SKIN - Our largest organ on human body

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SKIN

Skin is the largest organ on human’s body, made up of several different components, including water, protein, lipids, and different minerals and chemicals. When healthy, its layers work hard to protect us. But when it’s compromised, the skin’s ability to work as an effective barrier is impaired. We have therefore found the best ways to improve skin health to support it in maintaining its protective role. Throughout life, skin will change constantly, for better or worse. In fact, skin will regenerate itself approximately every 27 days. But what exactly does it mean to have healthy skin? According to Dr. Zein Obagi, he was first introduced the definition of skin health in 1983 and expanded it in 2008. His definition provides specific, easily recognized physiological, histological, and clinical attributes that can be represented by the skin of a baby as a model for healthy skin. Most defining characteristic of healthy skin, is the same defining characteristic of a healthy body which is the ability to fight injury and disease quickly and effectively. Healthy skin can be achieved by practicing skincare routine, having healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Graph 1: Size of the global skincare market from 2012 to 2025

Practicing skincare routine can enhance healthy skin conditions. A graph shows estimated size of the global skincare market from 2012 to 2025. By 2025, the global skin care market is estimated to be 189.3 billion U.S. dollars. The skin care industry has witnessed a movement from demand from older consumers to a growing younger consumer base (Shahbandeh, 2020). This shows that people nowadays more concern about their skin conditions regardless their age. Good skincare can help delay natural aging and prevent various skin problems. The basic steps of a skincare routine are a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen depending on our skin type (Newsom, 2019). How about the others skincare product such as exfoliate, toner, serum, essence, eye cream and mask? Is it important? It is just optional, based on our skin concern. If you have issue, then you have option to add on the others skincare.

Image 1: A 69-year-old man who drove a delivery truck for 28 years shows damaged skin on the left side of his face.

Use cleanser as a step one of an easy skincare routine because cleanser help to wash off the dirt, environmental pollutants, makeup, excess oil, dead skin cells, and environmental impurities that end up on your face naturally throughout the day. Wash twice a day to avoid clogged pores, acne, and dullness (Molvar, 2020).  Next, moisturizer will help keep the skin’s protective barrier hydrated by seal in moisture to hydrate, preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin and our skin feel smooth and soft. Daily and consistent sunscreen use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, solar acne and cancer skin (Molvar, 2020). Image 1 published by New England Journal of Medicine shows a clear picture of what type of damage the sun can cause a person's skin so do not leaving the house without apply sunscreen every 2 hours. 

Next, a healthy diet also can affect our skin condition. Wonderful skin begins with sustenance from inside. According to the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, a healthy diet has a strong relationship with our skin conditions. Eating fruit and vegetables, and limit intake of sugars can lead to healthier skin. Fruit and vegetables are rich with antioxidants and vitamins that help to protect our skin from sun damage and free radicals (Heller, 2006). Free radicals are formed by sun exposure and it can damage the membrane of skin cells as well as the DNA of our cell. The presence of antioxidant is to prevent our cell from any damage. Other than that, smoke, pollution, and sunlight can cause wrinkles and age spot appearance. It is suggested to eat fruits and vegetables for at least five portions a day. There are many choices of antioxidant foods such as broccoli, carrots, blackberries, and strawberries. Moreover, for a balanced diet, the percentage of sugar should be less than 10% of our total energy intake (World Health Organization, 2020). Sugar consumption can stimulate insulin production which can increase oil and acne production. This occurred because the over-production of insulin also affects sebum oil production. It can cause clogged pores and breakout of acne. The amount of insulin, oil and acne production can be controlled if the sugar is consumed in moderation

Exercise regularly also can improve our skin health as it help to keep our body’s largest organ feeling and looking healthier. According to Dr. Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist in New York, keeping a regular fitness routine can improve overall appearance of our skin (Tschinkel,2019). Exercise help strengthen and tone our muscles beneath skin which provide stronger support and make them look more firmer and elastic. It also help in production of collagen that prevent the form of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. Moreover, exercise can improved the blood circulation to the skin surface. This help to supply oxygen and nutrient to the skin which keeps them look glowing and prevent the aging process. Usually after doing some exercise, our skin will looked glowing that called as ‘post-workout glow’ in which happen because of the increased blood flow. Lastly, our skin pores might build up with dead skin cells, oils and chemicals over time. By practicing exercise in our daily life can promotes the removal of these toxins through perspiration as sweat helps to clean out our skin pores. This healthy activity also can prevent the acne production. One of the caused of acne production is imbalance hormones that make the pores clog. However, exercise can help us in balancing our hormones back as exercise can relieves stress, therefore eliminate the over production of sebum. So, let’s sweat it out.

In conclusion, our skin works 24/7 to take care of us, protect us, and keep us healthy and we have a responsibility to take care of our skin. Practicing skincare routine, having healthy diet and exercise regularly can keep our skin healthy. We don’t have to look young or perfect to have healthy skin. You can have wrinkles, sagging, pimples, shine, dark spots, dark circles, puffy eyes, and still have healthy skin. All of those imperfections are normal outcomes of aging or genetic characteristics. Healthy skin is more about your internal physiology which is how well the invisible machinery inside your skin is running able to respond to infection or wounds quickly and effectively.