Having healthy skin is not just about how we look but it is also about how we feel about ourselves, having bad skin can damage our self esteem and likewise having healthy, glowing skin can make us feel great. Everyone should have a good daily skin care routine.
Many people spend a lot of time and money on skin care products that unfortunately just do not work for them. In fact using too many different products on your skin can have the opposite effect and can actually worsen existing skin problems.
However if you know what skin type you are and use a few good quality products you can improve your skins health and appearance. Below is an outline of the skin care products that are necessary for general skin care. We will also look at the options for natural skin care as well as some of the most common skin care problems. First is a brief outline of the make up of our skin and what each section does, this will help us to understand why certain methods work and why others do not.
The Skin
Our skin is made up of three basic layers:
- The epidermis or outer layer of skin, the part that is visible. Surprisingly this is made up of layers of dead skin cells held together by fatty acids and oils that create a waterproof barrier. Underneath these layers are more layers of skin, however these comprise of living skin cells and are responsible for the creation of the layers of skin that we can see. These are constantly in production and as the outer layers flake away, new layers of fresh skin emerge, helping to give us a healthy glow.
- The dermis is the second layer, this is the true skin, comprising of arteries and veins, lymph vessels and nerve fibers. This is where the roots of our hair is situated and also the sebaceous glands responsible for the production of the oil that keeps our skin elastic and supple. The oil produced is sebum which when overproduced can result in oily skin.
- The third layer is a layer of fat that helps to protect our bodies from minor injuries.
That is the basic makeup of our skin, our sweat glands are also contained in the dermis as is the proteins, collagen and elastin.
There are four main skin types, these are:
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Normal skin
- Combination skin
Skin Care – Nourishing your Skin
There are a few basic requirements of the skin to ensure that it remains healthy, if you provide these you can have glowing, radiant skin that looks and feels great. To keep your skin healthy your skin must has the proper supply of oxygen, vitamins, minerals and water.
Most of these can be supplied very simply, drinking enough water and using a suitable moisturizer is sufficient to keep your skin well hydrated. Eating a balanced diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables will provide most of the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your skin in good condition. Smoking is a major cause of lack of oxygen to the skin, depriving it of oxygen can create bad skin. Most people are born with normal skin, lifestyle is almost always a factor in skin care and the development of unhealthy skin, but there are some exceptions.
Common Bad Skin Problems
There are many different skin problems and how you deal with each one can vary, sometimes the cause is lifestyle and sometimes it can be due to outside factors that can be hard to control. However knowing what the problem is will put you one step closer to finding a solution. In most cases it is advisable to try a natural skin care remedy first and while these will work in many situations there are some skin problems that will need further treatment. Here are some of the most common bad skin problems:
- Oily Skin caused by the overproduction of sebum.
- Dry Skin can be caused by outside factors such as weather conditions or lack of proper hydration.
- Sensitive Skin, some skin types are more sensitive to certain conditions which can cause redness and/or inflammation.
- Acne can affect both teens and adults and is often caused by our hormones or diet.
- Blackheads are common in those that suffer with oily skin as the pores are larger and more likely to become clogged.
- Skin discoloration and age spots
- Rosacea is a chronic hypersensitivity of the face causing redness and can appear lumpy with red lines, can be caused by alcohol consumption, sunlight and stress and other factors.
- Eczema and psoriasis
- Broken capillaries
- Dark under eye circles and bags
- Sun damaged skin
- Scarring
- Crows feet
Skin Care Products for Daily Use
A good skin care routine can be quite simple, provided you know your skin type and are not suffering with a serious skin condition. In most cases the only products you will need are a cleanser that is suitable for daily use and matched to your skin type, a toner and a quality moisturizer.
If you have problem skin the first thing you need to do is find out which skin care treatment is right for your particular condition. In most cases, minor skin conditions such as dry or oily skin can be rectified over time and you can bring back your skins natural balance, once this is done you will only need the above on a daily basis, combined with a balanced diet you should be able to easily maintain normal skin.
Skin Care Advice
General tips for keeping your skin looking healthy:
- Drink plenty of water, eight glasses of water is recommended each day to keep your skin hydrated which will help your skin to remove waste and toxins that can cause bad skin.
- Get enough sleep, there is truth in the old saying of “getting your beauty sleep” the skin regenerates while our bodies sleep, new cells are formed and waste is removed during this time, the longer your sleep the better for your skin.
- Protect your skin from the sun, the sun is a major cause of skin problems, UV rays can damage our skin and lead to premature aging and wrinkles.
- Eat healthily, a balanced diet that includes all the essential vitamins and minerals we need will help to prevent your skin from appearing dry and flaky.
- Keep your skin clean, many people tend to rest their head on their hands while at work etc, this can transfer bacteria and germs to the skin and cause skin problems. Cleanse your skin morning and night.
- Exercise is great for your skin, it helps to increase circulation and can make your skin appear younger and fresher.
- Don’t smoke, smoking can reduce the flow of oxygen to your skin and can cause premature wrinkling and can make your skin tone appear duller.
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