Skin care 101

Your skin health is important, not only for your appearance, but for the essential tasks it performs for your body everyday.

Your skin protects you from the many viruses and bacteria that you are exposed to daily. It also protects you from the sun’s rays – specifically ultraviolet light – that can damage cells. Having healthy skin also helps your body keep its temperature at a constant level.

When i reached my twenties, i realised my skin does not bounce back like it used to and started to grasp the importance of skin care. I have always been careless – forgetting to apply sunscreen, going to sleep with my makeup on and laying countless hours in the sun to get that perfect glow. Looking at the world around me, i started to notice the damage you can do to your body when not looking after your skin. Cracked feet/heals, sunspots/cancers, dry skin/scalp conditions and a boatload of other things.

It’s crucial to keep a great skin care routine and follow it daily. Important things to note:

• Drink a lot of water
• Always use quality cosmetics – Spending a little extra might hurt the pocket now, but will save you in the long run.
• Use sunscreen before stepping out in sun and re-apply every 2 hours – Its important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks UVB and UVA rays, with an SPF of 15 or higher (some makeup products also has this benefit for extra protection on your face).
• Remove makeup with good cleanser/face wash before going to bed.
• Apply moisturizer to your face and body every night – Use skin care products with 10 ingredients or less to reduce irritation.
• Have makeup free days – Giving your skin a break helps your natural oils return to your face.
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods – Dark chocolate, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, blueberries and leafy greens improve the skin’s appearance.
• Take care of cuts/scratches – Clean it right away with soap and warm water and put on a bandage to protect it while it heals. This keeps dirt and germs from getting into the wound and causing an infection.

Skin care is important to keep your skin healthy, glowing and beautiful for years to come. By making these changes, you are investing in your future health.

Till next time…