Save our skin

Is your skin looking as young and healthy as you would like? What factors adversely affect the skin and how do we minimize the damage? Many aspects of lifestyle, including stress, cigarette smoking, and too much sun exposure – hello! – or ultraviolet tanning may lead to premature aging of the skin. Nutritional and lifestyle factors come into play when considering healthy skin.

But first, what is the skin’s role in the human body?

The skin is the largest organ, acting as a protective covering, a sensing organ, an oil producer, and an important organ of elimination. Through regular evaporation and perspiration, the skin can clear all kinds of toxins to help maintain internal balance. But the skin must be well nourished to stay healthy. It needs good circulation through its millions of tiny capillaries, good nerve function, and a ready supply of nutrients to aid its rapid growth.

The skin’s surface is the intermediary between the external and internal environments and reflects the health of the underlying organs and the internal body function. The skin, tongue surface, eye tissue and hair quality all reflect an individual’s general health.

Water

Drinking adequate amounts of water may be the single most important factor in healthy skin and good eliminative functions. Two liters (about 8 cups) per day is the suggested average but this will vary for different individuals according to a number of factors such as water content in the diet, activity level, environmental conditions and bowel function. Water helps carry nutrients through the body and flushes out toxins. It is best to drink regularly upon awakening, between meals up to about a half hour before eating, and of course, whenever thirsty. Water is the best liquid for us, followed by herbal teas, fresh squeezed diluted juices, and mineral water. Caffeinated beverages, sugary drinks (especially soft drinks) are to be avoided.

Ultraviolet light

Ultraviolet light is known to be damaging to the skin and results in more rapid aging and dryness of the skin. This knowledge must be balanced with the fact that sun exposure is a necessity for natural vitamin D absorption. Excessive ultraviolet light exposure can eventually reduce skin elasticity and tone. This, along with dehydration and nutritional deficiencies may lead to rapid skin aging.

Beauty products

Skin care with moisturizing and beauty products also requires a fine balance between nurturance and chemical exposure. Check the ingredients before buying, paying particular attention to phthalates and parabens. Also be aware that many commercial sunscreens contain damaging and carcinogenic chemicals (parabens, oxybenzone, PABA, and even titanium oxide or zinc oxide) that should be avoided. Beauty creams with aloe vera, clay packs, herbal wraps, honey or egg white facials, and dry-brushing are some way to clean, detoxify, and nurture the epidermis. Saunas and sweating also help in clearing impurities through the skin. Herbal facials and steams are great for opening and cleansing the pores.

Diet

The diet that supports healthy skin includes high-nutrient, high-water-content foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Not coincidentally, this is what our entire body requires: fresh fruits eaten alone in the morning and vegetable salads at lunch or dinner; cooked vegetables with proteins or starches – especially in winter! – are also recommended.

Good fats

The essential fatty acids found in the vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts are also necessary to nourish the skin and keep the texture and vitality strong. Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil are some of the best sources of essential fats. Olive oil is stable to moderate heat; flaxseed oil should only be used uncooked. Avocados, a good source of healthy fats, lock moisture in the skin.

And then there is wonderful coconut oil. Coconut oil can improve the moisture and lipid content of the skin and can be very protective against hair damage. Studies show coconut oil is an effective sunscreen, blocking 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Topical coconut oil also provides skin protection against sun and wind, something that will be most helpful on these bright, cold winter days.