Caring for your face and body skin is a major component of good health care. Your skin forms a natural barrier against environmental threats, holding in the water and nutrients that your body needs. You can protect healthy skin by learning what the experts suggest about daily and periodic skin care. Doctors and researchers have nothing to sell and everything to gain from your knowledge. Use information from health experts who understand the mechanics of facial care and the science behind cosmetic products that work.
Encourage Growth
Exfoliate every week or so to encourage new skin cell growth. Healthy skin continually renews itself by sloughing off old cells and generating new ones. Doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggest using facial care scrubs and other cosmetic products that contain hydroxy acids and retinoids. In the ingredients list, look for glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy and salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy. Retinoid creams, which are usually applied for overnight action, have also been proven to speed cellular turnover.
Discourage Infection
Cleanse your face twice daily to discourage skin infections. Your skin's pores function best without obstructions. Keeping them clear with regular cleansing is essential to health, according to AAD dermatologists. To remove dead skin cells and external debris trapped in surface oil, cleanse morning and evening with warm water and gentle, nondeodorant and fragrance-free soap.
Discourage Dryness
Discourage dryness and help healthy skin stay pliable by moisturizing. Stripping away oil secreted by the sebaceous glands can dry skin. To restore your skin's natural moisture level, facial care should include an application of lotion or cream moisturizer after cleansing.
Prevent Wrinkles
Avoid premature aging by not smoking. Experts at the Skin Sciences Institute and Mayo Clinic agree that smoking changes your body chemistry to adversely affect skin. Smoking may contribute to deep wrinkles, a rough texture and a harsh, weathered appearance.
Prevent Cancer
Avoid tanning, especially using indoor tanning beds and sun lamps, to prevent skin cancer. Dermatologists at the AAD report that long-term overexposure to UVA and UVB rays damages your immune system and can cause melanoma and other skin cancers. If you must bronze, use topical "instant tan" cosmetic products. These will color your skin but don't penetrate the epidermis.
Prevent Age Spots
Use sunscreen every day to delay or prevent age spots. Hyperpigmentation, or the uneven skin tone associated with age spots, develops from unprotected exposure to sun. Put off these and other visible signs of aging by using an SPF 30 or higher strength of sunblock cosmetic products as part of your body and facial care. Sunscreen also protects healthy skin against cancer, AAD doctors say.
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