Why is Skin Health So Important?

Why is skin health so important anyway? Yes, having healthy, glowing skin is a great confidence boost, and we are all about you feeling great about yourself, but having skin that functions optimally is so important for so many other reasons. Skin is the largest organ in your body and is in charge of multiple essential roles from moisture loss prevention to temperature regulation. Just like other parts of your body, how you take care of your skin is a reflection of how it functions, feels and looks.

Your skin does a big job for you. In fact, each inch of skin is made up of 19 million skin cells, 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, and 1,000 nerve endings, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). (1)

Benefits of Healthy Skin

Your skin plays a significant role in the maintenance of your overall health and appearance. Skin acts as the body’s first line of defense, providing a protective barrier from bacteria, pathogens, sun exposure and environmental threats. It works to weed out the bad elements and absorb what it needs to function properly. It works hard to protect you against UV radiation and the cell damage it can cause. Its sensory receptors also tell your brain about your surroundings, giving you information about pain, pressure and pleasure which all help you avoid injury and danger. Skin is always working hard to heal itself, even when there has been considerable damage. Epidermal skin cells are constantly repairing and replacing themselves, restoring itself every 28-35 days.

“The epidermis is the thin outer layer of your skin, which contains dead skin cells. It’s this epidermis that turns over every 28 days,” – Dr. Anolik (1)

Protect Skin All. Year. Round.

Excessive sun exposure is a major contributor to DNA damage and premature aging, from wrinkles, leathery skin, dark spots, and potential for skin cancer. The best way to protect your skin from is to wear sun protection, eyewear and hat. You should wear sun protection year-round because sun damage can even occur in the winter, as snow and ice are highly reflective of UV radiation.

 Skin is a clear marker of your overall health.

Proper Skincare

Yes, skincare. Taking care of your skin topically doesn’t mean it has to be a 10-step regimen. Focusing on the basics can make all the difference in your skin health. This means trying to cleanse your face daily, especially before bed and after sweating to help get rid of debris, excess oil and impurities that have accumulated on skin’s surface.  Secondly, moisturization. It is important you are moisturizing dry skin as it needs constant hydration and protection. Exfoliation is also a must for skin regeneration. The older skin becomes, the longer dead skin cells can linger on skin’s surface, which can lead to acne, bacteria build up and dullness.

Look for skincare that doesn’t contain chemical fillers, sulphates and parabens. And let’s face it, there really is no need to be using skincare that isn’t cruelty-free. Your skin just has a bigger glow when you know that no animals were hurt in the process, don’t you agree?

Some skin-loving tips when selecting skincare:

• Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals.
• Avoid harsh exfoliants, plastic microbeads and acidic soaps.
• Know your skin type.
• Choose products formulated for your skin type.
• Age of skin should determine what types of products you look for. Skincare for acne-prone, teenage skin contain different ingredients than skincare for mature, sun damaged skin.
• Establish a morning and evening routine that works for your skin and your lifestyle and stick with it!
• Patch tests are a must when using new products.

Did You Know?

You can switch skin types. 

Even if you’ve had the same exact skin type your whole life things like hormonal imbalance, climate change, and age can make your skin go from one type to another. (2)

Nutrition

To keep skin looking its best, it’s important to start from within. This means eating a healthy diet that are rich in fruits and vegetables, with plenty of grains and lean proteins. Look for foods that are high in healthy fats, antioxidants, selenium, zinc and in vitamins A, C, and E. This also means drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. When your body is dehydrated, it can present itself in skin making it look dry, dull, and tired.

Skin Health

Looking after your skin doesn’t have to be difficult. Healthy skin can be maintained by having a quality skincare routine and healthy diet that corresponds with your lifestyle. Looking after it year-round helps regenerate skin cell production, protect from possible disease and infection, and helping it function properly will keep skin looking for youthful and in good condition.

Resources

(1) 8 Fascinating Facts You Probably Never Knew About Your Skin. Everyday Health.

(2)10 facts you didn’t know about your skin. Garnier.