TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Skin...................................................................................................................3
Understanding the Skin...........................................................................................9
Taking Care of Your Skin From the Inside Out.......................................................14
Importance of Exercise..........................................................................................21
Commercial Skincare Products..............................................................................26
Home Remedies for Great Skin .............................................................................32
Acne and Other Common Blemishes.....................................................................37
For Anti‐Aging .......................................................................................................43
The Right Way to Cleanse and Care For Your Face................................................48
Common Skincare Myths ......................................................................................53
The Executive Summary ........................................................................................58
THE SKIN
When someone asks you to name human organs, what comes to mind?
Kidney, liver, eyes? These are all great answers but did you know that the skin
is not just an organ but actually the largest organ of the human body? We
may have a tendency to think of our skin in separate parts ‐ the soles of our
feet are so different than the skin on our faces, for instance ‐ but in reality the
skin is one large singular organ that is very different and unique than any
other part of the body for so many reasons.
One interesting fact about the skin is that its health is very dependent on what
we as its owners do to take care of it. Yes, there are many things we can do to
take care of our kidneys and our liver ‐ not using the bathroom frequently
enough or getting enough hydration can cause kidney stones, overdrinking
alcoholic beverages can damage the liver, and so on ‐ but the skin seems to be
the most sensitive to how we treat or ignore it, and the one organ prone to
the most damage because of our own actions or inaction. Think about it ‐ if
you go without shoes on rough pavement you're going to get calluses and
even cuts on the soles of your feet; go without gloves in the winter and your
hands get not just cold but dry and cracked. There are many such examples of
how we need to protect our own skin, and how the things we do to help it can
make it that much healthier.
Understanding the basics of skin care doesn't take a degree in dermatology
but it does require a basic understanding of the composition of the skin and
its purpose and function. Just like anyone that wants to keep their car in good
shape should have a basic understanding of the functions of the different
components that are under the hood, just understanding a few things about
what makes up the skin and why it is the way it is helps when trying to take
care of it.
THE MANY FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN.
Some functions of the skin are rather obvious; it keeps all our inside stuff
inside and gives us something to sit on. But there are many other functions
that the skin provides that are necessary for our comfort and our health and
protection.
Insulation.
That the skin keeps us insulated may be somewhat obvious as well, but many
people really don't appreciate what a wonder of technology our skin is when it
comes to keeping us warm. The body generates its own heat through the
movement of the blood and oxygen inside and the friction that produces, but
the skin is what keeps that heat from just immediately dissipating. However
the skin does need to let some heat out or we would actually overheat. And
when we do get too warm for any reason sweat is produced and released
through the glands of the skin in order to keep us cool.
So the skin needs to work in order to keep heat in but not too much heat, and
to produce that sweat in cases when we are too warm. Its own internal
thermometer is one that rivals anything you would find in the most
technologically advanced HVAC system.
Gripping and slipping.
Do you know why you have fingerprints? Believe it or not, it's not so that the
police can find you if you do something wrong. Those fingerprints act as little
grippers that help us to hold anything and everything. Without prints our skin
would be so smooth that
everything would literally
slip through our fingers.
Interestingly, the skin also
acts as a protection to
keep other things from
sticking to us and injuring
us. Dust and dirt get
caught in the skin rather
than in our bloodstream or
lungs. Other elements that
would be harmful if they
came into contact with our
internal organs are not
Fingerprints keep things from literally
harmful to the skin,
slipping through our fingers; the
including sunlight. The patterns on our toes and bottom of our
human body can actually
feet do the same.
drown in only a few
tablespoons of water, which means that without our skin we would be in
danger of drowning every time it rains. So the skin helps us to hold onto some
things and then shrugs off others.
Sensation.
You may not realize it but your skin is constantly sensing and registering
feelings throughout your entire day, even when you're asleep. You don't
realize it because the brain has a way of tuning out sensations that are
constant so that you don't get overwhelmed by them ‐ people who live in high
traffic areas tune out the noise so that they don't get headaches or get
irritated by it; some who live in unkempt homes don't smell the odor since the
brain has tuned it out.
