Taking measures to prevent skin problems before they occur is always the best course of action you can take. Even so, sometimes things can get a little out of hand. In that case, it is best to be armed with a few additional tips. Don’t just know how to keep your skin looking healthy, know what to do when something goes wrong.

To make sure your skin looks amazing, get enough rest. Scientific research has found that skin cells renew themselves faster while you’re sleeping. Getting a healthy amount of sleep also improves overall health, which helps prevent breakouts. Doctors often recommend that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep per night, but the proper amount of sleep varies by individual, so get to know how much sleep your skin needs to look great.

To keep your skin healthy it is very important to drink plenty of water. Doing so can help your body flush out the toxins that can clog up your pores and cause skin imperfections and acne. Drinking the recommended amount of water (approximately 8 glasses a day) is sufficient for skin care.

For clear skin, do more laundry — specifically, wash your bed linens. The oils and dirt from your skin are transferred to your pillow case while you sleep, so regularly washing your bed linens, especially your pillow case, prevents you from putting dirt and oil back on your skin every time you go to bed. Wash your pillow case every other day and your bed sheets at least once a week.

Eat watercress to reduce facial skin puffiness, inflammation, and pore size. You can eat watercress as a snack or a meal; either way it will be good for your skin. Not only will it be a positive for your skin, it is loaded with iron and antioxidants that keep you healthy.

If your current day cream or lotion does not contain ingredients to protect your skin from the sun, consider mixing in a lightweight sunscreen. Ideally, your facial products should offer SPF of at least 15. Seek out skincare with sun-loving ingredients like vobenzone, Helioplex, or micronized zinc. These ingredients offer broad-spectrum coverage without affecting the appearance of the skin’s coloring.

Do not smoke if you want healthy skin. Smoking ages your skin, making you appear older than you really are. It causes the blood vessels in the top layers of skin to become thinner, decreasing blood flow, and causing the skin to be depleted of oxygen as well as other key nutrients. In addition, smoking causes the collagen fibers of your skin to weaken. These fibers are what give your skin strength as well as elasticity.

In order to keep your skin safe from the sun, always make sure to wear some type of lotion or makeup that has at least 15 SPF in it. Sunscreen should not be an option. It should be a must have. It will help to prevent sunburn, which causes peeling skin and wrinkles. Applying sunscreen every day before going outside can prevent premature aging, keeping your skin healthy and youthful longer.

Those were just some of the many methods out there for keeping your skin looking great. When your skin is not looking ideal, try not to just shrug it off. You can always do something about it. Remember that for nearly every skin problem, there is almost always a solution.