The skin is the largest organ of our body. Its purpose is to protect our body from possible dangers. Of all the organs of the body, the skin works the hardest and of all the organs, and we all see if we take good care or abuse it.
Not only do we need to take good skin care procedures because it makes us feel good, but we also need to make sure that our skin is safe as it is our first line of defense.
So, how do you take care of your skin? Or a better question, how do you improve your skin health for a more radiant look? Here are five ways to have healthier skin.
Eat foods that are healthy for the skin
Consuming the proper food does not only make you fit; it is also good for your skin. Make sure to eat these foods to make yourself glow.
- Mangoes– Aside from being a very refreshing fruit to eat, they can also be helpful for the skin. Mangoes can prevent acne breakouts when you apply its pulp on your skin. Mangoes contain Citric Acid (Vitamin C) that reduces the damage that is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, Retinol (Vitamin A) that stimulates collagen production which reduces fine lines and Vitamin B6 that reduces the sebum on the skin.
- Tomato– Tomatoes are not only good salads and sauce for pizzas; they are also good for the skin. They can reduce the risk of skin cancer and sunburn. On a research study conducted on mice, male mice which were fed with diets containing tomato developed fewer UVB-induced skin tumors compared to male mice that did not consume tomatoes.
- Olive oil– You would think that this might be crazy because it is oil, but it is not. Olive oil can sometimes be useful in treating foot ulcers caused by type 2 diabetes. Olive oil can be used as an exfoliator when mixed with sea salt. Besides as an exfoliating agent, olive oil can also remove eye make-up, especially those made with water-resistant substances. Olive oil can also prevent wrinkles and discoloration. Although, precautions should be given and not much of it gets used because olive oil clogs your pores if applied too much.
- Green tea- Green tea contains polyphenols which are effective in treating acne and unclogging the pores. Polyphenols treat acne by damaging bacterial membranes against infection. Catechins, a kind of polyphenol, reduces inflation, redness, and swelling of the skin. Aside from polyphenols, green tea also has Vitamin E which promotes growth in the skin cells and acts as a hydrator that makes your skin moisturized.
- Omega-3- Omega-3 is not only good for the heart but also the skin. Omega-3 reduces your chance of getting wrinkles every time you eat foods rich with fatty acids like spinach and kidney beans. And because Omega-3 is a fatty acid, it is a very important part in the lipid content of your skin which is like a seal that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When skin is compromised, though, moisture escapes, causing skin to become dry, rough and more prone to irritation. Increasing your omega-3 intake helps strengthen that seal.
Do not get so much sun exposure
Getting tanned can make your skin look beautiful, but constant sun exposure may lead to various skin problems. One might suffer from sunburn for going out on the sun for so long. Sunburns may last for weeks if not prevented. Age spots and wrinkles may also be acquired for staying outside for too long. However, the worse case that might be ahead if someone does not care of themselves is skin cancer. Sunlight is good on certain amounts because of the Vitamin D is also good for the skin. Vitamin D contributes to skin cell growth and repair. Make sure you do these to protect yourself from the sun:
- Use sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.
- Seek shade: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
- Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays
Do not let stress get the most of you
Based on an undergraduate study, people with intenhtse stress levels tend to experience hair loss, itchy skin, flaky scalp, scaly skin, and hand rashes than those who don’t. Stressed teenagers have more chances of having acne. Scientists suspect that sebum levels increase when stress is rampant. So if you want to have better skin, it is better to meditate and do activities that lessen stress levels.
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Smoking and alcohol do not only affect your lungs and liver; they also cause massive effects on your skin. Smoking, for instance, makes you look older by narrowing blood vessels in the outermost layer of the skin. It also damages collagen fibers while alcohol promotes the risk of cell basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Also, these activities dehydrate the skin which makes your skin dry.
Treat your skin with gentle care
The skin is a very sensitive organ. You can test the sensitivity of the skin by just scratching a fork on a banana leaf. Use warm water to remove the oils on your skin but limit them. Using hypoallergenic and soft soaps is also helpful as it prevents skin irritation. When shaving, make sure that a lubricant such as shaving cream is put on the skin. And of course, moisturize your skin and after every bath, do not dry yourself on a ragged manner, pat drying will do.
The skin has been there to protect us, so we better be there to protect our skin. In case something horrible happens, never hesitate to consult to a dermatologist. After all, even the toughest skin has its weakness, literally.
Author Bio:
Sally Hart is a beauty enthusiast writing for Primera Body Designs, a medical aesthetic office which aims to provide safe and effective services administered by licensed medical professionals and caring staff. Her passion for skincare inspires her to useful articles that feature products that would make you feel more confident!
Share this post if you like it!