With the summer weather, tank tops and shorts often lead us to pay more attention to the condition of our skin. We may shave more often or be more concerned by dry flaky skin, acne, ingrown hairs, and other dermatological issues. With that in mind, I’m offering a few suggestions for basic daily skin care, and following up with suggestions for common challenges like dry or dead skin, acne, etc.
Most commercial soaps and cleansers contain harsh chemicals. If your skin is already acting up, those chemicals may actually make the situation worse, or only treat the symptoms of unhealthy skin. The cells that make up your skin are constantly renewing. Experts tells us that your skin replaces itself every three or four days, and the cells in your entire body replace themselves over the course of seven years. So whatever you put into your body– food, drink, alcohol, tobacco– that is what your body has to build new skin cells with. Unless you have a medical condition that requires pharmacological treatment from a specialist, there are several things you can do to improve your skin’s overall health:
- Drink Water! Water is a basic requirement for life, and it also serves to wash a lot of free radicals and other irritating substances out of your body. If you drink soda or coffee or energy-boosting drinks that contain caffeine, be aware that you’ll need to drink an extra glass of water to counter-act the dehydrating effects of those drinks.
- Cut back on foods that are known to contribute to acne and other irritated skin conditions. These include sugar, starch, caffeine, and anything fried. These substances actually make it difficult for your body to absorb water and good nutrients. They contribute to clogged pores and reduce the skin’s elasticity. It’s ability to recover from harsh environmental conditions.
- You’ll want to wash your face and other affected skin twice a day, and replace your pillow case and sheets at least twice a week. Look for a natural organic soap, and consider something with lavender, tea tree oil, thyme, or chamomile extract in it. These are all good for reducing inflammation of the skin, treating mild surface infections, and improving elasticity. Jojoba oil and coconut oil also have some naturally astringent properties.
- Use a non-clogging moisturizer on your skin, preferably one with at least SPF 15 in it. Sun and airborne toxins drastically reduce skin elasticity and leads to dry flaky skin that can clog pores and cause other damage. At the same time, regular exposure to sun and air often helps the skin to clear of minor infections and acne. Wearing clean clothing made of natural fibers helps the skin to breathe.
- Switch to a clothing detergent that has no perfumes or dyes. Don’t use fabric softeners, and make sure your clothing gets thoroughly rinsed of all soap residue. Skin irritation from allergies can look like dry flaky skin, or red irritated skin, or extensive acne.
- Consider using a natural deodorant, too. Anti-persperants clog pores.
Perspiration is the body’s way of excreting toxins. We need to get those toxins out of our bodies– and we don’t want to let them sit on our skin for too long. Sweating is cleansing, and showering clean after you sweat will improve your chances of preventing clogged pores or acne. The mildest deodorant is known as the crystal rock. You wet it, and apply the substance to your armpits a couple of times a day. You will still sweat, but the crystal is supposed to kill the odor-causing bacteria. I prefer Winter Clean deodorant from Nature’s Gate. It works, and it doesn’t irritate my super-sensitive skin. Whatever you use, find something unscented, or scented with essential oils. No aluminum. No added fragrances.
Find an exfoliating sponge. Use it to apply your soap in the shower, and rinse it clean after each use so no bacteria grow there between showers. The sponge, or even a washcloth or shower brush, rubs off dead skin cells. It also helps prevent clogged pores and ingrown hairs and improves circulation. Scrubbing too hard, or with strong abrasives can actually irritate and dry out your skin more. If you reduce your exposure to chemicals in your clothing and soap/shampoo, keep your skin clean and moisturized, and still have symptoms after a month– or your symptoms get worse– consider consulting a doctor or specialist. You may need professional treatment.
