We are all visual creatures, and what we see defines us and our reality. Unfortunately, relying on our vision so much has made us vulnerable and an easy target for influencing. It's no accident that you see models with flawless skin in advertising. Most of them are photoshopped - wrinkles, spots, discoloration, natural face lines, and scars are being airbrushed away from the photos and videos. All this to make you crave for that ideal skin so badly, that you would buy anything.
The real question now is - can you get impeccable skin? The answer lies somewhere in between yes and no.
No, you can't have skin so smooth that looks like you've lost your facial contours, and there isn’t a pore in sight - it's biologically impossible. But, yes, you can have healthy, clear skin that glows. You can change your skin's appearance for better with good care and quality daily habits.
The Physiology Of Skin
If now you’re thinking: “I didn’t come here for biology”- we’ll make it surprisingly simple. Learning what makes the skin what it is will help you understand better how some of our daily activities and habits contribute to its appearance.
The skin is composed of three layers. The outermost layer is called "epidermis", and it consists of specific cells that are known as keratinocytes. They synthesize keratin, a long protein with a protective role. The epidermis has four or five sublayers of cells, depending on its location in the body.
The middle layer is known as the "dermis" which is made of structural protein - collagen. The dermis constitutes the majority of the skin and provides its elasticity, flexibility, and tensile strength. This layer protects the body from mechanical injuries, binds water, helps to regulate body temperature, and includes the sensory receptors.
As we mentioned, the primary component of the dermis is collagen - the structural protein typically found in tendons, ligaments, the lining of bones, and the dermis. Why is this important? Well, collagen is the major stress-resistant material in the skin. It maintains elasticity, prevents deformation and tearing of the skin.
Collagen is crucial for healthy skin, which is why it’s usually found in many skincare products. The bad news is, its production depletes after the age of 20. According to research, the person makes 1% less collagen each year. This is why, with time, our skin becomes thinner, more fragile and sensitive to damage - wrinkles, spots, or discoloration. Below we give you tips on how you can stimulate collagen production and maintain young looking skin.
The deepest, third layer is called the hypodermis or the "subcutaneous tissue." It functions as a storehouse of energy and connects the dermis with the bones and muscles.
External And Internal Factors That Influence The Skin
Internal
Genetics
We’ll start from the obvious, individual differences that give our skin its characteristics. The person's genetics determine the skin type - oily, dry, normal, or combined - and its overall condition. Additionally, genetics also determine the biological aging of our skin, like the degeneration of connective tissue, which makes the skin less firm, or the decline in cell regeneration and renewal.
Genetics are also the main culprit behind any possible predisposition to some skin conditions and diseases like psoriasis, ichthyosis, or atopic dermatitis.
Hormones
We are sure you are familiar with this part. It’s the most talked about aspect when talking about skin condition. Puberty, pregnancy, and the monthly hormonal changes due to menstruation affect our skin. Acne, melasma (hyperpigmentation) and dryness are the most common problems that arise from hormonal changes.
Stress
Stress can seriously harm the immune system, making the skin sensitive, prone to allergies, and lines around the eyes and mouth. If you are exposed to prolonged stress, expect your skin health to decrease, becoming dull and lifeless.
Sleep
Slept well last night? If not, make sure you compensate tonight. While we sleep the body regenerates and helps the skin rejuvenate. Sleep deprived individuals tend to have reduced growth and renewal of skin cells, and the healing process of tissues tends to slow down rapidly.
External
Smoking
Many research findings have linked smoking to premature skin aging and wrinkles. Some studies have also linked smoking with acne.
Drinking
Alcohol causes the blood vessels in the skin to remain dilated, which can lead to the formation of red spots.
In addition to alcohol, drinks with caffeine can stimulate acne breakouts and other skin problems. Coffee, in particular, can prevent the absorption of minerals that aid healthy skin. You can read more about this in detail here.
Diet
A healthy diet equals healthy skin. Not only does our diet affect our skin, but our overall health can be estimated by our skin's appearance. Make sure you get enough vitamin A, B, C, and E.
Medications
A lot of medications can cause dehydration, sensitivity, or allergies. Read about the side-effects, or consult with your doctor to make sure your skin problem is not caused by the meds you are taking.
Sun exposure
We need sunlight for sure! We get vitamin D from the sun. But, unfortunately, we need to be careful as well. Sunrays cause brown spots, hyperpigmentation, sunburns, and skin cancer.
Climate
Extreme temperatures, or a quick change of temperature impacts the skin's health.
Cold weather can reduce sebaceous gland secretion, and cause dryness. In hot and humid conditions, we sweat more which can make the skin more at risk of developing acne.
