Our skin is the largest organ in our body so taking care of it needs to be a priority. When the skin is healthy its layers work to protect us but when it’s compromised the skins ability to work as an effective barrier is impaired. The skin has many other functions including regulation of temperature, maintaining fluid balance and acts as a barrier and shock absorber to recognise pain sensations and alert us of dangers whilst protecting us against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
There are many internal and external factors that can impact on our skin’s health. Internal factors include genetics, ageing, hormones and certain medical conditions which of course most of these we cannot influence unlike external factors which for the most part we can influence (see my top tips below).
When we think of healthy skin we think of skin that is glowing, radiant and hydrated… But how can we achieve healthy skin and support it in maintaining its protective role?
1.Remove your make up thoroughly – Ok, so we’ve all been there after a night out, too tired to take our make-up off or we grab the nearest wet wipe. Not taking out make-up off before going to sleep can cause damage to our skin. It will clog the pores, leading to breakouts of acne and blackheads. Ditch the harsh wet wipes, they are not formulated to keep pores clear or break down oils found in make up so you will leave a LOT of make up behind plus can be quite harsh on the skin. Instead take the time to double cleanse every night. It will be worth it!
2.Exfoliate – The upper layers of our skin consist of dead skin cells. Our skin will naturally regenerate roughly every 4-6 weekly and by exfoliating regularly we will speed up this process and shift off those dead skin cells to reveal a brighter and smoother complexion. You can opt for chemical exfoliators such as glycolic and salicylic acid or by using a gentle scrub. A mild skin peel such as the Obagi blue radiance peel is a great way to treat the skin to a deeper exfoliation treatment once a month to maintain glowing skin.
3.Moisturise – Moisturising the skin is an important step to maintain heathy skin and to protect it from irritation. Did you know when your skin is dry and irritated it can lead to breakouts? Your selection of moisturisers should be based on your skin type: Oily skins need a moisturiser with a high-water content such as Obagi’s Hydrate moisturiser. Whereas a dry skin may want to pair up a hydrating oil serum, such as Obagi’s hydro drops along with a moisturiser for added moisture and protection. Moisturising will also help to fight wrinkles and the skin will look much more plump… who doesn’t want that!
4.Apply sun protection – If you’ve had a visit to my clinic then I’m sure you will have heard me talk about wearing a high factor SPF. Sunscreen is a protective and preventative measure against UVA and UVB rays and is so important to help keep our skin healthy and help reduce our risks of skin cancer. Sunscreen isn’t just for sunny weather and beach holidays, we must get into the habit of wearing it daily.
5.Drink water – This is a simple one but one that we can struggle with. Drinking water hydrates the skin from within and offers a range of health benefits, makes us feel less lethargic and will ultimately make us feel better. My top tip is to always carry a re-usable bottle of water around with you and start trying to replace other drinks with water.
6.Cut down on caffeine and alcohol – Both caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the skin resulting in a duller complexion. Try making the switch to green teas; the natural antioxidants found in green tea can contribute to fighting inflammation within the skin and body.
7.Eat well – When it comes to nutrition who better than to seek advice from than the lovely Louise Lambert-Day, a Naturopathic Nutritionist, homeopath and owner of Place Eight Wellness. Louise recommends increasing your water intake; aiming for around 2 litres per day. Her top tip for eating better is to reduce sugar and processed foods, increase vegetable intake and aim to have as much of these raw or as lightly cooked as you can! Louise explains “the bottom line is that if you don’t nourish from the inside out you will forever be on the back foot. A combination of nutrition, lifestyle changes and skin care treatments are by far the most effective way of ensuring your skin stays looking its best. If you know your hormones are have a part to play then this can also be improved so consider chatting to a naturopath or nutritionist for natural ways to do this.”
8.Sleep well – Heard the statement, you need to get your beauty sleep? Well there is some truth in that. When you sleep, your body replenishes its organs and tissues by delivering essential nutrients and removing excess fluids and toxins. Less sleep results in the release of stress hormones which can affect your immunity and increase the chance of skin problems such as acne or eczema. Aim to sleep between 7-9 hours each night to help you wake up feeling refreshed and allow your skin to glow from within.
9.Don’t touch your face – In other words, stop picking! It may be tempting to pick those pesky spots but try keep your hands away otherwise you will increase your risk of transferring bacteria from your fingertips on to your face! The same goes for your pillow cases, keep them cleaned regularly.
10.De-stress – We all know the negative impacts that stress can have on our mind and body but did we know how it can affect our skin too? When we are stressed our sympathetic nervous system releases cortisol and adrenaline into our body. Cortisol can cause increased oil production in your skin and thus lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. High stress levels can often lead to reduced sleep resulting in tired looking skin. There are many ways to de-stress and this is more important than ever after the year we have all had. Examples could be exercise, going for a long walk, breathing techniques, acupuncture and meditation.