Table of Contents
by Lei Velasco
Skincare: Why it Matters.
Do you know that our skin is the largest in the human body? In fact, adults carry around 8 pounds (3.6 kg) and 22 square feet (2 sq meters) of it. Our skin acts as our main line of defense against the elements, while also giving us leeway for free movement, making it one of the most versatile organs in our body.
Given its use for us, what’s even more important is making sure that it remains healthy. Healthy skin flows through from the inside out. Having well-cared for skin would have proper hydration and would have no weird or irregular sensations such as itching, burning, dryness, flakiness, and so on. Based on its appearance, you’ll know you have healthy skin if you have even color throughout and have smooth texture, sans acne, bumps, redness, and wrinkles, among many other symptoms of unhealthy skin.
The first step in caring for your skin is knowing your skin type. Here are the five main skin types and what it looks like:
- Normal: Normal skin has radiant and smooth skin with even skin tone, barely visible pores, and no significant imperfections.
- Dry: Dry skin has very little–and almost invisible–pores, but has more visible lines, red patches, and a dull complexion. The skin also feels less elastic and has a rougher texture.
- Oily: In contrast to dry skin, oily skin has large and very visible pores. There’s also more imperfections such as blackheads, pimples, and other types of skin blemishes. Having oily skin also means having a shiny yet dull-looking complexion.
- Combination: Combination skin is the most common skin type, with the skin being dry or normal in some parts and oily in some problem areas like the T-zone. Signs of this skin type would be enlarged pores, blackheads, shiny areas, as well as fine lines and some dry and red patches.
- Sensitive: Having sensitive skin means experiencing redness, dryness, burning, or itching sensations due to certain triggers–mostly consisting of skin care products with artificial chemicals and harsh ingredients.
General Skin Care Advice
One of the most important habits you need to develop is proper skincare. This can be done from what food you take in, how you treat your skin on a daily basis, as well as what products (and the ingredients they contain) you use.
Food for Glowing Skin
Having a healthy diet, in general, would definitely contribute to a skin with more vitality and vibrancy. However, there are certain food that can be downright beneficial for the skin. Here are some of the best food to take in for a healthy and more glowing skin:
- Avocadoes: Great source for Vitamin E, which promote skin vitality. Also works in reducing inflammation and boosting moisturization.
- Tomatoes: Packed with Vitamin C and major cartenoids (such as beta-carotene), which promote skin firmness and collagen production, as well as circulation.
- Salmon, Mackerel, and Other Fatty Fish: Essential fatty acids found in these food act as a natural defense against skin inflammation and help speed up the skin’s healing process.
- Dark Berries (e.g. strawberries, blueberries, acai berries): These berries contain Vitamin C, which is also known as a major antioxidant. These antioxidants eliminate toxins and free radicals in the body for a clearer and radiant skin.
- Dark Chocolate: Cocoa also contains powerful antioxidants, which can also provide protection from sun damage. Eating dark chocolate can also lead to more hydration, reducing fine lines, and improved skin texture and firmness.
- Water: Water is the cheapest and most natural source of moisture and hydration for the skin and the whole body.
Skin Dont’s
A healthy lifestyle results to a healthy skin. The same can be said for the opposite. Here are some bad habits you need to start changing and improving on in order to achieve that healthy glow from the inside out:
- Too much salt: An abundance of sodium (mostly found in processed foods) intake can mean bad news for your skin and heart. It causes fluid retention and tends to make your skin look all dried out.
- Too much sugar: Taking in too much refined sugar–that can be found in your favorite desserts, shakes, sodas, and the list goes on–tend to break down collagen and elastin in the skin. This leads to premature aging, having wrinkles and a dull complexion.
- Vices: Too much drinking and smoking promote dehydration, making your skin look all worn out and crinkled. Smoking tends to break down elastic fibers and collagen, resulting to a yellowish, wrinkled, and prone to blemishes.
Skincare Products Must-Haves and Must-Nots
An important step in landing the right products for your skin is looking at its ingredients. Here are some of the best and worst ingredients to watch out for:
- The Good: Hyaluronic acid, retinol, glycolic and lactic acid, organic essential oils and plant extracts, D-Panthenol (Vitamin B5), peptides, antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, and lycopene).
- The Bad: Parabens, sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate), formaldehyde, phthalates, triclosan, propylene glycol, synthetic colors and fragrance, toluene, and sunscreen chemicals (e.g. PABA, homosalate, benzophenone, etc)/
Common Skin Problems
It’s quite inevitable to run in with some sort of skin problem at some point in your life. The best prevention is informing yourself of its causes and immediate solutions. Here are the most common skin problems you need to be careful about:
Acne
Acne is the most common skin disorder and it manifests itself in the appearance of pimples, blackheads, nodules, and cysts. Overproduction of sebum in the skin causes the pores to clog up and once inflamed, would then lead to the appearance of blemishes.
The excess production of sebum is normally triggered by hormonal changes and use of certain skin products. Treating acne should be done immediately to prevent permanent scarring. The first level of treatment should involve using a gentle cleanser with salicylic acid that would unclog the pores. Prescription retinoid can also be used to exfoliate dead skin cells and prevent clogging of pores.
For moderate to severe acne, topical ointments and antibiotics can be used to dry up the acne but must be used in moderation or as prescribed by a physician. It’s important to not pick and prick on the skin with acne to avoid getting it more infected and resulting to scarring.