The skin needs to feel things around us so that the brain can determine if
something is a threat or not. Is that sensation up your arm just a slight breeze
or a bug that needs to be swatted away? Is that person touching you a friend
offering a hug or an enemy ready to attack? The skin also needs to help the
brain register temperatures of items such as food that's too hot or water
that's too cold. Nerve endings in the skin are necessary for our safety and
even our survival.
And of course the sensation of touch is more than just a survival instinct. We
gain much pleasure from physical touch, whether it's a hug from someone we
love, a good massage, or sexual activity. Humans need physical contact with
other humans in all forms, from the simplest touch on the shoulder to
intimacy with a partner. Without being touched physically and in a reassured
manner, babies refuse to thrive and adult humans develop all sorts of fears
and anxieties, whereas a kind and loving touch helps to actually calm a person
greatly.
COMPOSITION OF THE SKIN.
A dermatologist spends years in medical school to learn all the important
basics of skincare, and not just the things that help the skin to look good.
There are many diseases and conditions of the skin that need to be dealt with
from time to time, everything from unsightly but harmless acne to dangerous
skin cancer and rashes.
As civilians we don't need to learn everything that a dermatologist knows in
order to take good care of our skin, but a basic understanding of its
composition can go a long way toward keeping it healthy and radiant, since
not every problem we have with the skin originates from the surface.
There are three primary layers of the skin: the epidermis, which is the
outermost layer of the skin; the dermis, and the hypodermis. Our hair roots,
sweat glands and blood vessels are contained in the hypodermis or deepest
layers of the skin. The epidermis is very unique in that it has no blood vessels
but is nourished by capillaries in the dermis; this is why you can sometimes
scrape your skin or cut it and not bleed ‐ the cut needs to get deep enough to
reach those deeper layers in order to actually bleed.
One of the reasons we do well to understand the layers of our skin and how
each functions in relation to the other is because sometimes problems we
have with our skin are very deep. Clogged pores can cause acne but while we
see pores on the surface of our skin they actually reach down to the deepest
layer, which is why sometimes very mild cleansers won't tackle the problem.
The clogging element, whatever it is, is contained very deep in the skin and
needs something stronger to reach it.
The skin like so many other parts of the body is composed of mostly water.
Our hydration levels affect our skin's health greatly; being hydrated is one
main cause of wrinkles and lines, as the skin closes up on itself when it's very
dry and then those lines result. Cutting the connective tissue of the skin so
deep or so severely that it cannot heal is how we get scars. There are areas of
the body where fresh skin cells simply can't grow because the damage is so
great, and scarring results.
If you want to get a degree in dermatology then of course that's up to you but
it really isn't necessary in order to understand how to take care of the skin.
Someone that loves cars doesn't need a degree in mechanical engineering to
know how to take care of an engine, and you don't need a degree in
dermatology to learn how to take care of your skin either.
WE LOVE OUR SKIN.
Unlike other organs in the body, we
actually love the way our skin looks and
don't like skin that is unattractive to us.
As a matter of fact, we probably have
absolutely no idea what our liver or
kidneys even look like right now, but we
so easily judge ourselves and others by
the appearance of the skin! There are
even entire lines of cosmetics and other
products that are meant to not just
nourish the skin and keep it healthy but
to improve upon its appearance as well.
We love our skin and
want to keep it healthy,
The way the skin looks can belie a radiant, and blemish-free.
person's age and overall health. We
associate wrinkles and lines with those that are old and smooth, glowing skin
with a youthful person. When someone is sick or is very physically inactive
their skin tends to look somewhat sallow and pale or clammy, whereas an
active person with good blood circulation typically looks glowing and radiant.
If we're one of the lucky ones to be born with perfect skin that lasts
throughout our entire life then that's all well and good, but for many of us we
need to work very hard at keeping up the appearance of our skin.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
So what about you? Do you have perfect skin that never gives you a problem
and that seems to glow and radiate like a newborn? If so, then why are you
reading this?
Chances are you're more like the rest of us ‐ your skin leaves a little something
to be desired. Or maybe you have relatively good skin now and would like to
keep it that way and avoid as many wrinkles and blemishes as possible.
