When we hear about someone adopting a healthier lifestyle, usually that involves implementing a diet, exercising more, or perhaps cutting down on television or social media intake. When was the last time you heard of someone focusing on skin care as a way to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Usually, we see skin care methods advertised as a way to improve the appearance of the skin and slow down the effects of aging.
While those aspects of skin care are great, what most people don’t realize is what an important impact skin care can have on overall health.
The importance of skin health
The skin is the body’s largest and fastest-growing organ. It serves many important functions for the body. The skin protects the body against infection and bacteria; regulates body temperature; and gives you the ability to feel touch, heat, cold, and pain.
Failing to care for your skin can allow premature aging, rashes, breaks in the skin, acne, and other skin problems that may reduce its ability to perform important functions to support your health.
Five ways to support your skin health today
While supporting your skin health is a daily, lifelong process, it’s never too late to start, and you can begin today. Here are five ways you can support your body’s natural shield against harm and infection: your skin.
1. Protect yourself from the sun. Wear a hat; wear sunglasses; look for shade; apply sunblock. A lot of people only think about putting on sunblock if they’re going to the beach, but the sun’s harmful rays can, of course, reach your skin anytime you’re outside or near a window. If you’re attending a sporting event, going for a walk, or even just driving somewhere, your skin might be exposed to the sun. Use SPF 30 or higher each day, especially on your face, for best results. Be sure to apply sunblock for your children, too, though the American Academy of Dermatology Association does not recommend using sunblock for children who are younger than six months of age.
2. Don’t smoke. Smoking not only causes premature aging but also damages your skin’s health. Smoking causes the skin’s blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to the area. Smoking can also cause skin cancer. Quit today!
3. Hydrate your skin. Your skin is made of cells, which need a lot of water to function properly. You can hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer. When you drink water, other organs absorb it first. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin can become dry and tight, making it more prone to wrinkles and other problems.
4. Eat a healthy diet. Eating well can support your skin’s appearance and functions, too. Here are some foodsyou can add to your diet that will support your skin health: salmon, avocados, walnuts, sunflowers seeds, sweet potatoes, broccoli, soy, and dark chocolate.
5. Use makeup products that aren’t harmful to your skin. Some makeup products can cause dryness, rashes, eye infections, and premature aging. Most of them even contain harmful chemicals and other ingredients that can be absorbed into the skin. You wouldn’t drink harmful chemicals, so why put them on your skin every day? For example, a lot of skincare products include lead, arsenic, talc and formaldehyde in their ingredients. Gross, right? That’s why we recommend Young Living’s Savvy Minerals, a makeup line that leaves out those harmful ingredients. Kindred Touch’s next blog post will teach you more about what Savvy Minerals can add to your skincare routine!
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