Skin care: tips for healthy skin 

Looking after the skin is important, for adults, babies and children. Healthy skin means fewer skin conditions and a youthful-looking appearance. 

There are many types of products on the market to help care for your skin. From collagen creams to products that promise to restore the skin’s youthful appearance to night oils that work while you are asleep – how do you choose which is best? This article gives advice on the best way to look after your skin, both on your face and on your body. 

Understanding your skin type, using skin care products regularly and knowing which is suitable for you will ensure your skin stays in perfect condition. 

Skin care: what is it? 

Skin care is the process of looking after your skin, not just from a beauty point of view, but also to avoid health problems such as dermatitis or eczema. These conditions can be extremely painful and unpleasant and affect your daily life. 

Science has studied skin care for many years and taking care of your skin is essential for optimum health [1.1].

4 good reasons to care for your skin are: 

1. to protect against harmful UV rays  [2.1]
2. to keep skin elastic and looking young 
3. to make you feel good 

Whilst many people cleanse their face at the end of the day to remove makeup and grime, there are other ways to care for your and your family’s skin. This includes caring for the skin on your body which is the largest organ you have. 

Babies and children need extra skin protection especially when they are outdoors. It’s important to remember that the sun can burn the skin even on a cloudy day so they should always wear sunscreen with a suitable SPF (sun protection factor) when outside  [2.1]. 

Babies also need skin protection to prevent nappy rash, which can be very uncomfortable for them. An ointment such as Bepanthen® Protective Baby Ointment is suitable for both treating and preventing nappy rash. 

Teenagers should also adopt a regular skin care routine as they can be prone to acne during puberty  [3.1]. This can affect their confidence in terms of going out and mixing with others. 

How to take care of your skin? 

Taking care of your skin helps it to rejuvenate [4,1]. Your skin care routine should be a regular habit, just like brushing your teeth or having a shower. Our skin gets dirty every day, whether we travel or stay at home. 

Facial skincare is traditionally carried out by women who want to try and slow down the ageing process. Many beauty products contain hyaluronic acid, which can make the skin more supple and helps it hydrate. 

Men’s skincare is becoming more high profile as men are more aware of the importance of a regular skincare routine than in the past. Supermarket and pharmacy shelves are full of creams and cleansers for men, which have just as many benefits as those for women. 

As well as using skincare products to improve and protect your skin there are a few simple ways to look after it and keep it blemish-free: 

• drink plenty of water  [2.3]
• get enough sleep  [2.4]
• eat a healthy diet
• don´t smoke – it causes fine lines and a yellow appearance [1.3]
• exercise regularly which draws oxygen into the skin [5.1]
• don’t use harsh products (perfumes, soaps, cooling products) – these can be full of chemicals, strip the skin of its natural oil and irritate [1.4]
• always wear sunscreen, – apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring – choose a facial moisturiser with sun protection [2.1]
• make sure you get enough vitamin D which comes from natural sunlight  [2.5]. 

Another way to care for your skin is to be aware of your stress levels [1.5]. There aren´t many of us that live a totally stress-free life and if you have sensitive skin, stress could affect it. Eczema and other skin conditions can be aggravated by stress. If you think you have a skin condition you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. 

Caring for acne-prone skin is extremely important as it can get worse rapidly if ignored and cause life-long scars [3.2]. Acne is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance [3.3]. If you have a teenager with acne or suffer yourself (due to your menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause) [3.4] get into the habit of a daily skin care routine and you should start to notice a difference. 

Regular cleansing is the base of the routine [2.6]; however, you need to understand what kind of acne is present to address the problems, which is why it is a good idea to see a doctor if this appears to be a long-term condition [3.5].

There are two forms of acne, and it is important to get a correct diagnosis [8.1]: 

• acne vulgaris
• acne rosacea

A popular topical treatment for acne is niacinamide [9.1], can be bought over the counter, but it is advisable to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking this treatment. 

Best steps for your skin care routine 

 An effective skin care routine for the face should include: 

• washing with a facial cleanser or soap and water
• using a toner to calm the skin and remove any residue from the cleanser
• applying moisturisers according to your skin type (dry, oily, normal) [2.7]
• applying an eye cream to care for the delicate skin in this zone
• using a serum  [7.1]

In addition to this routine, you should use an exfoliator [7.2]. Exfoliating scrubs the skin with a gentle abrasive and will get rid of all the dead cells and leave your skin with a healthy glow. 

Don’t forget to moisturise your lips too, especially in winter as they can become dry and chapped [10.1]. A lip balm or lipstick will ensure you have good skin on your lips . 

Washing your face when you get up in the morning is as important as night-time cleansing, as dirt can build up during the night. Always pat your skin dry gently with a clean towel. Never rub as this can damage the cells [1.6]. 

Caring for the skin on your body is as important as that on your face. Treat yourself to the luxury of a warm bubble bath occasionally (not too often as your skin will dry out). This will completely cleanse and relax you. Don’t stay in the bath too long as you’ll end up with wrinkles and your skin will dry out. Afterwards, pamper yourself with a quality body lotion or oil that will moisturise the whole of your body. 

It’s also important to shower after exercise to prevent pores from becoming blocked which can cause prickly heat (an irritating rash that can appear anywhere on the body due to trapped sweat). 

Giving your skin the luxury of a treatment such as a facial occasionally will work wonders for its appearance and your wellness. There are many kinds of facial treatments available, from deep cleansing to massage and steaming. These are just as important for men as for women.

Different skin care for different skin types 

Understanding the type of skin you have will help you decide which are the best products to use. The five main different skin types are: 

• oily – feels greasy and more prone to spots and acne [10.1]
• dry – feels tight, looks dull and can be itchy [10.2]
• normal – neither oily nor dry [10.3]
• combination – a mixture of oily and dry [10.4]
• sensitive – affected by irritants such as creams, oils or washing powder [10.5]

You are probably aware of the kind of skin you have, and you may find you have a mixture of the above, depending on the area of the body. For example, you could have an oily forehead (often caused by a fringe and dry elbows). The secret to caring for different skin types is to use the correct product on the right part of the body.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Sources 

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237 - 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6
2. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/11/keep-your-skin-healthy - 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7
3. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/what-is-acne - 1 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/skin-care - 1
5. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/exercise - 1
6. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-benefits-of-vitamin-c-for-skin
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-types-care - 1 , 2 , 3
8. https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/acne.html - 1
9. https://www.acnesupport.org.uk/treatment/niacinamid/ - 1
10. https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/natural-cures/5-tips-and-home-remedies-to-avoid-dry-lips-in-winter-season/ -1
11. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/whats-your-skin-type - 1 , 2 ,3 ,4 ,5