There's nothing wrong with aging, but no one wants to look old or worse yet,
older than they are!
Either way, you're in luck. Some people are born with great skin but those
people are few and far between. For everyone else, great skin happens
because they know the secrets of how to take care of it and how to keep it
glowing, fresh and radiant. Whether they realize it or not, they are probably
following a good skincare routine that keeps their appearance the best it can
be.
And it's time for you to learn those secrets too! In this book, we'll tell you:
What is contained in the composition of the skin; the more you know
about what makes up healthy skin, the more you can work to keep it
that way.
The one important thing you absolutely must do for your health overall
but for the look of your skin as well ‐ and this one may surprise you!
How diet and more importantly exercise can greatly affect the health
and appearance of your skin.
The ingredients of many skincare treatment options and whether or
not these are as helpful as they advertise or are just a simple waste of
money.
What to do about acne and other common facial blemishes.
The common mistakes that virtually everyone makes when it comes to
their cleansing and skincare routine, and how these mistakes are
making your skin look much worse than it should!
Homemade treatments and facial masks that are just as good at
improving the look and health of your skin as any professional brand.
Some people are born with great skin and of course it's easy to be jealous of
them, but for everyone else that wasn't gifted with glowing and radiant skin
this doesn't mean that you must despair. There are many things that one can
do to improve the look and health of the skin just like any other organ of the
body, and if you're ready to take control of your skincare routine so that you
can have beautiful and glowing skin, then we're ready to help!
UNDERSTANDING THE SKIN
So we've covered some basic information about the skin, but to really take
care of your skin properly you need a little bit more information about the
composition of the skin and what it needs to be healthy and radiant, and what
makes it seem so very unhealthy.
Taking care of your skin is a lot like taking care of a lawn or garden. If you
have a lawn that is brown or that has unseemly patches, then there is a
problem that needs to be taken care of. If you have a garden where the
flowers just refuse to grow or die off quickly, there is a problem. But it's
possible to have a beautiful lawn and beautiful garden if you take the time to
learn about what's needed for that grass and the flowers to grow. Whether
it's fertilizer or more water or less water, people that learn a little bit about a
yard and garden typically have something beautiful outside their house.
And so it goes with you. If you learn just a little bit about the skin and what
makes it healthy and what causes common problems, you're well on your way
to fixing those problems and having beautiful and radiant skin.
COMPOSITION OF THE SKIN.
The skin is nothing to ignore when it comes to the body's overall health. It
accounts for some 12%‐16% of your body weight and if stretched out it would
cover from 12 to 20 square feet and even more when it is stretched due to
obesity or pregnancy.
The skin is made up of about 70% water, 25% protein, 2% lipids, and the
remaining composition minerals and other trace elements.
Humans don't shed their skin the way a snake does but because humans shed
skin cells that are constantly replaced with new ones, the skin is brand new
every single month.
The outer surface of the skin, the epidermis, is comprised of hard, flattened
dead cells. Underneath this there are larger skin cells, and under this are even
more new skin cells, all of which are constantly pushing up toward the
surface. This is how we replace our skin cells constantly but it's also how most
of our body's water is lost as those cells take hydration with them, which then
evaporates.
THE LAYERS OF THE SKIN.
It's surprising how thin the layers of our skin actually are, considering the job
the skin does. Of course if the skin were any thicker than it was it couldn't
actually do that job! All our body heat would be trapped inside, causing us to
overheat and the nerve endings needed for touch wouldn't be able to reach
the outer edges of the skin ‐ not to mention how much the skin would weigh if
it were any thicker than it is!
The epidermis or
outer layer of the
skin is about as thin
as a pencil line; it is
thicker on the soles
of the feet and
palms of the hands.
The three important
parts
of
the
epidermis include a
protein
called
keratin,
melanocytes which
produce melanin, a
substance
that
protects the skin
from ultraviolet rays
and which also
determines
the
skin's color, and the Langerhans cells which intercept foreign substances and
which are part of the immune system.
