Care for Your Skin in Every Season
While most people don’t immediately think of their skin as an organ, it has many functions. It holds the nerves that provide your sense of touch, regulates temperature and keeps out germs. It can also be very sensitive to certain kinds of damage. It is important to keep your skin healthy so that it can keep you healthy. Here are some essential tips to taking care of your skin.
Winter
In the winter, the greatest threat to your skin is dehydration. Dry skin becomes less flexible and will chap and crack more easily, leading to small openings which can provide an opportunity for infection. It’s also uncomfortable. If your skin is mildly dry it will often be itchy, and if it becomes severe enough to split, the results can be painful.
One of the easiest ways to deal with chronic dry skin is to purchase a humidifier. This will help keep the air in your living environment moisture and help it to have less of a negative effect on your skin. If you have to be outdoors or in a dry work environment for most of the day, you can take other measures, such as moisturizing lotions. You should also avoid harsh soaps and try to take shorter, cool showers, as long ones actually encourage your skin to dry out.
Summer
In summer, it’s the sun that is your skin’s enemy. Too much exposure to UV rays is usually the cause of many skin cancers, and it can age your skin more rapidly. Make sure to use plenty of sunscreen, wear clothing that covers your skin when possible, and try to stay indoors or in the shade during the middle of the day. This will help protect your skin from direct sunlight.
Everyday
A generally healthy diet, particularly one rich in antioxidants, can help keep your skin healthy. Yellow-orange fruits and vegetables like apricots and carrots, leafy green veggies, blueberries, lentils, and many fish are all great foods for your skin.
You should also avoid other damaging factors. This can include smoking. Along with being bad for your general health, smoking is directly bad for your skin, which is why chronic smokers often look much older than they are. If you do smoke, there is only so much you can do to care for your skin. It will be damaged no matter what you eat or how many serums you put on it.
Strong soaps and poor shaving practices can also be significant skin irritants. Try to use gentle soaps and cleaners, especially if you have sensitive skin, and always use soap or a shaving cream or gel when you shave.
Another everyday factor you may not have considered is stress. While it’s not always easy to remove stress from your life, you do need to seriously consider the toll it takes on your health. If you have significant stress, to the point where it is affecting your skin health and the rest of your body on a regular basis, it may be time to re-evaluate your lifestyle. Consider taking up mindfulness meditation, or some holistic exercise like a yoga or tai-chi class.
If you have questions about how to care for your skin make an appointment to see our skincare specialists. Contact Us Today!
Further Reading
