Don’t have time to devote to intensive skincare? You can still pamper yourself by mastering the fundamentals. Good skincare and a healthy lifestyle can help to postpone natural aging and prevent a variety of skin problems. Begin with these five no-nonsense suggestions.

1. Use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun

Protecting your skin from sun damage is one of the most important ways to care for it. A lifetime of sunlight exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin issues, as well as an increased risk of skin cancer.

To get the most detailed sun protection:

• Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours — or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.
• Seek out some shade: Avoid going out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
• Put on protective clothing Wear tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats to protect your skin. Consider laundry additives, which add an extra layer of ultraviolet protection to clothing for a limited number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don’t smoke

Smoking ages your skin and adds to age spots. Smoking constricts the tiny blood vessels in the skin’s outermost layers, reducing blood flow and making the skin paler. This also deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients, both of which are essential for skin health.

Cigarette smoking also harms collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. Furthermore, smoking-related repetitive facial expressions, such as trying to pursue your lips when huffing and squinting your eyes to keep smoke out, can contribute to wrinkles.

Furthermore, smoking increases your chances of developing squamous cell skin cancer. Quitting smoking is the best way to protect your skin. Consult your doctor for smoking cessation advice or treatments.

3. Treat your skin gently

Your skin can suffer as a result of daily cleansing and shaving. To keep things gentle:

• Limit your bath time: Long showers or baths with hot water remove oils from your skin. Limit your bathing or showering time and use warm — not hot — water.
• Strong soaps should be avoided: Strong soaps and detergents can strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, use gentle cleansers.
• Shave with caution: Apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel to your skin before shaving to protect and lubricate it. Use a clean, sharp razor for the closest shave possible. Shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against it.
• Allow to air dry:  After washing or bathing, pat or blot your skin dry gently with a towel, leaving some moisture on your skin.
• Hydrate dry skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. Consider using an SPF-containing moisturizer on a daily basis.

4. Maintain a healthy diet

A healthy diet can assist you in looking and feeling your best. Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Although the link between diet and acne is unclear, some research suggests that a diet high in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates may promote younger-looking skin. Keeping your skin hydrated is made easier by drinking plenty of water.

5. Deal with stress

Uncontrolled stress can cause your skin to become more sensitive, resulting in acne breakouts and other skin problems. Take steps to manage your stress to promote healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind. Get enough sleep, set reasonable boundaries, pare down your to-do list, and make time for the things you enjoy. The outcomes may be more dramatic than you expect.