Skin Care
3 Ways Good Skin Care Can Improve Your Health
Your skin is your bodyâs largest organ, covering your entire body. Different areas of your skin have different sensitivities and oil balances, but it is all designed to protect what lies beneath.
October 3, 2024
You might not realise that having a good skincare routine can actually maintain and improve your overall health.
The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and hypodermis (inner layer). The epidermis regenerates itself on a 28-day cycle. Itâs the bodyâs first line of defence against threats, the environment and infection.
There are three main ways a good skincare routine can promote overall health.Â
1. It supports your mental health.
This goes beyond the âlook good, feel betterâ platitude - having a regular skincare routine is a form of self-care that promotes well-being. Itâs a moment of your time where you pause, and do something small for yourself. Maybe this is the one moment in your day thatâs all about you - thatâs incredibly valuable.
There are great benefits to taking that moment of mindfulness, simply being present and observing your immediate environment; the soft pressure of massaging a product into your face, the feeling of the warm water as you rinse, and a soft towel against your cheek. Tuning in to these can stem the fast-paced flow of worrying thoughts, and give you a moment of relief.
Following a three-part skincare routine has been shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) by up to 83%. The stability of your routine is also beneficial; research shows that positive anticipation releases âfeel-good neurotransmittersâ and â[activates] a certain area of the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with a sense of well-being.â Additionally, a Lancet Psychiatry study found that people without consistent routines are more likely to experience bouts of depression and mood problems, loneliness and bipolar disorders. Byrdie notes that the intentionality of a routine fosters a sense of self-worth as you take the time to honour yourself.
2. It can prevent sun damage, and assist in the early detection of cancers.
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If you're committed to a good skincare routine, youâre likely aware that sunscreen is a must-have, and already include it in your daily practice. In doing so, youâre protecting your skin from damaging UV rays and extrinsic signs of ageing, like fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Did you know that sunburn accounts for nearly 80% of premature facial ageing?
The regularity of your routine puts you in the best position to recognise when something isnât quite right. Youâll be able to seek treatment early, and this increases your chances of identifying and treating skin cancer in the beginning stages.Â
For skin thatâs already sun damaged, all is not lost. Thereâs a wide selection of soothing, healing remedies available that utilise ingredients like Vitamin E and retinoids to restore skin health and diminish the signs of damage.
3. It helps your skin defend against infection.
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Your skin is a very effective protector. It wards off all manner of bacteria, viruses, and other environmental hazards as you walk through a breezy day. But do you know what can make it vulnerable? Dryness.
âEveryday Health describes dry, dehydrated skin as âa cracked, broken barrierâ. This makes it easy for bacteria, fungi, viruses and infections to enter the skin and cause irritation and other nasty symptoms. Not to mention the itchiness, flakiness and redness that comes with dry skin.
The average skincare routine will include a solid moisturiser, which helps the skin draw in and maintain a healthy level of hydration. Regular application of moisturiser will not only plump your skin and give you a luminous glow, but also support its function as a barrier against viruses and infections that come your way. Additionally, your regular cleanser will wash away pollutants, make-up and other build-ups that can cause damage and clog pores.Â
Convinced? Iâll say it once more, just in case you werenât sure. Your skincare routine is essential. It provides you with a moment of self-care, can help you prevent and identify sun damage, and assist your skin in fending off infections. If you thought skincare was fanciful, or unimportant, think again.Â
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