Caring for your skin isn't just about choosing cosmetic products; it is part of the process of achieving young-looking, healthy skin. Your skin cells are some of the "youngest" on your body; continual cell renewal involves the sloughing off of all dead surface tissue at the rate of once a month. Diligent skin care facilitates this exfoliation and rejuvenation--and doctors at the American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) say that the right cosmetic products do help.
Significance
The need for skin care persists throughout life; it doesn't just crop up at 30, 40 or 50. Most babies are born with healthy skin but may experience passing skin conditions before age 2. Active school-age children receive 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure, which can damage skin, by about age 18. Youthful skin turns the corner in your mid-20s and begins the natural aging process, although results may not be visible for years yet. Caring for skin daily can delay, reduce or eliminate wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
Features
To counteract skin damage from environmental and biological causes, dermatologists recommend daily cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection. Mild, non-deodorant soap, moisturizing lotion based on skin type and SPF 30 or higher sunblock are suggested by the AAD. Age and skin type will also determine how often you need to exfoliate. If you use make-up, hypoallergenic make-up remover should be used before cleansing. Those with sensitive or oily skin may benefit from applying a toning cosmetic product after cleansing.
Effects
Daily cleansing washes away oil from the skin's sebaceous glands plus dirt, dust and debris from the skin surface. This disturbs natural moisture levels, so using a moisturizer while skin is still damp pulls water back into the surface tissue and seals it in with a barrier. Applying sunscreen every day staves off sun damage, uneven skin tone and skin cancer, and using an exfoliating scrub clears pores and encourages healthy skin function.
Geography/Environment
You may need less frequent cleansing and more applications of moisturizer if you live in an extreme weather zone. Low humidity, strong UV exposure and abrasion are the biggest dangers to skin. Seasonal dry skin can be caused by dry indoor air from furnaces, radiators and fireplaces. Outdoor snow conditions and sun glare off of water can cause abrasion and burn skin. These may be countered by adding soothing moisture masks and after-sun cosmetic products to daily skin care staples.
Other Considerations
Additional factors, such as individual allergies, skin sensitivity and diet, play into how much maintenance is necessary to achieve healthy skin. Consistency, however, garners greater results than sporadic trips to the spa. To look your best, dermatologists at the AAD advise making regular skin care a part of your life.
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