The Philosophy of Skin Care
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Foundation
Healthy, beautiful skin does not come in a bottle or magic potion. And although some people may just have naturally flawless and supple skin, most of us have to work at it. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and the health of your skin acts as a gauge for your overall health and well-being. Caring for you skin should be part of your daily health and beauty regime. It’s vital that you protect your skin from damage and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to keep your skin strong and healthy from the inside. Here are the bare facts you need to know about skin care and what you should be doing now to protect the health of your skin for years to come.
Beware of the Sun
If you do nothing else to take care of your skin, be sure to take proper precautions to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. The sun emits several different types of harmful radiation, including ultraviolet rays that are capable of burning or damaging skin tissue; and infrared radiation, which may be responsible for more long-term skin damage. Sun exposure is responsible for 90% of all medical skin damage such as skin cancer and tumors, and it’s responsible for over 80% of all cosmetic skin damage including wrinkles, premature aging, dryness, liver spots and broken blood vessels.
Yet despite repeated warnings, most Americans continue to actively seek a tan in hopes of looking better and "healthier." Ironically, the "healthy" look of a sun tan today can translate into serious illness and disease in the future. Avoiding mid-day sun exposure is the single best thing you can do for the health and beauty of your skin. And with all of the wonderful sunscreens, sunless tanning creams and sun protection products currently on the market, Americans should have less and less of an excuse to "worship the sun."
The sun is beneficial to the skin during the early morning hours 30 minutes during sunrise and 30 minutes during sunset. Your body needs sunlight. The damaging rays occur 3 hours after sunrise till 1 hour before sunset. And the skin needs at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight at least 2 times daily.
Skin Care Philosophy: Avoid excess sun exposure during the heat of the day by applying a natural sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to the skin everyday. Wear protective clothing such as loose, long-sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats for extra protection. Avoid tanning booths and tanning beds. If necessary, use sunless tanners to brighten skin and replace a natural sun tan.
You Are What You Eat
Skin care is more than just what you put on your skin; it’s also what you put in it. What you eat and drink can make a big difference in the health and overall appearance of your skin. Your body needs over 40 different nutrients on a daily basis for proper growth and maintenance. If it doesn’t receive these nutrients, basic life functions, such as the repair of skin tissues, begin to suffer. Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help to supply your body with the fuel and nutrients you need to stay healthy and keep your system functioning properly. And what you drink is just as important as what you eat. The body needs plenty of purified water in order to stay hydrated and healthy. Alcohol and sugary soft drinks can throw off your body's internal chemistry and should only be consumed in moderation.
Skin Care Philosophy: Give your body and your skin the nutrients they need to stay strong and healthy. Drink ample amounts of water throughout the day to hydrate your skin and move nutrients and waste through your system. Aim to eat a wholesome, nutritious diet that will help your body maintain and repair skin tissues. Fresh fruits and vegetables will provide the essential vitamins and minerals you need to keep your skin in top shape.
Walk a Mile in Your Skin
Many people fail to equate exercise with skin care. But in truth, exercise plays a vital role in the health, maintenance, and appearance of your skin. Regular exercise can improve your skin's color and texture by increasing blood flow and improving circulation. This in turn allows more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered throughout the system. In order to prevent future skin problems while exercising, you may wish to take these simple precautions:
- Remove makeup before exercising to allow your skin to breathe and sweat.
- Remove jewelry to lessen the chance of irritations and reactions.
- Cleanse your skin as soon as possible after exercising to remove perspiration and debris that can clog pores.
Skin Care Philosophy: Make exercise a part of your skin care regime. Exercise can help to stimulate the digestive system and move nutrients through the body. It can also help to purge toxins through sweating. Even 15 minutes a day can boost your overall wellness and the health of your skin.
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop and sell exclusively high-end natural and organic skin care lines to support a wide range of skin conditions. The products he promotes are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives. For more information on skin care please visit Skin-care-support.org.
