Take Charge of Your Health - Love the Skin You Are In

Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness. - Dr. Howard Murad

          Our skin is the body’s largest organ. Acting as a barrier, our skin plays an important role in protecting us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, bacteria, viruses, pollution, and chemical substances we encounter every day. Our skin also regulates our body temperature, maintains fluid balance, helps control moisture loss, and recognizes pain to alert us to danger.
 
          Everyone’s skin is different in tone, texture, and features. While our skin’s needs change over the course of our lives, basic skin care does not. Cleansing/toning, moisturizing, and sun protection goes a long way in protecting the health of our skin.
 
Cleansing & Toning
          Washing our face and body is the most basic and essential step of any skin routine. Since our skin is constantly in contact with environmental pollutants and dirt, it is important to cleanse morning and night. For the face, in addition to mild soaps, some people like to use serums or “toners” – not the stinging astringents from the 1980s but liquids that deliver nutrients. Examples include:

  • Alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help remove dead skin cells which clog pores and also improve sun-damaged skin

  • Hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, plump the facial skin, and help minimize fine lines

  • Rose water and green tea to provide an anti-inflammatory effect and calm the skin

  • Vitamins E and C to fight aging of the skin

  • Honey and shea butter for hydration

  • Retinol, vitamin B3, and peptides which help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin

          Consumers are adopting both organic cleansers and moisturizers with fewer chemicals. Ingredients you may wish to avoid in your products include:

  • Sodium lauryl sulfate which can strip skin of its natural oils

  • Propylene glycol, paraffin, mineral oil, butylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, and petrolatum, which can clog pores - instead look for natural plant oils

  • Isopropyl and ethyl alcohol which can be very drying and irritating

  • Fragrances

          Along with washing your skin, be sure to clean your make-up brushes where dead skin cells and bacteria can accumulate.
 
Moisturizing
          The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin by preventing water loss through the outer layers of your skin. Applying a facial day cream in the morning can also protect your skin from harmful environmental elements and if it includes a sunscreen, it will help shield your skin from ultraviolet rays. Night creams have a richer, thicker texture and focus on repairing skin damage with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and replenish moisture.
 
          Ingredients in moisturizers which replenish the skin’s natural moisture include:

  • Glycerol which helps water and liquids penetrate the outer layer of skin

  • Ceramides to help replenish the skin's natural oils

  • Hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead skin cells

  • Niacinamide to help the skin produce natural oils 

          Natural emollients are lubricating ingredients which can have a beautiful softening, protective, and smoothing effect on your skin. Emollients include non-fragrant plant oils along with shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil, and mango butter.
 
          Antioxidants can also play an important role in alleviating dryness. You may wish to look for products that contain: Green tea extract, grape extract, resveratrol, vitamin C, vitamin E, epigallocatechin-3 gallate, superoxide dismutase, ferulic acid, quercetin, willow herb extract, feverfew extract, and licorice extract.
 
          A retinol skin care cream is often recommended for a facial night time routine. It can reduce blemishes, minimize large pores, boost cell regeneration, and target fine lines and wrinkles.

          Selecting the best moisturizer depends on your skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) and should consider any skin conditions you might have including acne, eczema, or rosacea. It is recommended to visit with a dermatologist to review the condition of your skin and receive a recommendation on what will work best for you.
 
Sun Protection
          Sunscreen is commonly regarded as the most crucial skin care product. Use of a daily sunscreen can help prevent the formation of certain skin cancers and also help with the natural signs of aging. To make it easy to remember to use sunscreen, skin experts recommend using a daytime moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30.
 
Additional ways to keep your skin healthy:

  • Establish a daily skin care routine and stick to it

  • Eat a healthy diet

  • Stay hydrated

  • Manage your stress

  • Don't smoke

  • Get a good night of sleep

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