There are actually four layers of the epidermis, including the top outer layer
called the corneal layer. This is made from hardened cells that form the skin's
surface; the three layers underneath this are called the stratum, the basal
layer, and squamous cells. These layers are constantly pushing up on the
uppermost layer and as they do the cells of the outer layer are shed and these
newer cells become tough and hardened as they replace these cells.
This layer produces collagen and elastin, two protein substances that are
important for skin's health. Elastin is what gives skin its stretchiness; as we
age this substance breaks down and this is what causes sagging skin that
doesn't seem to be as firm as it once was. Those that are very overweight and
obese can wear out this elastin so that their skin sags after they lose weight.
Collagen is what plumps up skin and helps to keep it soft and supple. A lack of
collagen means the skin feels dry and brittle.
ELEMENTS OF THE SKIN.
Collagen and elastin are the two elements that are very important for the
skin's appearance; collagen holds moisture in the skin and this helps not just
with the skin's appearance but with its health as well. Without this needed
moisture skin would become tough and dry. Collagen is one of the strongest
proteins in nature; the lips are made of quite a bit of collagen and this is why
they can be soft to the touch but strong enough to aid in eating.
Collagen and elastin in cosmetics and skincare products.
Browse the aisles of any cosmetics store or pharmacy and you'll see many
products that advertise the fact that they contain collagen and elastin. Since
these components are so important for skin's health you would think that they
would do wonders for a person's appearance.
In reality these substances are not able to penetrate the skin's surface in order
to do much good on a permanent basis. The skin gets its nourishment from
the layers underneath, not from the outside. The outer layers of the skin are
purposely made to be thick and tough so as to keep foreign elements out.
THE AGING SKIN.
As with so many other parts of our body, the skin's natural defenses and
processes break down as we age. This can cause all sort of imperfections and
unsightly elements.
Production of collagen.
Collagen is something that needs to be continuously renewed for skin to
maintain its soft feel and firmness. Without collagen and the moisture it holds
skin becomes dry and sags.
The production of collagen seems to break down as we age which is partly the
reason that older people have dryer skin that seems to hang from the bones.
Elastin.
Pull a rubber band back and it snaps into place. Pull it back and hold it there
for several days and it stays that way.
Elastic, whether artificial in a rubber band or the natural element in our body,
has a tendency to wear out after some time. Things can be stretched and held
for only so long before the elastin wears out completely.
Our skin is constantly stretched over our bones and other internal organs and
continues to stretch every time we move. When we bend our arms or legs,
the skin stretches.
After many decades of doing this that elastin wears out or breaks down so
that it cannot snap back into place the way it once did. Those that are
overweight or obese for many years also typically report this same problem;
even after they lose weight their skin still sags especially in the areas where
they held the most weight, such as the abdomen or thighs.
Lack of moisture.
Our body's natural oil production also seems to slow down when we age;
many who are over 40 report having dry skin for the first time in their lives.
Those oil glands stop working the way they once did and having dry skin
around the areas where there are no oil glands, including the elbows and
ankles, is a chronic problem for those getting older.
This lack of moisture is one reason why people wrinkle as they age. When the
skin is properly moisturized it is soft and supple and can easily bounce back
from impressions left on it. When skin is dry, every small crack becomes a
permanent fixture so that those dreaded laugh lines and crow's feet appear
on the face.
OTHER DAMAGING AGENTS.
Age is not the only enemy to the skin of course. Because it is constantly
exposed to the elements the skin is prone to damage from many sources; here
are a few:
The sun is one of the most damaging elements the skin faces.
Ultraviolet rays dry the skin and break down the collagen underneath
these outer layers. While many think that tanning is attractive, any
time the skin changes color this is the result of an injury on the skin.
Getting a tan from the sun is the same as burning your skin on an open
flame or heating element. Skin cells die under the harsh light of the
sun and often cannot be repaired or replaced.
Wind is another harsh element the skin faces, especially in cold winter
months. Wind causes moisture to be depleted and this in turn causes
the skin to feel dry and even become chapped and flaky. The skin often
cannot produce moisture fast enough in response to cold wind.
