4 Tips to Keep Your Skin its Healthiest RSSPosted November 2021 Written by Jamie Barrows Your skin is the first point of contact for most environmental irritants. It is our armor, our shield against harmful bacteria, viruses, pollution, and even injury. It would take all day to list all the additional helpful jobs skin does! Whether you realize it or not, your skin is working overtime, all of the time. November has been named National Healthy Skin Month by the American Academy of Dermatology. The meaning behind the observance is clear: become educated about the importance of your skin and how to protect it. This particular time of year, which quickly turns chilly, can make your skin dry and cracked. It is a necessary time to learn how to care for your hardworking outer layer properly. Here are a few lifestyle choices that could make a significant impact on healthy skin. Wash Up The number one action you should be taking is washing your skin regularly. There has been an increasing number of studies proving that a healthy balance of microbes on your skin is one of the best ways to prevent damage caused by dryness, irritation, eczema, and other dermatological disorders. It may even boost your immune system. This means using a cleanser that is not overly harsh and overloaded with preservatives or perfumes. Instead, find a bar that has beneficial ingredients such and prebiotics and probiotics. Wear Sun Protection We all love a good, deep suntan, but did you know that skin cancer is one of the top 5 most common cancers? One of the leading causes of these types of cancers is sun damage. Aside from causing a variety of skin cancers, sun damage can also cause a loss of skin elasticity, dark spots, and scaly patches called actinic keratoses, to name a few (Slide Show: Sun Damage). Sun protection by using sunscreen, proper clothing, and headwear are all great options for skincare. Keep Away from Cigarettes Sometimes, it can sadly be undeniable that someone is a cigarette smoker just by looking at their skin. Skin sags, it has excess wrinkles, and the cigarette smoker can often look much older than their age because of it. There has also been a connection between the nicotine in cigarettes and developing psoriasis. Smoking cigarettes also causes impaired blood circulation, making recovering from even minor scrapes or cuts more difficult. Aside from the well-known cancer-causing aspects of cigarette smoking, if you needed one more reason to quit, think of your skin! Stay Hydrated Your skin may also lack protective strength if it is not adequately hydrated. While moisturizers can work to some extent, it is always best to start at your core and drink enough water throughout the day. Experts say that you should strive for 11 to 16 cups per day. Being adequately hydrated will not only protect your skin and keep it glowing, but the Mayo Clinic tells us that it helps with healthy digestion, body temperature, lubrication of joints, and overall cell health (Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?). For even more tips to keep your skin healthy, visit https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/awareness-campaigns/national-healthy-skin-month Sources “10 Ways Smoking Damages Your Skin.” Verywell Mind, 10 Oct. 2021, www.verywellmind.com/9-ways-smoking-damages-your-skin-4061299 Prescott, Susan. “The Skin Microbiome: Impact of Modern Environments on Skin Ecology, Barrier Integrity, and Systemic Immune Programming.” World Allergy Organization Journal, 22 Aug. 2017, www.waojournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40413-017-0160-5 “Slide Show: Sun Damage.” Mayo Clinic, 6 June 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/sun-damage/sls-20076973?s=9 “Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?” Mayo Clinic, 14 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256#:%7E:text=The%20U.S.%20National%20Academies%20of,fluids%20a%20day%20for%20women Share this post Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google Plus