Some people are just born with naturally fair skin but there are those who splurge on expensive whitening soaps, lotion, body scrubs and whitening pills to achieve the fairer skin that they desire.

Whether you're playing sports, swimming, gardening or just chilling out, your skin needs proper protection to help prevent sun damage, here are the guides on how to take care of your skin to keep it fair, smooth, and healthy-looking.

• Cleanse. Choose a good cleanser that suits you. Cleansers with natural products are better because they are more friendly with any skin type. Ordinary washing of the face doesn't remove the dirt and dust. Cleansing creams go deeper in the pores. Apply it on your face twice a day, once in the morning and before going to bed. Cleansing too often leads to skin damage.
• Exfoliate. Exfoliate your skin regularly, because exfoliants remove the top layer of dead skin cells, your skin will look fresher and smoother. Exfoliants allow the skin to breathe and prevent ingrown hair from expanding. However, one should perform it once or twice a week. Less is more in exfoliating. Be careful in exfoliating the face; use only the exfoliants that is designed for the face.

• Moisturize. After exfoliating, moisturize your skin. Moisturizers prevent dryness, making your skin softer and more pliable. Moisturizing also speeds up the cell renewal process. Choose moisturizers that contain vitamins and minerals for the skin. Some moisturizers contain SPF for sun protection. Tinted moisturizers are always popular choice.
• Tone. Toners are used not only to close the pores but also to clean the remaining oil and dirt that has not been removed by cleansing. Choose the right toner that won't irritate your skin, but don't overdo it. Harsh substances may disturb the acid and oil balance of the skin, thus removing the natural oils that help protect the skin from bacteria and dirt.

• Use Sun Block. Get some sun protection to avoid burns. Use sunscreen lotions or creams with a minimum of SPF 15. This will protect you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun which can cause skin problems. Put enough to cover your entire body. Apply 20 to 30 minutes before you go out. Reapply every once in a while because sunscreen lotions only last for about two hours. Better yet, try avoiding the sun as much as you can.
• Exercise. Exercise can improve blood circulation therefore giving you a healthy complexion. Exercise helps you look healthier and more glowing because oxygenated blood is sent into the body tissues. It also tightens your skin, making it look firmer and reducing wrinkles and sags. By exercising, you allow your skin to breathe. The sweat serves as cleansing methods because it gets rid of toxins. But you have to exercise on a regular basis to achieve a noticeable result.
• Healthy diet. A healthy diet contains the right amount of minerals, vitamins, and proteins needed by the body. This gives your skin a healthy glow. Eat fruits and vegetables to provide fiber for the body. Take in essential oils such as olive and corn oils. Also drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily to avoid dehydration and to maintain a healthy skin.
• Plenty of sleep. You should have a proper and undisturbed sleep of about eight hours every day. Sleep ensures faster growth and renewal of cells. This will also help reduce stress and tension from your body, thus leading to a healthier and rejuvenated you!