The largest organ in your body is actually on your body — your skin. Protector of your health and Guardian from the elements, your skin does much more on a regular basis than you even realize! So, how do you keep your skin — and, by extension, yourself — healthy? What mistakes should you avoid?
Time Under The Sun
As if it hasn’t been said enough times, protecting your skin from the sun is crucial to your health. Why? Ask yourself, ‘Which part of my body is the most regularly uncovered? Which part of my body sees the most exposure to UVA/B rays?’
These questions highlight that your skin — albeit on your neck, head, arms, hands, or legs — is most susceptible to sun damage. Namely, sunburn, wrinkling, dark spots, freckles, melanoma, and carcinoma. While these skin conditions may be exaggerated by the media, they’re still inescapably real. Thus, it’s important to objectively analyze the risk associated with your time under the sun.
If conventional or popular sunscreens aren’t appealing to you, you can find alternatives at organic shops, online, or by consulting your doctor. Would you rather prevent a skin condition or react to one? The American Academy of Dermatology has an entire webpage devoted to sunscreen and related resources.
Nutritional Facts
When buying any edible product, you’ll notice a white label with serving sizes and nutritional facts. These are guides that explain the wholesomeness of the food you’re going to eat. But, have you stopped to ask yourself what your nutritional facts are?
When you go for your yearly physical, you’ll learn about your body’s condition. Included therein are your mass, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, sugar levels, and much more. What do these have to do with your skin? In short, if a banana has rotted, how will it appear? If a tree has an infection, how will it look? So, if you have an underlying health issue, how might your skin respond?
‘You should feel good in your skin’ says The University of Utah’s Health Department. How can you keep on top of any health issues that might affect your skin? See a doctor, consult a dermatologist, and follow any recommendations they have. Adjusting your eating habits, exercise, and drinking more water as precautionary measures can go a long way in safeguarding your health. But, nothing can replace the knowledge of a human expert.
Beauty Products — Skincare, Makeup
Concealer, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, highlighter, brushes, lipsticks, and glosses — the world of beauty is vast and plentiful! And, that doesn’t even include the skincare lines that are available at various retail shops!
What’s the simple rule to follow when it comes to beauty products? For starters, if the product is expired, throw it out. Or, perhaps you’ve noticed a change in color, texture or an abnormal odor, what do you do? The online European magazine Vogue says to “toss it out!” These products aren’t designed to change. So, if they do, it means that bacteria are growing or they’re expired. Either way, that won’t be good for your skin.
Further, if a product has alcohols, over a dozen chemicals, or claims to physically reverse aging, it’s most likely going to do more harm than good. In all honesty, products can only undo signs of aging or the effects of aging. They can’t undo the process of aging itself. So, be wary of any products that claim to undo the aging process, even if it is from a trusted brand.
The Holy Skin Commandments To Follow
Taking care of your skin is pretty simple actually. At least, once you’ve figured out what you need to do. First, establish your skin type. Second, research how to care for your skin type. That also includes a consultation with a doctor or seeing a dermatologist. Third, don’t break the holy commandments of skincare. Or else, Cosmo, Vogue or the beauty gurus of the internet may punish you.
The information provided herein has been reviewed for accuracy, but cannot be guaranteed to be free of infallalacy. The information herein does not qualify as a diagnosis nor does it substitute a consultation with a licensed physician.
© 2017, 2020 ALLIED MEDICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PUBLISHED: 20170228
UPDATED: 20200214
