s also vital for your skin’s health and beauty.

Water helps you from the inside out.

For your skin’s sake, it’s one of the easiest and best beauty treatments you can do. No, you might not be able to get rid of all your favourite beauty products just because you’re drinking more water, but it will definitely help. 

Disclaimer: Results may vary from individual to individual