Chlorine and other elements also dry the skin faster than it can
reproduce this moisture. You might not think that you're exposed to
chlorine if you're not a professional swimmer but most city water
supplies are treated with chlorine as a cleaning agent. If you notice
hard water deposits in your shower then you are exposed to chlorine
on a regular basis.
Pollutants and other irritants. One of the main purposes of the skin is
to keep pollutants and irritants away from the internal organs,
however, this means that those pollutants and irritants are caught in
the skin! This is especially true for those who work or live in very
polluted environments such as in a manufacturing area.
The skin is designed to protect itself from these damaging elements but it
can't always do everything on its own and isn't meant to protect itself
completely. If you live or work in a harsh environment then you need to do
what you can to help the skin's natural barriers.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Most people think of skincare as being something that you do at night, when
you take off your makeup and then add some moisturizers and other topical
treatments.
Taking care of your skin from the outside is very important and we'll discuss in
a later section how you can do that, but as you've already learned the skin's
appearance on the outside actually begins with how it acts in the layers
underneath it. So taking care of your skin from the inside is going to be just as
important if not more so than how you care for it on the outside. Let's take a
look at some of those important aspects of taking care of the skin on the
inside.
THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION.
If the skin is made up of mostly water that should give you a clue as to how
important hydration is for proper skincare! Unfortunately many people
assume that the best way to hydrate their skin is to slather on moisturizer at
night and give very little thought as to how much hydration they're getting
from what they eat and drink.
As we've covered, the skin renews itself about once per month and as those
deeper layers push up to the surface they take water molecules with them.
This means that the main hydration for your skin is coming from underneath
its surface and that you're losing moisture from your body as a whole through
this process.
When talking about your body's health overall and how it is affected by this
loss of water through your skin, consider that every single system in your body
needs water to not just function but to be healthy. Your tissues all need
moisture for proper lubrication and a healthy environment; many of the
elements in the body that trap toxins need to be moist to do their job
properly. Water flushes these toxins out of the vital organs and helps to carry
nutrients to the cells as well.
When your skin takes this water from the body as it pushes its way up and
out, you're robbing your entire system of needed hydration.
Other factors that affect your need for water include:
Your daily activity levels. When you sweat this water is coming from
somewhere, and the more you sweat the less water you have in your
body. If you are very active and exercise regularly then of course you
need to replace that moisture as well.
Your environment. Those who live in very hot climates or who work in
hot areas are of course going to sweat more than most, so they too
need to be mindful of how much water they're losing every single day.
Certain illnesses or physical conditions. Especially if a person is
vomiting or has diarrhea or for some other reason is losing bodily fluids
will he or she need to be mindful of replacing these fluids as quickly as
possible.
When the body isn't healthy it can show on the skin; a dry system will mean
dry skin, and dry skin means dry skin flakes, wrinkles, lines, rashes, and
itchiness. By not replacing this water in your body that your skin takes you are
hurting not just your body but your skin as well.
DANGERS OF DEHYDRATION.
Needing good amounts of hydration for your overall health is one thing but
when you go without for so long that you become dehydrated, this can lead to
very serious and even deadly health consequences, including:
Heat injury is not just from when it gets hot outside but also results
when you are vigorously active but do not hydrate yourself as well.
Your muscles get warm when you're active and hydration helps to cool
them off; without adequate hydration when exercising you can suffer
from heat cramps and exhaustion.
Swelling of the brain can happen when you lose sodium with the fluid
you lose and your brain actually overreacts by pulling more water into
the cells, causing those cells to swell and even rupture. The brain
damage that results can be severe.
Seizures can actually because without adequate hydration the electrical
impulses and discharges in the brain become disorganized; these
seizures can include involuntary muscle contraction and a loss of
consciousness.
Your kidneys remove excessive fluid and some wastes from your body
but they need adequate water levels to do this. When they don't get
enough hydration the kidneys can actually fail.
When severe and not treated properly, dehydration can even lead to death.
WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK, AND WHAT TO AVOID.
Hopefully we haven't scared you with all this information about hydration,
and you may be asking just what this has to do with skincare.
