Skincare has become a hot topic in recent years, with numerous marketing tactics promoting various products and treatments. It's easy to be sceptical and to wonder if this is just a sales tactic, but the truth of the matter is that, no matter what anyone says, skincare IS vital and shouldn't be underestimated.
Taking Care of Your Skin: Why It's Important: It is important to take steps to properly care for our skin to ensure that it remains strong and healthy. The things you do to look after your skin today will reflect in your skin in ten years’ time. Taking care of your skin now will prevent deep wrinkles, acne scars, advanced skin aging, skin discoloration, and even skin cancer in the future.
Barrier From the World
I’d like to start with the fact that our beautiful skin acts as a barrier between our internal organs and our external environment. Our skin is the largest organ that covers the human body and is the first line of defence against environmental damage such as microorganisms, chemicals, and UV radiation. When exposed to environmental pollutants over an extended period, our skin can get damaged. In addition to sunburn and premature aging, UV radiation from the sun increases your risk of skin cancer. Our skin can also suffer damage by chemicals found in synthetic skincare and beauty products used daily, household products, and the air pollution we are exposed to, especially individuals who dwell in the city.
Neglect Now, Pay Later
It is important to understand that skin damage can happen YEARS before it becomes visible. This means that even if you don't see any signs of damage on your skin right now, there may be underlying issues that will become apparent in the future. Over time, this damage can accumulate and lead to premature aging and even skin cancer. Exposure to UV radiation is a cumulative process, meaning that the damage builds up over time, even if you only spend a short amount of time in the sun each day.
Free Radicals & Antioxidants
In the first few decades of life, collagen and elastin production are strong, but they decline as we age. This is because the body produces less collagen and elastin as we age, which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen and elastin are key proteins that provide the skin with its strength, elasticity, and firmness. Moreover, free radical damage is a significant factor that can damage the collagen and elastin still present in the skin. When free radicals are present in the body, they can cause damage to these proteins, leading to premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin problems.
To combat the effects of free radical damage on the skin, it is essential to incorporate antioxidants into your skincare routine. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing damage to collagen and elastin. Some examples of antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin include vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea.
Microorganisms & Our Skin
Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are often found on human skin, and can enter the body through cuts, scrapes, and open wounds. If the body's immune system is weakened or compromised, these microorganisms can cause infection. However, when the skin is dry or irritated, cracks can occur, which can compromise its ability to act as a barrier. This can make us more vulnerable to infections, inflammation, and irritation.
Skin Sheds
The skin naturally sheds dead skin cells and replaces them with new ones. However, as we age, this process slows down, leading to dull and dry skin. A proper skincare routine that includes exfoliating the skin, helps regenerate skin cell production, boosting the production of new skin cells, resulting in brighter, smoother, stronger skin. This also helps the skin heal faster and be less susceptible to infection, which is incredibly important in our older years as we're more prone to skin injuries. Exfoliating also helps to unclog pores and helps your skincare products dive deeper into your skin, helping them work better.
Cleansing
Our skin is exposed to various pollutants and impurities throughout the day, which can clog our pores and lead to breakouts and other skin issues. By following a regular skincare routine, we can effectively remove these impurities and keep our skin clean. When our pores become clogged with dirt, oil, and other impurities, it can lead to acne, blackheads, and other skin problems. By cleansing our skin regularly, it helps to remove impurities, excess oil, and makeup from the skin, allowing our skin and pores to breathe.
Moisturize
Applying moisturizers regularly is a crucial step in maintaining healthy and radiant skin. Moisturizers help to lock in the natural moisture levels of the skin, which can be lost due to exposure to environmental stressors like pollution and harsh weather conditions such as windburns from cold temperatures. Moisturizers also create a protective barrier on the skin's surface that shields it from the harmful effects of these stressors. By providing a layer of protection, moisturizers help to prevent damage to the skin, which can lead to premature aging, dryness, and irritation. A good moisturizer provides essential nutrients to your skin, making it soft and supple.
Prevention Is Easier
Taking Care of Your Skin: Why It's Important: In conclusion, skin damage can occur years before it becomes visible on the surface of the skin. UV radiation, pollution, lifestyle choices, and other environmental factors can all contribute to skin damage over time. It is important to take steps to protect your skin from these factors and to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to promote optimal skin health. Taking care of your skin now will prevent deep, premature wrinkles, acne scars, advanced skin aging, skin discoloration, and even skin cancer in the future.
Look after yourselves and look after your skin, beauties.
Nat xx
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