Your skin is a complex system of cells that play an important role in the body’s function. It protects you from bacteria and other foreign materials, contains sensory nerve endings, and regulates your fluids and temperature.
It also helps your immune system fight disease. That’s why it’s crucial to take care of your skin from the inside out.
1. Cleansing
Skin health is a vital part of the wellbeing of our body and we need to take care of it every day, especially in order to avoid illness and infection. Using a good cleanser, in conjunction with other important steps in your skincare routine, will help to keep your skin in great condition.
Our skin needs to be properly cleaned twice a day (morning and night) in order to remove any impurities that may have built up during the day. This can include makeup, dirt, and even pollutants such as smog, soot and car exhaust that we often come into contact with in our everyday life.
In addition to removing these elements from your skin, a good cleanser will also help to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin. This is important because it can help to protect against dryness and sensitivity.
Most cleansers work primarily with surfactants, which are a group of ingredients that help to dissolve oil and other substances on the surface of our skin. They are often combined with emulsifiers, which are molecules that help to suspend these substances and then make them easy to rinse away with water.
When choosing a cleanser, it is important to choose one that is appropriate for your skin type. This is because some types of cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils or cause a buildup of oil that may lead to breakouts and other problems such as dryness and irritation.
To avoid this, look for a cleanser that contains gentle ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile to help soothe your skin and prevent it from becoming too dry. It is also a good idea to choose a cleanser that is fragrance free, as this can help to prevent irritation.
2. Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is a critical part of your skincare routine, whether you live in an area that’s very cold or very hot. Without it, your skin can become very dry and irritated.
Using moisturizers every day, whether it’s a lotion, cream or a spray, is essential for healthy, beautiful skin. It’s also a great way to reduce your risk of developing skin problems such as blemishes and acne.
Moisturizers are complex cosmetic formulations that are designed to keep your skin hydrated and smooth. They can be found in the form of a cream, a lotion, an ointment or a gel and can contain ingredients that target specific skin concerns such as reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
A good moisturizer will help lock in the water that your skin naturally loses as it ages and can prevent dehydration, dryness, premature signs of aging and environmental damage. They may also contain a retinol or other anti-aging ingredient to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keep your skin looking younger for longer.
The most important time to apply a moisturizer is after you’ve taken a shower, shaved or exfoliated your skin. This is because hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it dry and flaky.
It’s also important to use a moisturizer that’s formulated for your skin type, as different types of skin require different levels of hydration. For example, mature skin tends to be dryer and requires a heavier formula than young skin.
Moisturizers can be purchased at any drugstore or cosmetic store. They are typically applied twice a day, after showering or exfoliating. However, you should also consider using it more frequently if your skin is extremely dry or oily.
3. Exfoliate
Your skin renews itself every 28 days, shedding dead cells and revealing fresher ones in their place. But when the dead skin cells pile up, your complexion looks dull and rough, which is why it’s important to exfoliate regularly.
The best way to do this is by sloughing away the dead skin cell buildup using either a physical exfoliator or a chemical exfoliant. This removes the top layer of dead skin, allowing your serums and moisturizers to get deeper into your skin.
It also helps decongest your pores, which can help prevent breakouts and reduce the size of them. In addition, it can speed up the skin’s natural exfoliation process, making it easier for new skin to replace the old.
Another benefit of exfoliating your skin is that it can improve the texture and tone of your skin. This is because dead skin cells clog pores, leaving your complexion looking rough and uneven.
You can also use a chemical exfoliator, which typically includes a combination of glycolic or lactic acid, to help unclog your pores. This is especially effective for preventing breakouts and reducing the look of acne scars.
But remember that overexfoliating can be harmful to your skin. You might find that your complexion turns red or itchy if you use too much.
To avoid this, Shen Beauty esthetician Carrie Lindsey told Glamour that you should only exfoliate a small portion of your skin at a time and stick with one method at a time to see how it works for your specific needs. If you have sensitive or dry skin, choose products that are gentler and formulated with smaller granules, like ruby crystals or jojoba beads.
4. Sunscreen
If you want to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy, one of the best things you can do is use sunscreen on it every day. The American Academy of Dermatology says that a daily application of sunscreen can significantly cut your risk of sunburn and skin cancer, as well as prevent premature aging of the skin.
Sunscreen is a specialized cream that contains the ingredients to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It is made up of two different types of chemicals that absorb or block the rays before they can reach your skin.
Chemical: Ingredients like oxybenzone, octisalate, and avobenzone absorb the rays and block them from reaching your skin. Physical: Minerals such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect the rays before they can hit your skin.
While it may seem like a hassle to apply sunscreen each and every day, it’s very important for your skin health. Aside from reducing your risk of skin cancer, the right type of sunscreen can also help you maintain a healthy glow and avoid age spots.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15 each and every time you go out. It’s also important to apply your sunscreen liberally and reapply it often.
It can also reduce dryness and flaking on your skin. The heat from the sun can zap your skin of its natural moisture, making it appear dry and wrinkly.
The sun’s rays are very damaging to your skin. Over time, this can lead to a thick, leathery appearance, discoloration, and breakdown of essential proteins that contribute to the skin’s health and function. This is known as photoaging. Studies show that people who use sunscreen on a regular basis, particularly those below the age of 55, have 24 percent less chance of developing these signs of aging than those who don’t.
5. Protect Yourself
Skin is the body’s first line of defense, and it can tell you a lot about your health. That’s why it’s essential to take good care of your skin, from the inside out.
Your skin can give you important clues to how healthy your body is and what health issues you might need to worry about, like acne or sun damage. Protecting your skin can be as simple as a few healthy habits.
To start, you should always wear sunscreen when spending time outdoors. The best protection is using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapplying it every two hours. Also, make sure to wear sun-safe clothing and a hat.
Aside from the risk of cancer, too much sun exposure can cause premature aging and increase your chances of getting wrinkles. Avoid tanning beds and UV-ray-emitting sunglasses to reduce your risk of skin damage, Kong says.
Smoking and cigarette smoke can also harm your skin, as can exposure to air pollution and artificial fragrances. To counteract these environmental hazards, try to use natural, organic face wash and other products with antioxidants, says dermatologist Arjun Dayal of Rush Copley Medical Group in Chicago.
You should also drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. It can help you look and feel more refreshed, he adds.
While you’re at it, eat a nutritious diet and get enough sleep to avoid stress and help your skin repair itself. You can also choose cosmetics that contain antioxidants, such as vitamin C, E and Selenium.
While it might not seem like your skin is the most important part of your body, the truth is that it’s your first line of defense against harmful external factors and a huge part of how you look. So don’t underestimate its importance, especially as the weather warms up.