Environment
Spending a lot of time indoors, being exposed to dust and other invisible chemical pollutants can lead to acne, spots, and other skin problems.
Exercise
Physical activity has positive effects on skin and overall health.
Skin-care products and make-up
I know we can't imagine our life without our favorite skin-care products, lipstick, or mascara, but let's face it - some products can irritate the skin, or even cause serious inflammation processes.
Tips For Better Skin
A lot of the factors mentioned above are not in your control. There are things you can't change - for example, the climate where you live. Some countries have hard environmental conditions or high levels of pollution. That being said, there are a bunch of things you can do to protect your skin, and make it more resilient. If you are clueless about what to do and don’t know where to start, we’ll give you more than the basics.
Here are some of the most useful tips that even celebrities use!
No makeup in bed
After a wild Friday night out, still looking gorgeous, no one wants to stay up 30 minutes longer to take off their makeup. That's the biggest mistake all of us, makeup lovers are guilty of doing. “One weekend won’t hurt,” - and that may be true, but everyone knows it’s not going to be just one weekend. So no matter how late - take it off! While you sleep thinking how pretty you looked, in the morning you are going to regret it.
Your skin can pick up a lot of bacteria during sleep, and together with the makeup, they will get pushed deeper into our pores, making them clogged, which leads to acne. Little cotton pad soaked in gentle cleaner will do the trick faster than you think.
Leave the pimples alone
People with good skin don't obsess over the mirror popping their pimples. As tempting as this sounds, there is a 99% chance you will either make it red and more noticeable, or you will transfer bacteria from your fingers and nails deeper into the skin, creating the perfect conditions for another pimple to grow and later leave a scar. Instead, put some ice on it or put a little concealer to try and hide it.
Exercise regularly
Other than having to work out to get the best body shape, people exercise to sweat off toxins and get healthier skin. Studies have shown that physical activity raises blood circulation, which helps us get more vibrant and glowing skin.
Always wear sunscreen
People can’t wait for the summer season to hit again, but it’s very important to know that even if you don’t feel it, the sun rays affect your skin. In that time of the year, it is crucial to feed your skin with vitamin C and Vitamin E, which can be found in our sunscreen. As Shakira once said, “always wear sunscreen and smile.“ Well, who wouldn't want to have a skin like Shakira?
Hydrate
Our bodies are 90% water - that number says a lot! Water can help with our digestion, blood circulation, even excretion. A lot of people that have had dry and flaky skin in the past say that water was the key source to vibrant and glowing skin, not prone to wrinkles.
Natural Ingredients That Are Good For The Skin
Coconut oil
Coconut oil may have way too many saturated fats, and we should avoid it in our food, but it has amazing benefits when applied on the face. You can use coconut oil to remove makeup, to moisturize dry skin, help cleanse, and even heal wounds. It will remove the bacteria from the face and soothe inflammation.
Avocado
Your gut and skin have something in common - they both love avocado! It acts as an amazing moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated. This fruit is rich in vitamin A, D, and E. Some of the benefits include treating age spots, healing sunburns, and reducing inflammation.
Himalayan salt
The salt has anti-inflammatory properties when combined with coconut oil or raw honey. You can make amazing, ultra effective masks or scrubs to reduce breakouts and remove dead skin cells.
Aloe Vera
It’s no surprise to see aloe vera here in this list. Most people know that it’s an amazing cure when one has sunburn, but you should know it can do much, much more. The Egyptians called it “the plant of immortality.” There are a lot of studies that support the beneficial effects of aloe vera. Among other things, it’s good for dry skin, scalp problems, wounds, burns, infections, cysts, diabetes, even eczema, genital herpes, dandruff, psoriasis, and other conditions.
Colloidal Oatmeal
This ingredient is actually approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as a treatment for skin irritations. If you are confused right now, wondering if there is a difference between these colloidal oatmeals and your standard oatmeals from breakfast earlier today - there is! Colloidal oatmeal is manufactured with the bran, while in regular oatmeal is usually removed to improve the taste. Oats contain lipids, beta glucan, and antioxidant molecules, which are finely processed in colloidal oatmeal to allow the skin to absorb them better. The benefits include prevention of dryness and irritation, and deep skin moisturizing that maintains the skin’s firmness and reduces redness and itchiness. Oatmeal masks are part of some of the most effective homemade remedies for clear skin.
Raw Honey
Filled with vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients, raw honey is a perfect ingredient to include in your home skin-care routine. There are so many benefits associated with raw honey - its moisturizing properties, its effectiveness in reducing acne outbreaks, fighting allergies and rashes, helping reduce scars, and more. Just remember, most jars of honey that you see in grocery stores are already processed, which means a lot of the nutrients are lost. Do your research and find a local shop that sells raw, unpasteurized honey.