Simply put, when the body is depleted of something as important as water or
fluid it will reserve what it has for the most important muscles, tissues and
organs and support those first before anything else. This means that when
you're even slightly dehydrated the body will support the brain and heart first,
as well as the major systems of the body such as the respiratory or digestive
system, and things such as your skin are taken care of last. So when you get
dehydrated your skin is likely to suffer the most. And when you hydrate
yourself the body is going to use that moisture for those important elements
and give the "leftovers" to your skin, so if you want beautiful and healthy skin
you need to be hydrated enough to support your entire health and overall
functions as your skin will be fed last.
So hydration from the inside is important; how to get it? Just drink water all
the time? Certainly water is very important and crucial to health overall, but
plain water is not the only way we get hydrated. And there are certain foods
and elements we eat that are actually detrimental to adequate hydration as
well.
What to eat and drink.
We actually get some hydration from the foods we eat, but only about 20%;
the other 80% of our hydration comes from water and other beverages.
Many fruits and vegetables have a high water percentage in their content. As
an example, most citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit), as well as
tomatoes, watermelons and apples are anywhere from 75%‐95% water.
Obviously eating a lot of these fruits will mean that you're getting a lot of
hydration.
Green leafy vegetables also have high concentrations of water; be sure your
diet includes lots of salads and fruits.
Milk and fruit juices also have high concentrations of water, as do beer and
wine.
If you really don't care for water then you might consider sports drinks but do
keep in mind that these typically have a lot of calories. Another good option is
flavored water, many varieties of which are available in most supermarkets.
You can also try sugarless drink mixes such as Crystal Light, or adding a little
bit of fruit juice to some plain water to dress it up.
What to avoid.
There are some foods that not only don't contribute to your hydration but
also take hydration from you because of how the body digests these and the
chemical reactions they cause.
As an example protein contains very high amounts of amino acids and these
require quite a bit of moisture to break down in the system. If you eat a lot of
meat you need to be mindful of replacing that fluid in your sysem.
Alcohol is a drying agent and this is true whether it's on your skin or inside
your system. When you drink alcohol it raises your blood pressure which
causes heat and hydration to be lost in your system. While beer and wine
aren't typically a problem because they only contain a smaller percentage of
alcohol, mixed drinks and cocktails or anything with a higher percentage of
alcohol may cause you to be dehydrated.
People who follow diets that are high in protein and who do not replace the
fluids they lose when digesting these items typically have very dry skin and
usually look pallid and pale. While high‐protein diets may be good for keeping
excess body weight off, it's very important to make adjustments in what you
drink and how much if you're following such a diet.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP.
Have you ever looked at someone and immediately realized that they haven't
had a good night's sleep in some time? It's amazing sometimes how easy it is
to spot someone that hasn't been sleeping well or that didn't get a good
night's sleep the night before. They usually look somewhat pale, clammy, and
downright unhealthy.
Why is this? Why does a lack of sleep affect someone in this way?
Many people think that when we're asleep our entire body is at rest but this
just isn't true. Our major systems need to work continuously for a human to
survive; the heart needs to keep beating, the lungs continue breathing, the
digestive system still breaks down and absorbs food, and so on, even when we
sleep.
However these systems do slow down quite a bit during sleep and of course
our brain has an opportunity to shut off conscious thought as well. All of our
muscles can rest from being still during sleep and the brain does not need to
process all the images and sounds and other sensations we encounter when
we're awake so it too gets quite a bit of rest during sleep. You might compare
the body during sleep to a car that is idling versus one that is running at full
speed. An idling car still is working the pistons up and down and pumping oil
and so on, but of course there is much less wear and tear on the engine than
when the car is speeding down the expressway.
Sleep means more than just a time to rest. When sleeping the body now has
time to rejuvenate and renew itself. During sleep dead cells are removed and
new cells replace them.
This is true of your skin as well. When the body is asleep any and all
rejuvenation for the skin is likely to happen. Dead skin cells are pulled away
while new ones replace them.
When you use skincare products on the face it's always recommended that
you use these at night at the very least because that's typically when they do
the most good. Moisturizers have a chance to penetrate deeply and to be
thoroughly absorbed by the skin.
