There are thousands of skin care products on store shelves promising to make your skin look younger, brighter and clearer. But healthy skin isn’t about just your appearance. Caring for your skin by keeping it in top shape is crucial for your overall health and well-being.
The industry of clear skin care products
Although you might not think of it this way, your skin is the largest organ in the body. Your outermost skin layer — the epidermis — is your body’s first line of defence against intruders, such as germs, and free radical scavengers such as UVA/UVB and pollutions. It shields the second layer of your skin, the dermis, which contains important structures like sweat glands and hair follicles.
The epidermis is thin, tough and waterproof. This protective shield works to help your body repel damaging bacteria and viruses. The epidermis also protects you from the harmful rays of the sun. It contains another important type of cell called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. When you get a tan, it’s this pigment that turns your skin darker or causes freckles. Melanin’s main function, however, is to block out the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which can lead to cancer or other skin problems.
Finally, although appearance might not be the most crucial function of your epidermis, this layer of cells does act as your “face” to the world. When the epidermis becomes dry or damaged from unhealthy lifestyle choices it will lead to looking weathered and pre-maturely aged. When you care for your epidermis, you help maintain all these functions and keep your body strong and protected.
DO
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Exercise daily
- Wear sunscreen
- Drink plenty of water
- Use the right cosmeceutical skin care
- Have regular face treatments specific to your concerns
- Consume alcohol responsibly and in moderation
DON’T
- Drink excessive amounts of alcohol
- Sunbake
- Use sun tanning beds
- Smoke
- Take narcotics
- Eat junk food, deep fried food or take out
