The warm weather on the horizon moves our thoughts to peeling off the winter layers and enjoying some sunshine and warmth. It is a great time to review how to take care of the wonderful covering we have holding us all together, our skin!
The skin is the largest organ of the body; it regulates body temperature, protects against microbial attack and assists in elimination of toxins through perspiration. Skin cells can assist the liver by detoxing harmful substances. In addition, it provides us with vital information about our environment, allowing us to protect ourselves.
Most of us have become adept at picking out those unhealthy ingredients in our foods and reading labels that show us what we are eating. We can do the same for everything we topically apply to our skin and hair. An easy mantra to remember could be, “If we put it on our skin, we are putting it in our body. “ This applies equally to deodorants, hair care products and cosmetics.
So let us look at some healthy things you can do for you skin.
1. Drink plenty of pure clean water, which will help flush out toxins and make those laughter lines less noticeable. In general, you can divide your weight in half and drink that amount in ounces. Start slowly to build up to your optimal amount.
2. Support skin from the inside out with a healthy diet of whole grains, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, heart healthy fats and lean protein.
3. Avoid prepackaged, processed non-foods that have very little nutrition and are not recognized by the body as fuel.
4. Eat plenty of good healthy essential fats. Fats are a large part of skin structure and act as emollients and humectants in skin care products, keeping skin supple and moist. Good sources are cold-water fish, flaxseeds, nuts, seeds and expeller or cold pressed vegetable oils such as olive, coconut, almond, safflower and sunflower.
5. Avoid personal care items that carry the following toxic substances: propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, SD alcohol, all petroleum-based ingredients, along with synthetic dyes, and fragrances. If it’s too hard to pronounce then it’s probably too hard on your skin.
6. For your skin care products choose ingredients that are more natural including bases that contain almond or safflower oil, coconut butter, beeswax, aloe vera or glycerine.
7. Be aware of the stress connection. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, stress can make skin more sensitive and reactive. It can increase existing skin conditions and breakouts. When skin is weakened it is more vulnerable to irritants, allergens and bacteria.
8. Protect skin from the elements with a natural sunscreen but don’t forget to take advantage of a few minutes in the sun to boost your immune stimulating vitamin D.
9. Adopt healthy skin habits by not smoking. Smoking increases the aging process and depletes essential oxygen and nutrients to the cells. It also damages collagen and elastin, which are fibers that firm and tighten skin.
10. Sleep well, the body regenerates and restores every organ, system and cell during sleep, so try to keep your sleep routine consistent and get between 7 to 9 hours nightly. Above all remember to love the skin your in!