STRESS AND THE SKIN.
Many people believe that there is a
connection between high levels of stress and
unhealthy looking skin. Is this true and if so,
how does this work?
High levels of stress cause all sorts of
problems for the body. When we are
stressed the body turns its attention to the
"fight or flight" response, readying itself for a
confrontation or for the need to run away. In
order to do this it diverts blood and oxygen
from other areas of the body and sends these
vital nutrients to the important leg muscles
so that they can be ready for either response.
What is the connection
between stress and
poor skin tone?
Many who are under stress report that their fingers get tingly, they experience
nausea and headaches, and may get lightheaded and dizzy. All these reactions
are because that blood and oxygen is being diverted from the fingers, the
digestive system, and even from the face and brain to those leg muscles.
Which means that it's also being diverted from the skin as well; that important
blood and healing oxygen is not being pumped as hard or as often to the skin
when we are under stress. This can cause the skin to look pallid and pale and
for it to slow down in its healing process.
The body may also react to stress by sending oil glands into overdrive; oil is a
natural protective agent for the skin and if the body feels that it is in danger
for any reason it may start turning out more oil than before. This may mean
clogged pores and acne breakouts. Or it may have the opposite reaction ‐
those oil glands don't get the proper message to produce necessary oil and
the skin may dry up. Natural moisture that is normally saved for the face may
also be diverted to other systems when under stress so the face becomes dry
and flaky.
And it's true that for most, when they are under stress they have a tendency
to squint, scowl, and frown. This means that the skin is being stretched into
those little lines that eventually wear out the elasticity of the skin and cause
permanent lines and wrinkles to form.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER.
So to take care of your skin from the inside out, all the basic advice you've
ever been given should be applied. You need to eat right, drink plenty of
fluids, and get adequate amounts of sleep.
But there is one more very important part of skin care that probably has more
to do with the skin's appearance than any of these elements combined, and
unfortunately this may be something you'd rather not hear about. Let's talk
about it next.
IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE
How many times throughout the day have you heard about the benefits of
exercise? Maybe so many times that you're just absolutely sick and tired of it
by now. If that's the case then you're probably not alone. It seems that
everywhere and anywhere we go we're bombarded with messages and
images clamoring at us to get up, get out, and get going.
And what does this have to do with skincare? Sure we all by now realize that
exercise can give us a thinner physique and better muscle tone, but how does
it affect our skin?
THE ROLE OF BLOOD AND OXYGEN.
Obviously we get the nourishment we need from the foods we eat, but have
you ever asked yourself how those necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino
acids get to all of the cells in your body that need them? We also need oxygen
in those cells for them to exist but how does the oxygen get from the lungs to
those cells?
The answer is in the blood. Blood travels to every single cell of the body and
carries with it all the nourishment those cells need along with vital oxygen.
Makeup of blood.
Blood is made up mostly of water but also contains proteins, glucose, mineral
ions, hormones, and carbon dioxide. All of these elements are necessary for
the health of all the body's cells and as the blood travels along it feeds all the
cells of the body with these things.
The blood actually provides oxygen to the cells of the body as well; red blood
cells bind to oxygen cells and they "piggyback" in the circulatory system, being
delivered to all parts of the body as well.
As a cleansing agent.
But blood also plays a vital role in removing pollutants and irritants as well.
When the body clears away dead cells and other elements in the body as part
of its cleaning process, it's actually the blood that picks up these things as
something of a "garbage collector" during its circulation. Harmful elements
are filtered or removed from the body altogether but it's the blood that
actually moves the process along.
BLOOD AND THE SKIN.
Fresh blood is vitally
important to all areas
of the body and good
blood circulation is
critically important to
the skin. Why is this?
As mentioned the
outermost layers of
skin do not have
blood vessels in them
and
get
their
nourishment
from
blood in the layers
underneath. This
blood underneath the
skin is what is
delivering
the
nourishment
and
moisture needed for
skin to be healthy and
radiant.
Want great skin? Exercise! This section
will tell you why.
