Did you know your skin is the largest organ on your body? It requires a lot of specialized attention. It covers our entire body from head to toe and is covered in hairs, except for our eyelids, palms and soles of our hands and feet and our lips. These hairs can alert us to how close we are to something or how close something is to us, and it helps to protect our skin.
There are many times where our skin needs a little more protection than our body hair can provide. For instance, sun protection. Our body hair is not enough to block out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from our sun. And although our body hair can alert us to the presence of a bug, it does not keep us safe from getting bitten by mosquitoes, ticks and other biting bugs.
When you are looking for ways to care for the skin that protects your body, there is a lot to think about. That’s why we’re breaking down your skin so that you will have the only optimal skincare guide you will ever need. There’s some science involved, but once you embrace your uniqueness and make a few tweaks, you will be good to go.
Skin Types
There are nine skin types, and each has its own needs and specialized care. Oily, normal and dry are your main types but skin types go just a little bit deeper. You could have dry, sensitive skin or oily and sensitive skin with occasional breakouts.
With so much variation, you can see why skincare is not a one size fits all affair. Everyone has a unique epidermal situation, so you should choose a skincare regimen that works for your particular needs. The trick is figuring out just what type of skin you’re dealing with.
Visit reneerouleau.com to learn more about each of the nine skin types and what you can do to solve the puzzle for each. You can also take the skin type quiz if you need help figuring out where your skin stands. And remember, as you age, make lifestyle changes or move, your skin can change. Skin is quite dynamic.
Pores
Pores are those small holes in your skin. There are two types of pores. You have the microscopic sweat pores whose job is to help your body regulate its temperature. Oil pores are also called hair follicles. These pores produce sebum or oil and they can get blocked and collect dirt and debris.
The purpose of pores is to moisturize your skin so that it stays supple and healthy. Since there are two types of sweat pores, one that produces a thicker oilier type of perspiration and one that is thinner, scattered around your oil pores, it is easy to see how breakouts and other blemishes can quickly become a problem.
When sweat glands are blocked, it appears as a rash or prickly heat. When oil pores are blocked, you will experience breakouts, acne, blackheads, milia and other blemishes. Larger pores tend to trap more dirt and oil, so if you are looking to reduce the size of your pores, regular exfoliation may be of some help.
Acne
Acne is probably one of the most popular skin issues. There are tons of treatments on the market, both prescription and over the counter, and they all claim to have great results that will make you feel so much better about your skin and boost your confidence. It affects people of all ages, from infants to senior citizens.
The two most common types are whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads are the result of a clogged pore where the debris hasn’t yet come all the way through to the surface of your skin, while blackheads occur when the debris of the clogged pore has reached the surface of your skin. Blackheads can enlarge the pore if it isn’t removed quickly. Whiteheads can precede pimples.
Papular pimples are dome-shaped papules that do not contain pus. Picking and squeezing these can cause pain and serious inflammation. Pustular pimples look just like whiteheads, but there is a red inflamed ring around it. Picking these pimples can leave you with dark spots or scars.
Nodular pimples are larger and deeper papular pimples that don’t typically respond to over the counter treatments. Then there are cysts. This form of acne is best handled by a dermatologist. They are closed pockets that are filled with pus.
There are several ways you can treat acne. You can see a dermatologist, you can use over the counter products that are geared towards your skin type or you can try natural remedies, like gently rubbing a pimple with raw garlic. There are topical application as well as internal medications, vitamins and supplements.
Regardless of the method you choose, you will need to follow basic good practices. When washing your face or any other part of your body that has acne, use a gentle and mild soap. Use a clean washcloth and do not scrub. It helps to keep your hair clean as dirt and oil from your hair can make acne worse. Another good rule of thumb is to wash after sweating, to reduce the likelihood of trapping sweat, oil and debris in your pores.
Aging
Aging skin often presents a new set of problems for older men and women. Hormone levels start to decrease and the amount of oil secreted can change dramatically, and skin loses some of its elasticity and wrinkles and lines may begin to appear. Of course, aging is part of life, but embracing the challenges it brings our skin can be difficult.
One of the biggest issues of aging skin is dry skin, which is why it is so important to use a moisturizer. It also helps to be mindful of sun exposure. Another overlooked factor is hot water. When bathing, it helps to use warm water. And if you’re into hot showers/baths, use the coolest hot water you’re comfortable with.
Rosacea is a chronic condition and usually requires the care of a dermatologist. Laser treatment and bleaching cream are two common options for age spots, they are sometimes called sun spots or liver spots. Dull skin can be reduced with a hydrating exfoliant.
Sun Protection
Protecting your skin from the sun is important no matter your age or race. While it is true that darker-skinned individuals have more natural protection against harmful sun rays, everyone can benefit from sunscreen.
The FDA recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is rated SPF 15 or higher. It is also recommended that you wait 15 minutes before going out into the sun after applying sunscreen. As sunscreen is not a waterproof product, you should reapply it often when you are in a body of water or doing a lot of sweating.
Lifestyle and Diet
It is possible to nurture your skin from the inside out. Although you can put things on your skin to protect and counteract various skin conditions and irritations, you can also change the landscape of your skin by making changes to your lifestyle and diet. Here are a few things you can do to maintain healthy, glowing skin:
- Regular exercise
- Adequate water intake
- Adequate vitamin and mineral intake
- Stop smoking
- Stop drinking
- Get enough rest
- Reduce your stress
- Keep your phone clean
It helps to develop a skincare routine that works for you. Once you find soap and moisturizer that is gentle and effective at cleaning your skin and reducing the appearance of the things that you are looking to eradicate, you stick to it. A good cleanser and moisturizer are at the foundation of a healthy skincare regimen. Ideally, washing and moisturizing should be done at least twice a day.
If you wear makeup, you want to invest in a good and thorough makeup remover. Be careful with the makeup products themselves. Some may include ingredients or additives that can be harmful or a skin irritant. Be an informed consumer and research what you’re putting on your skin. It is a living and very active part of your body that allows things to move in and out of your body.
There are even skincare systems that are being marketed. These types of products tend to come from the same manufacturer and will typically share a common active ingredient that works for your skin type or skin problem.
There are so many products out there that promise better skin. But all products are not created equal. You may find that you respond to some ingredients better than others. So you need to pay attention to how your skin responds to various products.
Now that you have gotten acquainted with some of the main factors that go into skincare, you can make positive changes and choices when it comes to what you use. Always remember that works for your friend, brother or grandmother may not work for you, so you may have to go through a little trial and error to find your sweet spot. Stay vigilant and be prepared to make changes along the way. Our skin is always changing.
No comments
Post a Comment