When you see someone with beautiful skin you notice it. It catches your eye. What makes it so noticeable? It looks hydrated, has a fresh color to it and just looks healthy as it glows. Good skin does not require makeup, but you can use makeup if you choose.It’s always nice to have options…
Did you know that skin is the biggest organ of the body?
Skin is made up of many layers, so when someone calls you thin-skinned, it’s not true! : )
Skin provides a barrier between the environment and your body. Our skin has 2 main layers: the epidermis and the dermis.
The epidermis is the outside layer which provides a barrier function that protects from:
Pathogens (like MRSA which cause antibiotic resistant infections)
Chemicals (solvents - although many are very good at getting through the lipid barrier)
Environmental damage (UV light, air pollutants)
The dermis is the structure or support of the skin and it provides nutrients to the epidermis. It is made up of protein and it is 70% of the structure of your skin.
Beautiful skin comes from genetics, a good skin care routine, and a healthy diet. It is easy to see when someone has all 3 of these things working for them, but what can you do to help yourself along?
Start with sunscreen. Repeated exposure to the sun causes wrinkles and sun spots. Wrinkles can be minimized and a dermatologist can help fade sun spots, but prevention is key, so start using sunscreen when you are young. Use one that has UVA and UVB protection- this supplies more complete protection. Photo damage occurs with repeated exposure to sunlight or tanning beds, and it breaks down the collagen and makes our skin sag.
Stop smoking. Smoking ages your skin quickly, starting by causing lines around your lips and circulatory changes that age your skin. It causes sagging in your upper arms and breast due to a loss of collagen. Crow's feet and skin cancer on the lips are more common in smokers.
Use the best skin care products you can afford and use them regularly. Many drug store brands hold up well next to the expensive brand names. Routine and consistency are queen when it comes to beautiful skin.
Clean your skin every night before bed. You don't have to use soap which can be drying to your skin surface, you can use coconut oil, micellar water or facial cleansers formulated for your type of skin.
Drink plenty of water. Drink enough water that the color of your urine is pale yellow, like the color of dilute lemonade. The amount you drink varies between people depending on age, weight, activity level to mention a few things, so go by the color of your urine.
Diet is important to skin health as well. Fruits and vegetables along with lots of water really help you skin glow. Vitamin C helps your skin on its surface to decrease wrinkles, but it also helps your skin when you eat it regularly in your diet. Cut back on sugar in your diet. Sugar can make your skin look older. This can happen when you eat too much sugar daily. Sugar is hidden in many things like flavored cold drinks (soda, Snapple, flavored coffee, flavored milk). Juices also have sugar added, so I prefer to eat the fruit rather than have the juice. Also 100% juice is concentrated so is a lot of carbohydrate in just 8 ounces (30 grams).
As you can see, skin, food and vitamins are a big topic and very important in your skin care and it’s appearance. So I am going to break it down for my next three Blog Posts and feature 3 Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Getting your vitamins and minerals from food first helps you prevent taking too much of a good thing. It is hard to overdose on food nutrients because you get full, but taking vitamins and minerals in a pill form can easily lead to too much of a good thing since they are so concentrated. Too much Vitamin A can increase the risk of a hip fracture and liver toxicity. In the form of Beta Carotene, it is less likely to become toxic since it has to be converted to be used.
In closing my take away message for you is eat healthy food, take only the supplements you need and have fun with colorful fruits and vegetables, they will make a big difference in your skin.
Ciao,
Jamie
Here is a growing tomato from my container garden on my deck this summer, tomatoes have Vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for giving your skin surface shine just like on this tomato's skin surface.
Next post: Vitamin A, food and your skin in video form
Resources for this Blog:
For media contact information (Linus Pauling Institute)
Contact Info
Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University
307 Linus Pauling Science Center
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
phone: 541-737-5075 | fax: 541-737-5077
"This link leads to a website provided by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Jamie Brown is not affiliated or endorsed by the Linus Pauling Institute or Oregon State University."
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