Smooth, supple skin projects youthfulness and good health. Healthy skin also acts as a barrier between the inner body and the outer environment. Maintaining healthy looking skin starts from the inside with good nutrition, but it requires careful cleansing and moisturizing on the outside, as well.
Characteristics
Skin regulates the temperature and moisture balance between the environment and the inner body, says Consumer Reports Health. The skin also prevents bacteria and viruses from entering the body. Good skin is smooth, unbroken and warm with an even color, explains the University of Washington's Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System. Rough, red or chapped skin is damaged, as is skin that is dry and flaky or wrinkled. Good skin feels comfortable with no itching or stinging.
Circulation
A rich blood supply provides oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis, explains the University of Washington. Certain conditions may impair circulation and essentially starve the skin cells. Anemia, for example, leads to decreased numbers of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Vascular conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, narrow arteries and restrict blood flow.
Nutrition
A well balanced diet leads to good skin, says the Mayo Clinic. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as well as whole grains, proteins from legumes or lean meats to provide necessary nutrients to your skin. Vitamins A, C and E are important for skin health.
Cleansing
Clean skin is healthy skin, but take care not to strip away natural oils that lubricate the skin surface, advises Consumer Reports. Harsh soaps or products containing alcohol may leave skin dry and irritated, which compromises the ability of the skin to act as a barrier. The Mayo Clinic recommends using warm--not hot- water for bathing. Avoid antibacterial or antimicrobial soaps, suggests the University of Washington, since these products reduce skin acidity, which is another barrier to infection. Rinse soaps thoroughly and pat skin dry to avoid irritation. Use a moisturizer containing shea butter, lecithin, cholesterol or squalane, says Consumer Reports.
Smoking And Sun Damage
Smoking and the sun exposure damage skin. Smoking narrows capillaries in the skin, reducing blood flow and robbing the skin of oxygen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the proteins that provide structure and elasticity to skin, leading to wrinkles. Sun exposure causes irregular pigmentation, says Consumer Reports, and contributes to wrinkles. Prolonged exposure may lead to skin discolorations or skin cancer. Always use a sunscreen if your skin will be exposed to sunlight.
Member Comments