Chamomile extract
The super herb famous for its anti-inflammatory properties is amazing when it comes to pampering sensitive skin. It’s believed that it contains chemicals that reduce swelling and cause relaxation. You can use this relaxing tea topically, in order to get all the benefits directly on the skin. After application, you will notice a soothing and calming sensation. The whole procedure is really simple, actually. Grab one tea bag of chamomile tea and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes in boiling water. After that, leave the tea to cool down for half an hour in a room temperature. If you have a chamomile extract, than just pour a few drops directly on your face and use a cotton pad to massage it on your face. The results will be amazing.
Coffee
We mentioned earlier in the text that drinking coffee is bad for the skin. This is still true, but now we are talking about applying coffee as a paste on the skin. For example, combine it with almond oil to make a smooth paste and massage it gently on the face. The caffeine dilates the blood vessels, which increase circulation. The antioxidants in the coffee help the skin release toxins and replenish its natural glow.
Home Remedies For Flawless Skin
Are you tired of listening to that pharmaceutical sales person telling you that you need to buy their super expensive product in order to have the flawless and glowing skin you have always wanted? Don't waste your money. You have everything you need in your fridge!
Up until now, we've learned a lot about healthy ingredients and how to use them to improve our skin condition. Well, here you have some of the most used home remedies you can make it yourself within minutes.
Soft Avocado Mask
During the winter period, dryness is the most common skin problem.
If you want to freshen up your face and make it softer, try the mask from avocado - the most frequently recommended ingredient for dry skin.
To prepare this you will need 1 big boiled carrot, half an avocado and 1 small spoon of olive oil. Once the carrot is cooked, mix it together with the avocado, then add the oil. After everything is mixed together, you will get a dense blend. Apply the blend to a washed and dry skin and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash after with warm water.
Pumpkin paste for oily skin
How many of you are struggling with oily skin and the blackheads that accompany it? We all know what a nightmare they can be. Don't despair - there is some hope after all. With the right mixture of ingredients, you can fix that! And what better than pumpkin? Pumpkin is rich in zinc, which controls the greasiness of the skin and helps in reducing the visibility of acne blisters. Pumpkin also provides gentle exfoliation, without using abrasive particles.
For this powerful remedy, you will need 2 big spoons of minced pumpkin, 1 spoon of honey, and 1 spoon of freshly squeezed lemon. Mix the ingredients and you are done!
Wash your face before using the mask. On clean skin, apply a thin layer of the mixture, avoiding the area around the eyes. Leave the mask to work for 15-20 minutes, and wash your face after using warm water.
Anti-stress mask
Nowadays we all live a fast life, with no time to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea - not to mention the anxiety that comes with that fast pace. The daily stress we experience is affecting our whole organism, including the look of our skin. This homemade mask can be just the right thing you need to fight the tension away. It is so simple, so cheap, and yet so effective. All you need is one small spoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, one egg white, and one small spoon of coconut oil. That's it! Mix them together until you get a solid, smooth paste. Apply the mask and let it act from 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it up with chamomile tea or warm water.
Everyday Habits Of People With Good Skin
There are times in our lives when we meet “that friend” who has the perfect skin, and when asked how they achieve that, they’ll go: ”Oh, I’m not doing anything!” Well, guess what? NOT TRUE!
It would be fantastic if we all had the perfect body size or perfect hair, and most of all the perfect skin, without having to perform any upkeep. Life is not like that. You may have been blessed with good genes, but our skin definitely needs to be taken care of - on a daily basis.
It may sound surprising, but studies show that people who have good skin tend to have the same, daily habits when it comes to their skincare. Try to make them your habits as well.
- Sleep eight hours. It’s not called “beauty sleep” for nothing.
- Stay hydrated, your skin wants it. Drink around 2 liters of water every day.
- Never go to bed with makeup on.
- Do facial massages every day. They help maintain the skin healthy and glowy.
- Disinfect your phone frequently with sanitizer.
- Don’t touch your face, and never pop your pimples.
- Change your pillowcase every couple of days.
- If you use a bath sponge, then change it every month. Also, always leave it in a place where it can dry out completely.
- Talking about baths, keep your towels dry and wash them frequently. Use separate towels for body and face.
- We said exercising is good, but it won’t work if you let the sweat dry out on you. Always take a shower immediately after a workout.
Conclusion
Now you have everything you need to start your journey toward better looking, glowy skin. Take into consideration the factors that affect our skin condition. How many of them are affecting your skin? Can you do something about it? Use all this information to your benefit. Start by changing a few little things, and see how it will make you feel. It’s important to be persistent and not give up - your skin deserves it.
