Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and one that often goes neglected. Keeping your skin healthy is more important than you might realize. Healthy skin is a sign of beauty and youth, but there’s more to your skin than looking good. A good skincare routine is one of the ways to improve your overall health as well as your appearance.
With this in mind, here is why skincare is so important and how you can look after your skin.
The Importance of Healthy Skin
Like the other organs in your body, your skin is affected by your general health. If you’re unwell, you might notice that your skin looks dull or otherwise washed out. If you’re dehydrated, it will show in your skin, and many people are well aware that the quality of their skin is one of the first and most obvious signs of aging.
Your skin can also be an indicator of an underlying health condition, so it makes sense to pay attention to any severe or sudden skin issues. For example, moles that change color, texture, or shape, can be a sign of skin cancer.
Not only this, but your skin has a vital role in your body. Skin health is important because it allows your body to function properly. Your skin keeps your body safe from viruses and other potential dangers, such as harmful radiation. It also helps you to regulate your temperature.
Your Skincare Routine
Your skin goes through a lot, so its up to you to take care of it. This keeps your skin healthy and, if you keep it off, can help you to look younger for longer. Skincare is something that looks after your health and beauty all at once.
Everyone’s skin is different, so the first trick to establishing a good skincare routine is to learn about your skin and the best way to take care of it. You can break down your skin type into four basic groups.
- Normal skin is well-balanced and considered the ideal skin type.
- Dry skin doesn’t have enough sebum (skin oil), so can dry out and look dull.
- Oily skin has too much sebum, so can look greasy and shiny.
- Combination skin has patches of dry, oily, and sometimes normal skin.
You should choose products that suit your skin type and help to bring it closer to the normal type. This will help your skin to be as healthy as possible.
Another trick to taking care of your skin is to make sure that your skincare routine is regular. Different people might need different levels of care, but cleansing and moisturizing your skin at least once or twice a day is a good place to start.
Treating Common Skin Conditions
As mentioned before, your skin is an indicator of your general health. Not only this, but you can develop common skin conditions that impact how it looks and feels. For example, acne is seen as a normal part of life, but if you can’t get rid of it or if it’s particularly severe, then you may need medical intervention to restore your skin to normal.
Another skin condition that many people have to deal with is eczema. Eczema can range from dry skin patches that can be controlled with moisturizers, or a far more severe issue involving cracked and extremely dry skin. Bad eczema can be painful and lead to skin infections, as the cracks in your skin allow microbes to enter your body. Some parts of your body, like the skin on your hands or legs, are more prone to this. Here is some advice if you have an eczema flare up on your legs.
Some skin conditions also cause issues with your overall health. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes scabs and scales of sore skin. It can appear as white or red patches and may be painful or itchy. Psoriasis doesn’t just affect your skin, as it’s an autoimmune condition that can also cause joint pain and other issues, and has been linked to arthritis.
If you are worried about your skin, either because you have a skin condition or because you’ve noticed a change, then you should see a doctor or dermatologist. A doctor can find out what the problem is if there’s an underlying condition. They can also give you targeted advice and prescribe medication, if necessary. This means that you can treat your issues, improving your overall health and helping you to feel more comfortable in your own skin.