The Importance of Skin Protection and a Skin Care Routine For Healthy Skin

The skin is the body’s largest organ and our first point of contact with the world around us. Often times, it is also the first place that our health care and self-care practices (or lack there of) can be seen. It is true that there are positive general care practices that can help us naturally maintain healthy skin. These include:

• working out
• drinking lots of water
• reducing the intake of processed foods and sugars
• consuming more fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains getting adequate sleep
• managing stress

However, a specific skin care regimen is still recommended to help maintain youthful, glowing, healthy skin.

Having a skin care regime is a must if you want to have the healthiest, most attractive skin possible. It is important to properly cleanse your skin using products that are gentle (not harmful and harsh) to help keep it in good condition. In addition, dermatological services can help you find the appropriate products that are likely to work for you. Of course, there are homemade natural options (like facial egg masks) that can also be included in your routine.

Another essential, and often overlooked, part of skin care is protecting the skin. This becomes even more important in the summertime. Direct exposure to UV rays in the summer can greatly increase your chance of developing skin cancers. Make skin cancer protection an integral part of your skin care routine by:

• Wearing sunscreen: Overexposure to UV rays is one of the most common causes of skin cancer and skin damage. As we are taught at an early age, sunscreen is a very important part of combating the sun’s rays. As long as the sun is out, your sunscreen should be out. An over-the-counter sunscreen of SPF 15 or more is a great place to start. And remember, keep applying!
• Donning protective gear: In addition to wearing sunscreen, protective gear like umbrellas or clothes with sleeves, can help to form a buffer between the sun’s rays and direct contact with the skin.