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What is Skin and What Does it Do?

 

The skin is the largest single organ of the body. It acts as a shield that protects the body against foreign invaders. The skin reflects our overall health. So, it follows that it needs plenty of care and grooming. We all desire that youthful, glowing and acne-free skin,

Below are ten helpful do’s and don’ts to help you achieve that flawless and healthy-looking skin.

 

Drink Plenty of Fluids

 

Water is an important component of our body and is essential for a healthy skin. Water flushes out all the toxins from the body and brightens your skin complexion.

Water is needed to deliver important nutrients to the cells deep beneath the skin thereby maintaining the optimum skin moisture. It also replenishes the skin tissue and increases its elasticity. This helps to reduce skin wrinkles, fine lines, and the appearance of aging. Also, drinking enough fluid helps to keep the skin hydrated, giving the skin that soft, glistering and youthful look.

 

Eat Healthy Foods and Fruits

A healthy diet can make you look and feel healthy. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein promote a healthy skin. Some research suggests that diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplement might promote younger looking skin. Natural fruits are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that may provide protection against the effects of damaging free radicals on the cells of the body, including the skin.

 

Do not Smoke

 

Smoking accelerates the skin aging process mainly through the nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine causes narrowing of blood vessels found beneath the skin, thereby restricting the flow of oxygen and important nutrients to the skin. Carbon monoxide which is found in cigarette smoke, displaces oxygen in your skin, leaving the skin dry and discolored. Cigarettes also contain chemicals that damage collagen and elastin, fibers that helps to maintain the integrity and elasticity of the skin.

Smoking, in addition to raising your chances of developing heart attack, strokes, and lung cancer, cigarette smoking also increases your risk of developing skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common skin cancer.

 

Do Regular Exercise

 

It is no doubt that people who exercise regularly look younger than their real age when compared to people that do not. Regular exercise promotes healthy skin in so many ways. During exercise, the heart rate increases. This boosts blood circulation and delivery of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, helping to detoxify harmful toxins in the skin and to increase collagen fiber regeneration

After an intense physical activity, the body releases endorphins which counteracts the negative effects of the stress hormones, making you feel more at ease and relaxed. These stress hormones are responsible for acne breakouts and black rings under the eyes. Regular workout stimulates the skin cells to produce natural oils, making your skin look smooth and soft.

Moderate weight lifting helps tone the muscle and eliminate flabby skin caused by skin fat.

 

Touching the Skin

Touching the face with dirty hands is a no. The hands have the highest concentrations of germs and tiny microbes, due to the fact they are used to handle almost anything we come across, from touching door handles to shaking hands. Constant touching of the skin, especially on the face, can transfer all the germs on your hand to your face, making your skin look rough with breakouts.

 

Moisturizers

 

A good moisturizer is a must have for a healthy skin. It is one of the basics of an effective skin care regimen for dry, itchy, older or sensitive skins.

Most moisturizers contain water and active ingredients like stearic acid, propylene glycol, glycerine, petrolatum, and lanolin. Some contain natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera, safflower oil and linoleic acid, which helps maintain the integrity of the skin’s outer layer of keratin, keep the skin soft and firm.

Petroleum is another least expensive and effective moisturizers, especially for people with dry skin. If used right, it helps to seal in moisture thereby reducing skin dryness.

Some moisturizers also contain sunscreens and cosmeceuticals, which help protect the skin from ultraviolet rays or even correct fine wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, and other signs of aging and photoaging.

 

Use Sunscreen Protection

 

Frequent skin exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

You can combine an SPF with your daily moisturizer or purchase a moisturizer with SPF already in it. Just make sure the label reads ‘noncomedogenic’ or ‘nonacnegenic’ so that the product does not tend to block skin pores.

 

Do not Sleep with your Makeup on

 

Sleeping with your makeup on is a bad idea. When makeup and dirt combine with your natural oils overnight, they become trapped in your sensitive skin pores, providing a good breeding ground for germs that cause acne, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.

 

Keep it Simple

 

Try as much as possible not to go overboard with your skincare routine. If you find one skin care products or routine that works best for your skin type and complexion, stick to it as long as possible. Avoid sampling too many skin care products at a time, as this may have adverse effects on your skin. Simple is everything

 

Do visit a Dermatologist Regularly

 

Dermatologists are professionals trained and certified to provide clients with tips and support on how to care for the skin and achieve that ever glowing skin we constantly desire. They are also trained to treat and manage all sorts of skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis and even skin cancers.

If you notice any moles, skin changes or odd skin discoloration, consult a well-trained and certified dermatologist for proper evaluation and appropriate treatment if required.

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References

Does Drinking Water Really Give You Glowing Skin?. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19900889/drinking-water-for-better-skin/

Gurwitz, D. (2001). Physical activity: good for your health, very good for your gene expression. Clinical Genetics57(4), 249-251. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2000.570402.2.x

Nisbet, S. (2018). Skin acceptability of a cosmetic moisturizer formulation in female subjects with sensitive skin. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational DermatologyVolume 11, 213-217. doi: 10.2147/ccid.s157297

Rocque, A., Rocque, A., Garwood, B., Williams, O., Williams, O., & Williams, O. et al. (2018). Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for Healthy Skin – JetMag.com. Retrieved from https://www.jetmag.com/beauty/top-10-dos-donts-healthy-skin/