Enlarged Pores
Enlarged pores can cause major skin problems such as acne, due to the overproduction of sebum on the skin. More often than not, genetics is the main cause of large pores, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be reversed or treated.
Treatment and prevention of having large pores starts with proper cleansing of the face. Use of toners is also effective in tightening the pores and making it look smaller. Some other treatments such as masks, peels, and exfoliants also aid in eliminating dead skin cells and making the pores much firmer and tighter. Afterwards, proper moisturization is necessary to protect the skin from unwanted debris and from producing excess sebum.
Oily Skin
Oily skin can be quite an inconvenience and can be the root cause of many other skin problems. Excessive sebum production is commonly caused by oil glands going into overdrive, which starts at the onset of puberty. Sebum release is essential to keep the skin moisturized but an excess of it can lead to the appearance of blemishes.
Temporary relief from severe oiliness can be done by using blotting papers or oil absorbing sheets. But the best form of prevention is having the right cleanser that will gently normalize oil levels in your skin. Afterwards, use a toner to clean out excess sebum and to prep the skin for moisturization.
Those with oily skin should avoid using heavy and greasy creams and should only go for products that have lightweight consistency and no alcohol content. Other things to avoid include astringents, harsh soaps, heavy cosmetics, and over-cleansing, as this may irritate the skin even more.
Should you have severely oily skin, consulting a dermatologist would help in addressing possible underlying issues that may be causing it.
Dry Skin
Flaky, itchy, and scaling skin are common symptoms of having dry skin. These are usually due to several reasons such as dry air (especially during the winter season), too hot showers, and harsh chemicals in certain skincare products. When left not treated, this could lead to more serious skin problems such as red patches, eczema, psoriasis, and premature aging.
The most important form of treatment for dry skin is simply to moisturize and bring back its lost hydration. Use intensive moisturizers to help the skin recuperate. It’s advisable to apply it right after taking a shower in order to lock the moisture in.
Other means of treatment include limiting showertime and using lukewarm water, using humidifiers during winter season, and avoiding products that have harsh artificial ingredients that may only dry up and irritate the skin even more.
Fine Lines
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, causing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. But besides aging, there are other major causes of premature skin aging such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, rapid weight loss, dry skin, and poor diet, among others.
The most used approach to preventing the early appearance of fine lines is proper hydration and moisturization of the skin. Applying sunscreen to combat the effects of sun exposure is also critical and should be made part of our daily skincare regimen. Also, make sure to hydrate properly by drinking water regularly. A good diet and avoidance of vices also contribute to a younger-looking skin.
For those who really want to get rid of these fine lines, there are several procedures that can be done. This includes laser treatment, dermabrasion, skin tightening, and so on.
General Rules for Healthy Skin
In taking care of your skin, it would help to be reminded of the following general rules and tips:
- Always wear sunscreen when going out–preferably with SPF 30 or higher.
- Never ever pick and prick your skin, regardless of how tempting it may be.
- Know and understand your skin type before proceeding to purchase skincare products. Only use the ones that are suitable for your skin.
- Never forget to cleanse and moisturize after each day.
- Remember to keep yourself hydrated from the inside out by drinking water on the regular.
- Practice more caution and care when applying products on the skin surrounding your eyes.
- Exfoliate at least once a week.
- Eat food that supports and promotes a healthier skin.
- Never leave your makeup on before going to bed.
- Stop smoking and if you need to drink, just drink in moderation.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get quality sleep and rest.
Skin Care Regimen Essentials
In creating your own skincare routine, here are some must-have products you can consider including (in no particular order):
| Products | Features | Benefits | Result & How long before it shows visible result | Skin Type |
| Facial Toner | Thoroughly eliminates dirt and excess oil | Leaving skin fresh and shine-free and properly hydrated | Minimizes pores in just two weeks | For all skin types if paraben and alcohol-free |
| Facial Wash/Cleanser | Remove debris, makeup, and excess oil | Remove grime, cleansing the face and leaving it fresher and more radiant | Clearer-looking skin within two weeks or less | For all skin types |
| Moisturizer | Brings back lost moisture of the skin and locks it in | Prevents premature skin aging and makes the skin feel softer and more elastic | More supple, softer, and youthful-looking skin in about a week | Lightweight consistency for oily skin and creamier consistency for dry skin |
| Serum | Contains anti-oxidant for more intensive treatment and protection for the skin | Calms redness, prevents premature skin aging and appearance of fine lines, and makes it firmer | Immediate and noticeable results such as smoother and more radiant skin | For all skin types, but those with oily skin may have to avoid serums with thick and greasy consistency |
| Sunscreen | Protects the skin from damage due to sun exposure | Prevents premature skin aging and dryness | Youthful-looking and firmer skin in two weeks or less | For all skin types, depending on consistency |
| Face Mask | Unclog pores and remove debris, dirt, and other impurities | Tighter and smaller pores, clearer-looking skin | Firmer and brighter skin in two weeks | For all skin types, but not to be used too often by those with dry skin |
| Eye Cream | Lightens the area around the eyes, providing moisturization and alleviates puffiness | Brighter skin around the eyes and less fine lines | Lightening and firming of the skin around the eyes in two to four weeks | For all skin types |
