Did you know your skin is the largest barrier your body has against infection? When your skin is healthy and strong, this layer of protection is more equipped to do its job, protecting your body from all manner of bacteria that can cause infections and other issues. The outermost layer of your skin is your first defense against harm, so it’s not hard to understand why skin care is so important. We often think about skin care from a cosmetic angle, but healthy skin is more vital to your overall health than you may realize. Below are 5 daily tips for maintaining healthy skin from our Galen Dermatology team. 

 

1- Don’t skip the sunscreen!

We can’t stress enough how critical it is to use sunscreen regularly. Not only can sunburn be extremely painful, but also (as we all know) prolonged and excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Those powerful UV rays can do a lot of long term harm. Those rays also dry out your skin which causes your body to produce more oil to try to counteract the dryness. More oil can lead to other problems like blemishes and acne. SO– the moral of the story is: wear sunscreen. Just do it, okay?

 

2- Practice a Skincare Regimen

Cleansing and moisturizing your skin regularly is crucial for overall skin health, but this can get tricky. Everyone’s skin is different, and it’s hard to know how often to wash your face and what products to use. Overwashing can lead to dryness, underwashing can leave your skin oily. Washing your face removes dirt and bacteria that can cause breakouts and other problems. If you need some direction with finding a skin care routine that is ideal for you and your skin, our dermatologists can help. 

 

3- Stay Hydrated

It’s amazing what an impact hydration can have on our overall health. The skin is no exception to this rule. Drinking enough water is imperative for healthy skin, and here’s why. Your skin is an organ. In fact, it’s the largest organ in your body, and it is mostly comprised of– you guessed it– water. Drinking more water can result in a lot of great benefits for your skin including fewer wrinkles, clearer complexion, faster healing, reduced puffiness, and even smaller pores. So, drink up!

 

4- Get Good Sleep

They don’t call it beauty rest for nothing, folks. Getting quality sleep each night is so important for overall health, but it can also contribute to maintaining healthy skin. While you sleep, your body rests and repairs itself– skin included. Great sleep also helps to reduce stress, and we all know stress can wreak havoc on the skin. It’s also important to keep your linens clean and fresh to help reduce dirt, bacteria, and oil that can build up on your pillowcases and affect your skin.

 

5- Exercise Regularly

It might seem odd that exercising regularly would have any benefits for the skin, but it actually does. Exercise increases blood flow throughout your entire body, which in turn carries important oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. This whole process serves to boost overall skin health, while also benefiting you in myriad other ways. Be sure to shower after your workout though, to clear pores that may get clogged with sweat while you’re getting that heart rate up.

 

6- Moisturize Round the Clock

You wouldn’t expect a houseplant to thrive if you neglected to water it, would you? So you can’t expect your skin to be as healthy as it can be if you don’t moisturize it as you should. Moisturizing your skin is essential. Neither excess dryness nor excess oiliness is a good look for your skin, and did you know that proper moisturizing helps prevent both? Your skin needs a certain amount of oil to remain healthy and soft, and your body produces natural oils to help keep your skin hydrated when pores are clean and clear. This oil lubricates the surface of your skin while also shedding dead skin cells. Excess oil can sometimes be the body’s natural response to dehydration– so oily skin can sometimes mean you need to moisturize more effectively. 

 

Some of these tips are easier to manage on your own than others, but if you find yourself with questions about how to achieve and maintain the healthiest skin possible, contact our dermatologists at Galen today. They can help with your skin care routine, regular skin screenings, cosmetic procedures, and more.