Having great skin isn’t something that comes easily to everyone.  In order to prolong your skin’s elasticity and keep it blemish free, you should practice good skin care habits.  This should be a part of your daily routine that doesn’t get skipped.

If you aren’t ready to go out and spend $600 on Madonna’s new luxury skincare line, don’t worry.  You don’t have to go to great lengths in order to have a good skin or even spend all that much.  It’s ultimately about following the golden rules which will sure to keep your skin glowing and beautiful for years to come.

Always Wear Sunscreen

It’s important to always wear sunscreen even if it’s an overcast day. The American Academy of Dermatology says “The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.”  Therefore, make sure that putting sunscreen on your face is something that you do habitually just like brushing your teeth.  Not just when you’re on vacation on the beach.

It’s recommended to wear an SPF of 30 minimum, however, for extra protection, you may want to consider a 50.  Your skin’s youth will be preserved much longer.

Wash Your Face Every Night

Even if sometimes you don’t feel like it, and the only thing that you want to do at the end of the day is go to sleep, it’s important to always wash your face before bed.  Otherwise, you run the risk of acne and clogged pores.

You may want to incorporate an exfoliant into your face washing routine.  This will shed dead skin cells and make room for new ones giving the skin a more vibrant appearance.  Usually, a dull texture on your skin means that you need a good exfoliating session.

Don’t Sleep On Your Face

When you sleep on your face you are putting pressure on it and encouraging wrinkles to form.  Make sure that you try to sleep on your back or with your head elevated on your side.

You’ll also find that your skin will be less prone to breakouts since it’s not rubbing against the fabric of your bedsheets.

Always Moisturize

It’s important to keep the moisture in your skin locked in by applying a moisturizer every day under your sunscreen.  You should buy one that is appropriate for your skin type so that it isn’t too light for your skin if you’re on the dry side and won’t lead to breakouts if its too heavy and you’re on the oily side.

In addition to a daytime moisturizer, you should also apply nighttime moisturizer so that your skin can soak up all of its goodness while you rest.  That way you wake up the next morning radiant.