4 Steps to Thank Your Healthy Skin

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It’s the season of giving thanks. As the year nears a close, we often find ourselves in a state of reflection. We take a look back on the year, while looking ahead and plotting the best steps to move forward and improve upon how we’ve got to where we are at present day.

Often, we look at things like financial stability, personal accomplishment, relationships and how we engage with the people around us. While these are important, take a moment to reflect on how well you’re taking care of you. We’re talking beyond material passion, fiscal wealth and making family and friends happy entities, and it's more than mental health breaks and annual checkups at your primary care physician. We’re talking about the piece of you that is most evidently you–your skin. Give thanks for your body’s largest organ. Without it, trying to sort out everything else in your life is just not possible. 

So, in the spirit of giving thanks to that skin of yours, let’s look at four ways you can keep it strong, healthy and vibrant.

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

This should probably be a piece of the puzzle for your day-to-day personal upkeep to begin with. From the vantage point of skin health, consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins such as chicken and fish will help maintain oil levels and cleanliness of your skin’s pores. Omega-3 fatty acids are also good for pliability and hydration levels.

2. Don’t Smoke

This is pretty self-explanatory here. While many “health” studies can argue a case from a myriad of vantage points, there’s never been a study that suggests smoking is good for you. Literally, there has not been one...ever. It’s bad. Smoking dryies your skin out, discolors it, heightens your chances of developing skin cancer (as well as other cancers) and, in general, offers nothing positive at all.

3. Be Cognizant of Cleansing

It might seem strange, but bathing or showering a lot can actually wash away the essential oils skin needs to thrive. Same is true with using fancy soaps loaded with fragrances. Like treats, use these soaps in moderation. When your client is done cleansing, have them blot dry instead of the common “wipe” method. This will help them retain vital nourishment. In addition, moisturize. For an added bonus, use a moisturizer that contains SPF, because SPF is your BFF when it comes to skin health.

4. Protect Skin from UV Radiation

Speaking of SPF, UV radiation is the most common cause of skin cancer. We’re subjected to it each and every day regardless of how bright the sun is shining. UV knows no bounds. Use products with SPF such as the aforementioned moisturizer as well as lip balm, lipstick and other beauty products that contain SPF. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen. Don’t become a negative diagnosis statistic; be proactive and remain a positive one.

Giving thanks to your skin and maintaining proper skin care tactics and routines isn’t hard, it just needs to be acted upon. It’s never too late. Start today, continue tomorrow. Protect the skin you’re in.

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