The skin is the bigger organ of the body. When healthy, their layers work hard to protect us. But when it is compromised, the skin’s ability to function as an effective barrier is affected. Therefore, we have found the best ways to improve skin health to help it maintain its protective function.
With a few simple changes to your skincare routine, you can have radiant-looking skin in no time.
Your skin is the window to your body that reveals the stories of your life. From acne breakouts during adolescence to the radiant glow of pregnancy and sun spots from aging, both your age and your health are reflected in your skin.
The skin has many functions, making it the ultimate multitasker of the human body. Its most important function is to be the first line of defense between our body and the outside world, protecting us from bacteria, viruses and the pollution and chemicals we encounter in the workplace and at home.
The skin regulates body temperature, maintains fluid balance, and controls moisture loss. It also acts as a barrier and shock absorber, recognizing pain sensations to alert us to danger, and protecting us against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Many factors affect your skin. Genetics, aging, hormones and conditions such as diabetes are internal factors that affect the skin. Some of them you can’t influence, but there are many external factors that you can.
External factors such as unprotected sun exposure and washing too frequently or with water that is too hot can damage the skin. An unhealthy diet, stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, dehydration, smoking, and certain medications can affect the skin’s ability to function as an effective protective barrier.
Here are Medical News Today’s skin health tips to help you eliminate wrinkles, get a radiant glow, and keep your skin plump and soft all year round.
1. Eat a healthy diet
There is a multi-million dollar industry dedicated to products that keep skin looking its best and that aim to combat the signs of aging. But moisturizers only reach the skin and aging occurs at a deeper cellular level.
What you eat is as important as the products you put on your skin. Your diet could improve the health of your skin from the inside out, so a clear complexion starts with a healthy diet.
Healthy foods for the skin
Below are some foods that research shows are healthy for your skin.
Mangoes contain compounds with antioxidant properties. These compounds help protect skin components, such as collagen.
Tomatoes have skin cancer prevention benefits. A study in mice revealed that daily tomato consumption decreased the development of skin cancer tumors by 50 percent after exposure to ultraviolet light.
Daily consumption of tomatoes may help protect against skin cancer.
Research has shown that incorporating tomato paste into meals can help protect against sunburn. After 10 weeks, people who consumed 40 grams of tomato paste per day suffered 40 percent fewer sunburns than the control group.
Lycopene, the pigment responsible for giving tomatoes their deep red color, is thought to play a role in the protective effect of tomatoes against UV damage.
Olive oil is associated with a lower risk of severe facial photoaging, that is, cumulative skin damage including wrinkles, dark spots and discoloration, which result from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
The cocoa flavanols found in dark chocolate can improve the structure and function of the skin. Scientists found that flavanols in cocoa decreased skin roughness and peeling, increased skin hydration, and helped bolster skin’s defenses against UV damage.
Green tea has been linked to many skin benefits. Compounds found in green tea called polyphenols rejuvenate dying skin cells, suggesting they may be useful in healing wounds or certain skin conditions.
It has shown promising results as a potential treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and dandruff. Patches of dry, scaly, red skin often appear in these conditions, usually as a result of inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Green tea can slow down skin cell production and suppress inflammation.
