We usually think about skin in terms of what we can put on top of it (like a juicy toner-serum-moisturizer sandwich). But just as important as curating the perfect skin care routine is thinking about your face in terms of skin health. As the largest organ of our bodies, skin is impacted by general health as much as our lungs, brain or heart.
“The human body generally functions in a synergistic and integrated fashion, and therefore imbalances can sometimes manifest in the skin,” says Dr. BeiBei Du-Harpur, a dermatologist and skin researcher based in London. Taking a holistic approach to your routine can go a long way toward clearing your complexion. To kick off the new year on a glowing note, here are five surprising facts that will help you practice healthier skin habits.
- Your quick grocery run can trigger hours of delayed sun damage.
We all know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen year-round, but it sometimes feels like overkill on rainy winter days. Spoiler alert: It’s still a necessary step. Even brief contact between UV rays and unprotected skin can cause more serious, lasting consequences than you might think. Research shows that UV light has been shown to trigger permanent DNA damage that continues to develop even after you’re no longer exposed. “The sun may stop, but damage doesn’t, so perpetual protection is key,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Next time you run a quick errand—or sit in front of a window while working from home—do it with a sufficient layer of your favorite broad-spectrum SPF applied. Dr. Gohara also recommends using an antioxidant (like a vitamin-C serum; try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic) to further mitigate the damaging effects of free radicals from UV rays.
- Your skin type may not stay the same forever.
You’ve done all the work of figuring out your skin type, but here’s a quick heads-up that things change. Whether your face is oily, dry or a combination of both, Dr. Gohara says these categories can shift based on factors including cumulative UV exposure, pollution, menopause or glycosylation (the collagen breakdown that occurs when you eat too much sugar).
Read full story on dermstore.com
Also Read: How Do Clay Masks Work? We Asked an Expert
