Your skin is often the first thing that people notice about you. In order to have the healthiest, glowing and most radiant skin possible, begin by taking the proper care of this vast organ that covers our entire bodies. Here are 7 skin care tips from Anaheim healthcare professionals to help you to achieve good skin care health.
1. Protect your skin from the elements
Ultraviolet rays, wind, heat and cold can all take a toll on the condition of your skin. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause premature aging, lines and wrinkling, sunburns, dry skin and the formation of dark spots. It can also increase your chance of developing skin cancers. Don’t totally avoid the sun because some exposure is healthy. People absorb vitamin D through the skin. This nutrient is essential for the proper function of all of the systems in your body.
You don’t need to stay indoors to pamper delicate skin. There are some preventative measures that you can take to shield your skin from these dangers. When going out into the sunlight, use a high quality sunscreen over all exposed areas. This can help to prevent sunburn and other types of damage. The SPF level should be no less than 15 for adequate protection. Keep in mind that swimming and perspiration will cause it to wash away so reapplication may be necessary. When the sun is at its brightest and hottest, you should move to a shaded area, or at minimum, wear protective clothing including a hat that blocks the sun and covers your head.
2. Keep your body well hydrated
Drinking clean, clear water is the best way to do this. It becomes even more important when you are active, exposed to warm or hot environments or involved in physical activities that make you perspire. Your water supply needs to be replenished so the cells of your body and your skin are kept moist. This can help you to avoid developing dry skin and other health problems.
3. Limit your time in hot tubs, baths and showers
Hot tubs contain chemicals that can cause drying of the skin. In addition, the heat can lessen the natural oils in your body. This leads to the development of dry skin and other dermatological conditions that can arise as a result.
Baths and showers should be taken at a temperature that is warm, but not hot. If you have a tendency towards dry skin, use a moisturizing shower gel or bath soap and make sure to rinse it all off. Leaving soap on the skin can cause itching, irritation and in some cases a rash.
4. Avoid super fatted soaps, lotions and skin creams
Not all moisturizers are good for your skin. While some of the heavier lotions and creams may feel good on dry skin initially, they can lead to problems. Oil based, heavy creams and lotions can cause clogging of the pores and lead to blemishes such as pimples, blackheads and other skin infections. When choosing a moisturizer, find one that is water based and that does not contain heavy fats and oils.
5. Eat a healthy diet
The foods you eat contribute to your overall health. Your health is often reflected in the tone and appearance of your skin. Eating excessive amounts of fat and other unhealthy nutrients in your diet can cause breakouts of acne and other skin blemishes. Limit your intake of carbohydrates such as simple sugars, and opt for healthy whole grains for your RDA of carbs. Get plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins daily. This will also help to increase your energy levels and you’ll get a double bonus. Foods that are rich in Vitamins B, D, C and E will help to improve the health of your skin.
6. Avoid contaminating your body
When you take substances into your body it can interfere with the normal production of healthy skin cells. Smoking cigarettes causes the blood vessels to constrict and deprives the skin cells of much needed oxygen. The cells cannot regenerate as they are supposed to and the result is premature aging of the skin including development of lines and wrinkles. Smoking also causes a decrease in the elasticity of your skin. This increases its vulnerability to damage from exposure to sun, wind and temperature extremes.
7. Control your stress levels
Excessive amounts of stress and anxiety can cause problems with your skin. It can lead to blemish breakouts, hives, itching and other health conditions. When you are under great amounts of anxiety and stress, your body chemistry becomes altered. It is the chemical reaction in your body that can lead to imbalances that have the potential for affecting all of the systems in your body. Take the time that you need for yourself to relax and get away from your everyday responsibilities, even if it is just for short periods of time.
Awareness of the things that impact the health of your skin is the first step in making improvements. As you make changes in your everyday habits, you’ll begin to see noticeable differences in the overall condition of your skin. You’ll not only get the benefits of having more radiant, younger and healthier looking skin, you’ll be improving the health of your entire body.
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Article written by Kaithlyn Mann