Nargis Fakhri reveals her three skincare non-negotiables: ‘There is no quick fix’

Indianexpress.com reached out to health experts to understand the impact of this simple 3-pronged approach to caring for one’s skin.

Sleep

According to Delhi-based dermatologist Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, sleep helps repair and renew cells, neutralising free radicals that cause acne, wrinkles, and dark spots. Sleep helps regulate the kidneys’ sodium and water balance, which helps minimise water retention, she adds. Proper blood flow evens your skin tone and ensures proper nutrient delivery and absorption to cells. Getting adequate rest also helps cells renew themselves, and when you don’t get enough sleep, dark circles can form, and blood vessels can become constricted.

She suggested getting 7-9 hours of sleep. “Go to bed at the same time every night. Make sure your room’s temperature is at 18-20 °C,” she said, adding that when you do so, make sure you do not consume meals 3-4 hours before going to bed.

Hydration

Dr Jaishree Sharad, a cosmetic dermatologist, told us that drinking warm water leads to sweating, which is a natural mechanism of releasing toxins from the body. “Warm water also improves sinus congestion, thereby reducing puffiness or swelling around the eyes. Lukewarm water also speeds up digestion by helping to improve nutrient absorption. And if the gut is clean, the skin remains clean too,” she said.

“Warm water hydrates the skin, avoids dryness and flakiness, and naturally moisturises the skin, which aids the skin to glow naturally,” added Dr Rinky Kapoor, consultant dermatologist, The Esthetic Clinics.

Nargis Fakhri’s skincare routine has a 3-step approach (Source: Instagram/@nargisfakhri)

It is essential to drink about 2.5 to 3 litres of water per day, unless you have certain kidney or heart conditions in which you are not supposed to drink too much water. “The upper layers of the skin do not get their water from the deeper skin cells. Instead, they draw their water from the environment. Hence, it is also important to moisturise the skin along with drinking water,” said Dr Sharad.

Diet

“We advocate for a holistic approach to skincare, emphasising that what you eat significantly impacts the health and appearance of your skin. A well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet can complement your skincare routine and contribute to a glowing complexion,” said Dr Kapoor, adding that a diet rich in antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, can protect the skin from oxidative stress and promote a youthful appearance. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseed, have anti-inflammatory properties that benefit skin health.

She also advised reducing the intake of processed foods and sugars, as these can contribute to inflammation and skin issues. Instead, incorporating foods rich in collagen or taking collagen supplements can further promote skin elasticity and firmness.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.