BLOOD CIRCULATION AND EXERCISE.
Obviously there is some pressure that's needed in order for this blood to push
up from the bottom layers of skin to the uppermost layers. Your heart
provides much of this pressure; every time it beats it pushes the blood along
so that it can reach all of the body's extremities, including the fingers and toes
and even the skin.
But exercise is so important for your skin's health and appearance for a few
reasons.
Increased circulation.
When you are physically active your heart beats faster and harder in order to
feed the muscles and other areas of the body the necessary blood for them to
perform. Your muscles need that constant nourishment of blood but when
they're being used, even more so. You no doubt know that your heart rate
increases when you exercise.
This means that your skin is benefiting in two ways. When your heart rate
increases you are getting that needed nourishment more often. Your blood is
making more passes in the circulatory system so that nourishment is being
delivered more often. Unlike literal eating that can be damaging to your
system if you overdo it, there is no such thing as overfeeding your skin with
nourishment. Every time your blood circulates through your system that
nourishment feeds your skin as well as other parts of your body as well.
Your heart beats harder when you're physically active as well; all parts of your
body are worked when you exercise, including your heart. This means that
you have increased blood pressure but in a good way when you're physically
active. Since that blood that feeds your skin is getting pushed up from the
layers underneath this gives it an added push or boost in order to reach the
top layers of skin.
For every minute that you exercise your skin is being nourished that much
more. The added pressure it needs to reach those outermost layers is being
helped with physical activity and that nourishment is being given it as well.
When you're done exercising you may notice that your skin has a nice red
color to it; this is because of the blood reaching those outermost layers of the
skin. Of course this color fades but you can actually get a visual confirmation
of how this works and of the connection between exercise and increased
blood flow to the skin by seeing that nice color during physical activity.
Removing impurities.
Since the blood also acts as a type of garbage collector then this means that
with increased circulation you're not just feeding your skin vital nourishment
but you are also helping it to remove dead cells and other impurities that
make your skin look pallid and pale.
Exfoliating your skin from the outside to remove dead cells is a good idea but
allowing the body to do the job it's designed to do on its own is always an
even better idea. The blood works very well as a natural exfoliating agent and
increasing its circulation helps this job along.
Without this natural circulation those impurities build up over time and can
settle into the layers of the skin, leaving it pale and pallid and downright
unattractive.
OXYGEN AND THE SKIN.
We know that we need oxygen to live; going without oxygen is probably the
quickest way a person can die. Oxygen exists in the body in more places than
just the lungs; the lungs simply work to pull oxygen into the body from the
atmosphere and to filter it before the blood delivers it to all the cells in the
body. In what way is oxygen important to the skin?
As a healing property.
Keeping your skin healthy means nourishing the new skin cells but it also
means clearing away dead cells and repairing damaged cells. Doctors have
long known the importance of oxygen to healing; oxygen chambers are
sometimes used for wounds that cannot heal on their own. Oxygen is not
only needed for repairing these cells but is also depleted more rapidly when
the body is working to heal any wound or damage.
The skin is constantly being bombarded by elements in the environment
including pollution, irritants, and damaging rays from the sun. These things
are constantly hurting the skin. Oxygen is a big part of helping the skin to heal
itself; it is part of what the body needs to help repair these skin cells damaged
by the sun and atmosphere.
Blood delivers oxygen to the skin and when you exercise you're delivering that
oxygen to your skin on a regular basis. The more oxygen you deliver the more
able your skin is to repair itself.
EXERCISE AND YOUR SKIN.
The more you exercise the better your skin will be. It will be healthier and
more radiant overall. When people exercise on a regular basis they often
report that their skin looks and feels better; the blood and oxygen that you're
delivering to your skin is nothing but beneficial. It means added nourishment
on a regular basis and this "garbage collector" that picks up impurities and
dead cells is making its rounds more often and more thoroughly.
When you hear about the benefits of exercising to your health and your
physique, remember that these benefits are for your skin as well. It doesn't
always clear up acne or turn back the hands of time, but it definitely has many
benefits for the skin. So, if you want healthy skin, get on a treadmill!