It may well surprise you to discover that your skin is the largest organ in your body. Think about it, it covers your body from head to toe and is plays a major role in defending your body. So this means you need to keep your skin nice and clean so that it can function correctly.
Your skin never sleeps and is constantly protecting you 24 hours a day. When your body comes into contact with infections it’s often your skin that’s the first line of defense. Also, taking proper care of your skin will ensure it stays looking healthy and youthful for years to come.
When we think about personal hygiene it’s often from the point of view of preventing us from stinking. However cleaning our bodies should be more than just getting rid of nasty smells. Skin is the largest organ in your body and it’s also the organ that’s exposed to the elements and therefore more vulnerable. Here are some easy tips for you to follow.
Keep it simple – there’s no need to be using incredibly expensive products with fancy sounding ingredients. A gentle cleaner or soap is a great way to begin your cleansing regime.
Start early – when you’re young you tend to think there’s no need to worry about cleansing your skin however you’ll find the earlier you start the better your skin will get as the years pass by. You will certainly reap the benefits.
Use mild soap – always look for a mild soap with a neutral pH. You certainly want to stay away from soaps that use strong chemicals (carbolic soap is a no-no!). Also try and stay away from scented soaps as these can often include irritating ingredients
Use lukewarm water – You should never use water that’s too hot because you can dehydrate your skin and generally cause damage. Rinsing your skin with cold water is OK because it can help shrink your pores (especially helpful if you have acne.)
Be gentle – No matter what skin type you have, you should always be careful with your skin. You certainly want to avoid damaging your delicate skin as this can cause problems such as premature wrinkling. Be particularly careful when exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating is a great way of getting rid of dead skin cells but not if you’re harsh about it.
A toner is good - using a toner can help get rid of dirt and bacteria your skin cleanser missed out. You can have a look for ones with alpha hydroxy acids and glycolic in it. But stay away from anything that contains alcohol or are photosensitive.
Use a moisturiser – a moisturiser can really help ensure you don’t lose too much water out of your skin. There are many ingredients that work great to moisturise your skin including Aloe Vera and vitamin E. You can by vitamin E in capsule form then break the capsule open and apply it to your skin. This is especially great underneath your eyes if they’re feeling sensitive. The skin around your eyes will also show the signs of ageing quicker so say particular attention to it.
It’s really not difficult to care for your skin as long as you follow some basic guidelines like the ones above.