Your skin performs many vital tasks, including regulating body temperature and humidity and providing a safe environment for your organs to function. Healthy skin also plays a major part in your appearance, and routine skin care will help you look your best. Cosmetic products and care practices should match your skin type and condition in order to do the most good--and the least harm.
Features
Healthy skin is the goal behind regular care. Facial skin care includes cleansing with mild soap, exfoliating with a mild scrub, moisturizing and using sunscreen. If you apply makeup, you'll need a product specially formulated to fully remove it. A body care routine should include cleansing with regular soap, exfoliating with a bath brush or cosmetic product and moisturizing, especially hands and fingernails.
Time Frame
Cosmetics experts at Clinique and Almay suggest a three-step skin care regimen to cleanse, exfoliate or tone, and moisturize the face, twice a day. Doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) add to that an SPF 30+ sunscreen application on all exposed skin once a day, reapplying as necessary. Your skin type will determine the time frame that's right for you. For instance, those with oily or sensitive skin may need to exfoliate less often, such as once a week. Individuals with dry skin may need to moisturize up to four times a day or more, especially in the winter.
Function
Daily cleansing promotes healthy skin by removing surface impurities. Adding an exfoliating cosmetic product aids in sloughing off dead skin cells. These two tasks clear the pores so that skin can perform respiration and release metabolic wastes. Moisturizing restores the skin's water-holding properties, forming a barrier from the outside elements. Sunblock forms a photo barrier that repels harmful UV rays. The end result is skin that is as soft, supple and healthy looking as possible for your age and lifestyle.
Significance
Beauty is a legitimate pursuit, but maintaining healthy skin is important to your overall health and life expectancy. Sun protection alone can prevent skin cancer, some forms of which are deadly. Caring for sensitive or inflamed skin mitigates the stress that allergic reactions place on the body, especially in the long range. Left untreated, chronic skin conditions detract from your quality of life and may lead to complications, such as scarring or permanent eye damage.
Considerations
Dermatologists say that sensitive skin conditions are on the rise. This may be due to long-term applications that irritate the skin. Americans use a plethora of cosmetic products, and while most are effective for their intended purposes, they may harm the skin at the same time. The AAD cites ingredients such as fragrance, color and preservatives as common causes of allergic reaction. Choosing skin care products carefully and using as few as possible are two ways to protect your skin and avoid a chronic condition.
Member Comments