It’s not just ‘the largest organ of our body, covering its entire external surface’.
In fact, a large portion of what truly defines it is the role it plays within it. The way it makes us feel, the way it makes us what we are. Skin is not just about skin-deep beauty. In many cases, it’s part of our very identity.
Sometimes, we feel good about the skin we are in. At times, not so much.
Skin can be very perceptive and intuitive. One of the first signs of a weather change is captured by your skin - be it the oily, sweaty skin of the summer or the rough and dry skin of the winter. It talks to us.
Skin plays a pivotal role in how we feel about ourselves - and how we present ourselves to the world.
Skin has protective properties that protect us from external pollutants and harmful micro-organisms. It’s like that protective sister, always looking out for us.
Our skin can express not just external appearance but indicate our overall health and well-being too. In light of its role in our body - and our life - it is important to practice proper skin care, so that our skin can help us feel and live better.
After all it is to us and all it does for us, we should do that right away, shouldn’t we? Read on.
Role of skin
The skin, our body’s largest organ, is protected by the outermost layer called the epidermis.
It is made up of flattened dead cells attached together to form a tough layer of keratin mixed with lipids, that support the skin's ability to retain moisture, elasticity, and barrier function. The skin's protective barrier qualities are preserved by factors such as water content, humidity, pH, intracellular lipids, and shedding rates of skin cells.
The barrier can be damaged by hand hygiene methods like scrubbing, which can lead to other problems like dryness, irritation, and cracking of the skin. The skin is the main layer that separates the body from its environment. It controls both body temperature and the amount of water let out into the surroundings.
The skin is considered our first line of defense against the external environment due to its constant exposure to oxidants, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation and other environmental pollutants.
It is thought that the effects of oxidative damage to the skin lead to the development or aggravation of acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and premature skin aging.
Skin care for skin health
Skin care practices are those that support the preservation of the skin's structural and functional integrity and thus achieve good skin health. Maintaining clean, balanced, protected, and irritation-free skin is the main goal of routine skin care.
You may incorporate a simple regimen including gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from UV rays as your skin care routine.
Common skin care practices involve bathing with or without cleansing products and using leave-on skin care products like creams, lotions, and ointments. Skin care is necessary for personal hygiene and well-being since unclean skin promotes the spread of harmful microorganisms and diseases.
Daily skin care improves skin elasticity, smoothness, and regeneration; thus, the condition of the skin is momentarily altered.
Handwashing - is it good or bad for skin health?
Washing your hands is usually a cleansing step in skin care. Many studies have shown that handwashing reduces the risk of infections.
Although antimicrobial drug-containing products are more effective at killing harmful microorganisms than plain soaps, the increased use of these agents has sparked worries about the emergence of bacterial strains that are resistant to antiseptic ingredients like triclosan.
Since some of the skin's antibacterial properties are linked to its normally acidic pH, long-term pH changes brought on by handwashing may be a cause for concern.
Among all substances regularly applied to the skin, soaps and detergents have been identified as the most harmful. After each washing, the skin undergoes extensive changes, most of which are temporary.
You should wash your hands to clean them and prevent infections, but if you are someone who works in healthcare, where frequent handwashing may be needed, you need to be careful not to overdo it.
Excessive handwashing can lead to prolonged alterations in the skin that may further lead to long-term harm, skin problems like irritant contact dermatitis and eczema, and simultaneous changes in the skin microbiota (bacteria and other microorganisms that live on the skin).
Impact of skin care on physical health
Your skin acts as a barrier to keep harmful microorganisms like viruses and bacteria out of your body and thus protects your internal organs. A compromised skin, resulting from changes in the skin’s pH, microbiota, and barrier, or from skin injuries or diseases, may lead to various health problems.
Sun protection is essential because photoaging, or damage from the sun, can result in wrinkles, lines, brown spots, dry skin, and even skin cancer. Your skin's tone, texture, and contour can also change over time due to regular stressors and exposures.
Studies have suggested that the skin’s microbiota boosts our immune system to fight infections and help us to remain healthy. Sunlight is converted to vitamin D in the skin, and vitamin D is crucial for bone health.
Having a proper skin care routine and avoiding practices that may alter the skin can help boost our physical health. Skin care involves the use of many cosmetics and personal care products. But, do you know that these products can do more harm than good?
Effect of cosmetics and personal care products on the skin
Most of us use many cosmetics and personal care products daily. Although the ingredients present in these products are known to be regulated, continuous exposure to these products, in the long run, may produce unwanted effects.
These products contain various ingredients obtained from different sources and their prolonged use may give rise to a ‘Cocktail effect’, due to the "additive effect" of the same chemicals being present in multiple products as well as the “mutually beneficial relationship” of various compounds.
Fragrance compounds may give rise to skin sensitivity, irritation, and allergies. Preservatives like parabens have been known to be endocrine disruptors and may also produce cancers of the breast and ovaries.
Petrolatum, also known as paraffinum liquidum, paraffin, vaseline, or mineral oil, is a common ingredient in cosmetics, although its use has certain serious health hazards, particularly due to the possibility of impurities.
Skin conditions like rashes and contact dermatitis may result due to the skin’s contact with an offending substance.
It may be brought on by an allergic reaction or just everyday irritation from things like harsh cleansers, detergents, and nail polish. Some drugs, like topical antibiotics and anesthetics, might cause this kind of rash suddenly.
Impact of skin care on psychological well-being
Who does not want to look good? External appearance is the first thing that is noticed and everyone, especially women, wants to constantly improve their external appearance and look beautiful. Studies have shown skin care promotes mental health and self-esteem.
Skin care has been shown to influence emotional and psychological status. People who use facial and full body massages have been found to have higher personal self-esteem. It has been discovered that esthetic massage has a sedative impact on the body and mind.
Daily encouragement is crucial for lowering day-to-day stress. Finding time for oneself might be challenging at times due to the demands of daily life, but spending time on skin care allows us to refocus for a brief time and can thus provide encouragement to carry on in life.
Skin care as preventive care
Skin care works towards maintaining your skin health – and overall health. Since the skin protects us from environmental pollutants and infections, taking good care of your skin will act as a preventive care towards achieving good health.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends understanding your skin type, choosing skin care products specific to your skin type, wearing sunscreen daily, using mild skin care products and getting regular skin checks to rule out diseases like skin cancer.
Having a proper skin care routine can offer many long-term benefits like:
- Enhance and preserve skin health for a youthful appearance
- Infection prevention
- Promoting mental health and self-esteem
- Maintaining overall health
Conclusion
Your skin is the best companion your body can have. It protects you from environmental pollutants and infections. It plays a vital role in your overall well-being. In many ways, it defines not just your beauty, but your very identity – it plays a role in how you feel, how you express, how you live. And it needs care and love (pretty much like us, we guess).
Skin care practices are key to achieving good skin health. Common skin care practices include cleansing, moisturizing and using sun protection. However, you should not overdo cleansing as it can hamper the skin’s protective barrier.
Skin care also influences your psychological well-being and can be the ideal antidote to the daily stressors in life. Establishing a proper skin care routine and using skin care products specific to your skin type are vital to achieving skin health.
Love your health? Love your skin.;
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