Quick question: what is the largest organ in your body?
Give yourself a pat on the back if you answered the skin.
The skin is your body’s largest organ and acts as a porous barrier against the external environment. It also repairs itself when it gets ruptured, makes vitamin D from sunlight, and contains numerous nerve endings for sensory detection. Healthy and supple skin also glows in a way that neglected skin does not and is the envy of many.
So why do so many people neglect taking good care of their skin?
Note: here is an article that we wrote about proper facial skin care.
Why You Should Care About Your Skin
1. Your Skin Sheds Daily
Do you know your skin cells shed pretty much the entire day? This means your skin is constantly changing and will be replaced by a new layer in approximately two to four weeks. It also means skin that’s glowing one day can turn dull the next unless you make the effort to take proper care of it.
2. Different Skin Types
If you know someone who does not have a skincare routine but their skin still looks great, you need to remember that all skin types are different. What works for them may thus not work for you.
It, therefore, pays to experiment with different products and procedures that suit your skin type. For example, your skin may be more sensitive to certain ingredients, so it makes sense to keep an eye out for them.
3. Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Achieving healthy skin is a lifelong process that necessitates having a proper skin routine in place, so start now if you haven’t. Preventing potential skin issues from developing is not only simpler than attempting to fix them later on but also potentially less costly. This is especially true if you are currently suffering from acne scars, profound wrinkles, discoloration, or other skin problems.
4. When You Look Good, You Feel Good
Having healthy, glowing skin can boost your self-esteem. Contrast this with people dealing with skin problems, many of whom find it difficult to feel confident about themselves.
Here’s What You Should Do
1. Drink Enough Water
The cause of dull, itchy, and wrinkly skin is dehydration. It also brings out the dark areas around your nose and eyes.
Drinking sufficient water thus helps not only in keeping your skin hydrated but ensure that your organs are functioning optimally as well.
Note: you can also get hydrated from eating water-rich fruits like melons and some vegetables.
2. Get in Quality Sleep
It is common knowledge that your mind and body recuperate while you sleep. The same is true for your skin.
When you rest, your body produces collagen, which can assist with maintaining healthy skin. Quality sleep lowers the stress hormone, which is responsible for skin discoloration, stretch marks, and thinning skin.
You can find out more here.
3. Exercise
Sweating is great for the body, and it comes with skin benefits too.
When you exercise, you are circulating your blood which delivers oxygen and other nutrients to your cells. This, in turn, helps accelerate your skin’s healing process.
Tip: do not skip your skincare regimen after exercising.
4. Breathe in Clean Air
Air pollution, tobacco smoke, and artificial fragrances can affect your skin’s well-being in the form of skin irritations. If you cannot keep away from these, make sure to apply non-toxic products on your skin for aid.
5. Use Sunscreen
Sunscreens provide fundamental protection from the sun’s harmful beams and should be worn when you are under the sun. Too much sun exposure can cause premature skin aging due to harmful UV rays and dehydration. It is advisable to re-apply your sunscreen every two hours to reduce the chance of getting skin cancer.
6. Adequate Shower
There has been some debate regarding how often one should shower because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Various factors can and do influence the optimal shower frequency and even when to take it.
What is undeniable is that showering properly will help remove the dirt and grease from your skin accumulated throughout the day. There is also the feel-good aspect of taking a shower that can help with easing tension and in falling asleep easier.
Do remember to apply moisturizer after showering to keep your skin hydrated.
7. Follow a Healthy Diet
A diet rich in Vitamin C and low in sugar can help promote healthy skin.
Sugar, as you may or may not know, can age your skin, although this doesn’t mean that fruits should be completely absent from your diet as long as you moderate your intake. Try to also reduce consumption of spicy, salty, and oily food if you find yourself having to deal with skin issues.
