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“The first step when it comes to looking after your skin is to know exactly what type you have”

“Don’t wear make-up to bed, no matter how tired you are”

“What’s next when it comes to looking after your skin? The food and drink you eat”

“Think exercising is only good for seeing your weight drop, muscles tone and improve health on the inside? It’s equally as good for your skin – and with many more advantages than you realise”

“Think something’s not right? Speak to your GP or seek medical advice. Because it’s always better to be safe than sorry”

It’s predicted there will be approximately 20,800 cases of melanoma skin cancer diagnosed in 2025
(BBC News)

Almost 60% of Brits lack a consistent skincare routine  (Kenvue)

 

Let’s be honest: when it comes to your health how high up on the list is your skin? Sure, signs of ageing are always going to be an issue, but is that the only thing to factor in to the equation?  Many of us spend so much time focusing on our inner health that we don’t give it as much thought as we should, when in fact our skin’s appearance can actually be a sign of an underlying issue, with discolouration, growths and rashes potentially being a sign of heart disease. And considering that around eight million people deal with ongoing issues like psoriasis, eczema and acne means it’s never been more important to treat your skin with the care it deserves, with the following advice key to keeping it – and you – in the best possible shape.

 

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?

The first step when it comes to looking after your skin is to know exactly what type you have, with one survey revealing that one in every five women are unsure. The easiest way to discover this is to visit a skin expert, who will not only identify what type you are but can also show your skin’s patterns of behaviour, as well as what to expect as the seasons change. As for what skin type, they fall into the following categories: normal, dry, oily and combination. Normal is usually characterised in that the skin is neither too oily or dry; whereas dry lacks moisture and can be rough, flaky or scaly. As for oily, your skin may have a shiny or greasy appearance, particularly on the forehead, nose, and chin, while combination is a mix of the two, typically showing an oily T-zone and normal to dry cheeks. But why is this so important for your skin’s health? By discovering your type you can find out exactly what products to use to keep it in optimum condition, as well as making sure you don’t use too many products which can sometimes make issues worse, with signs including dryness, breakouts, redness, inflammation and more.

 

MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP

Wearing make-up makes us feel good; of course it does, with 96% of women who wear it every day helping them stay positive. However, the cosmetics you use may well be having a detrimental effect. Oil-based make-up can trap dirt and clog pores if you already have an oily type; make-up with parabens, sulphates and heavy metals are also a known irritant; with even primer leading to acne and flare ups if it’s not right for you. What to look for instead? It again depends on your skin type, with choosing a foundation just one example. Oily skin works better with powder, combination a tinted moisturiser, and sensitive working with a less is more approach, using gold undertones to correct redness. Just don’t wear make-up to bed, no matter how tired you are. Why? It can clog pores, lead to styes when glands become blocked, and then there’s bacteria that causes other skin problems, all of which thrive on a face full of day-old makeup.

 

STAY PROTECTED

A summer’s day puts us all in a good mood, triggering the release of serotonin, associated with boosting mood and helping you feel focused. We need a regular dose, too, with the sun’s rays helping your skin make Vitamin D, essential for bone function and health. All that being said, there are many steps to take to ensure you’re not actually doing more harm than good. Not using high factor SPF is a big no-no, with suncream preventing your skin from premature ageing due to the sun’s UVA rays, with UVB also damaging cells that can lead to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. But that’s not all you should be doing, as no amount of cream provides 100% protection. Avoid spending time in the sun during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm), even more so if you’re fairer skinned, with UV radiation starting to become harmful after about just five to 10 minutes. Wearing protective clothing should also always play a part in looking after your skin when it’s exposed to the sun’s rays – tightly woven fabrics offer the best protection, a wet T-shirt offers less than a dry one, while darker colours protect more than light. And don’t automatically assume you’re fine inside: UVB rays are largely blocked by a glass window, but more than 50% of UVA rays are known to penetrate it.

 

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

What’s next when it comes to looking after your skin? The food and drink you eat. Food-wise it’s important to choose wisely, with good nutrition required for good skin from youth to ageing or disease. What should be on your plate? A minimum of five fruit and veg every day, with kale, papaya and spinach important for normal skin cell development and healthy skin tone. Citrus fruits are also vital – full of Vitamin C required to produce collagen, this makes up to 80% of your skin and helps maintain structure and elasticity. Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are also great choices, rich in omega-3 fatty acids important for maintaining skin health. Just try to limit anything processed and refined carbohydrates as they can promote inflammation, as well as fried foods, known for causing the skin to become red and blotchy, creating a target-rich environment for blemishes to form. And don’t forget about the importance of staying hydrated, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to skin cells as well as detoxifying the body, reducing the occurrence of acne and other skin issues. But don’t just think any type of drink will do. If possible, stick to water where possible, avoiding caffeine and too much alcohol, both of which are diuretic and draw water from the body.

 

FIT AS A FIDDLE

Think exercising is only good for seeing your weight drop, muscles tone and improve health on the inside? It’s equally as good for your skin – and with many more advantages than you realise. It improves blood circulation as your demand for oxygen rises, flushing out toxins and leaving you with a glowing complexion – as well as sweating helping to balance the skin’s pH levels. However, you’re not going to work out to your maximum potential if you’re a smoker (which we very much hope you’re not), with research showing a reduced lung function can be associated with dermatitis. Further still, lighting up makes your skin age faster, causing wrinkles and sagging, with quitting the habit leading to much healthier skin: in just a few days blood flow improves, giving your skin much more oxygen and nutrients. Don’t forget about the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, either: a peaceful slumber is linked to a reduction of wrinkles and an enhanced complexion, with the skin having its highest levels of blood flow at night, increasing body temperature and helping repair badly damaged skin. Finally, when it comes to keeping fit always check your moles on a regular basis, looking out for any that have changed size, shape or colour, are painful or itchy, have become inflamed, bleeding or crusty, or you’ve found a new or unusual mark that’s not gone away after a few weeks. Think something’s not right? Speak to your GP or seek medical advice. Because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.