WAYS TO KEEP SKIN HEALTHY
Your skin works really hard to keep us healthy, and yet we do tend to neglect it in so many ways. Our skin is made up of an outer layer (the epidermis), and a layer of soft tissue underneath called the dermis. The epidermis constantly grows up towards the outer surface of the skin and sheds dead skin cells.
The skin does many jobs it acts as a barrier to protect our body from the environment, it also regulates the temperature and detects and fights off infections. The skin is one of the biggest and most complex organs of our body and contains hair follicles, sweat glands and blood vessels.
True to its word “if you look after your skin properly, it will be able to do its job better”
So here are a number of ways you can protect your skin to maintain its health
CARE IN THE SUN
Sunlight contains UV rays, which are the main cause of skin aging and can cause skin cancer, it is so important to protect our skin against sun damage at any age, but do take special care with babies and young children.
I am certainly not suggesting that you lock yourself indoors never to let sunlight cross your skin again, as we need to spend some time in the sun so our bodies can make Vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones. Yet it is vital we protect ourselves by using a SPF of at least 15, so slather on the sunscreen, I know you’ve heard it a million times but wearing sunscreen is the single easiest way to look younger for life.
90% of wrinkles are from sun exposure and it is so much easier to prevent the damage than it is to fix it afterwards!
STOP SMOKING
Giving up the smokes for oh so many reasons and more….
There is strong evidence that links smoking to the aging of the skin, so if you feel unaffected by health issues at this time ( and ill health due to smoking has no preference, everyone that smokes is at high risk) you skin is suffering at a high rate.
Smoking reduces the skins natural elasticity by breaking down the collagen and reducing the collagen production, the collagen found within our skin is a protein that supports the skins strength and will naturally degrade as we age, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Smoking WILL encourage the wrinkles at a faster pace!
MINDFULL OF ALCOHOL
We are Irish and yes we love a tipple, although regardless of being Irish, I am a mother of 3 young children and I love to have a glass of wine in the evenings when my children are tucked up in bed, toys have been put away until the following day and my living room doesn’t look like a crèche anymore, there is a TV programme on that I can lose myself, without the constant “mummy where is….??” or “mummy he/she said this!” . That is when I feel rightfully so I deserve this glass of wine, and dear help the person to tell me otherwise!!
So not that you need my permission to have that drink, but make yourself aware when you drink alcohol your body and skin can become dehydrated, leaving your skin looking older and tired.
So be thoughtful, have that drink yet drink plenty of water to avoid drying out your skin to rehydrate, your skin will thank you for it.
KEEPING SKIN CLEAN
A recent study found 72% of women never wash their brushes or sponges , even through they collect dirt and bacteria which can cause breakouts.
So don’t let your makeup brushes or sponges get festered, give them a clean every 2weeks with a mild cleanser.
SLEEP
I am sure you have heard it all before, but its called BEAUTY SLEEP for a reason, sleep deprivation lowers circulation which is why you look washed out and pale if you only get a few hours. At night is when your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself, so the more hours shut eye you receive the more nutrients and hydrating ingredients are absorbed into the skin.
EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN
Your skin will look dull, tired and lifeless when clogged with dead skin cells on the surface (the epidermis) Naturally your skin cells die and shed with new cells replacing them, to ensure that all dead skin cells have been removed, its important to use gentle exfoliation and not only will this brighten up your complexion, it allows better absorption of products.
STRIP OFF YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE BED
Leaving makeup and dirt on the skin overnight, doesn’t just clog pores, it can cause excessive dryness as well. Its at night that our skin repairs itself with the added help of moisturisers and serums so without these potions on your skin and a barrier of makeup added to that the pollution of day to day grime is extremely damaging to the skin natural healing and repairing system.
DRINK AN EXTRA GLASS OF WATER
Water helps clears the toxins that cause inflammation and blemishes, it also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells and helps prevents dehydration, which can cause premature aging. It can make the skin appear fuller since the hyaluronic acid that naturally exists in skin will pull in and hold the water for a wrinkle- plumping effect.
No excuses, if needed you can add a little flavor add a lemon, lime or even mint.
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