11 Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy [From Head to Toe]

Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ and functions as a barrier between you and the outside world? Having healthy skin can delay aging and protect against harmful pathogens. If you don’t have a good skin care routine in place, now is the time to start. Here’s how to get healthy skin from head to toe!

1. Moisturize Your Skin

Moisturizing regularly will help smooth your skin, maintain balance, and deter against problems like dryness, cracked skin, pimples, and wrinkles. Make sure to moisturize daily with special focus on your face, hands, and feet. There are a wide variety of moisturizers on the market; when choosing yours, keep in mind the following:

• Target areas call for specific types of moisturizers. The moisturizer you use on your feet is going to have different properties than the one you will use on your face.
• Choose a moisturizer that works with your skin type whether you tend to have sensitive skin, dry or more oily skin.
• Use a lotion applicator for hard to reach areas.
• If you have damaged skin or existing skin conditions, try moisturizing problem areas with anti-fungal balms designed to relieve dry, scaly skin, and even Athlete’s Foot.

2. Wear Sunscreen Daily

Wearing sunscreen every day is key to good skin health. Especially for those who live in warmer areas with more sun exposure. Sunscreen will protect your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays, which will reduce the risk of skin cancer, dark spots, wrinkles, and damaged skin. Follow these tips for adequate sun protection:

• Use at least SPF 15 for adequate protection during the day, but considerably higher if you plan to be out in the sun longer than usual.
• Look for a moisturizer or makeup base that already contains SPF to eliminate a step.
• Sunscreen will wear off so reapply as needed, especially if exposing your skin to the sun.
• Use lip balms and chapsticks that contain sun protection.
• Consider other ways to protect your skin from the sun using clothing, hats, sunglasses, and shade.

3. Apply Aloe Vera to Damaged Skin

Aloe Vera is packed with antioxidants, enzymes, vitamin C and vitamin A to help hydrate the skin. It works as an anti-inflammatory and can be used to treat skin with sun damage, burns, dryness and surface acne. Aloe Vera is found naturally in aloe plants or you can purchase it in the form of a gel or ointment and apply directly to an affected area of the skin.

4. Use Eye Creams

The skin under and around your eyes is very delicate and prone to dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles due to sun damage and a decrease in collagen production as you age. Eye creams are made up of specialized formulas that are appropriate for the sensitive skin around your eyes and help build elasticity, reduce puffiness and dark circles. These should be used alongside moisturizers. A couple of tips for choosing an eye cream:

• Avoid creams with synthetic fragrances.
• Read ingredients and watch out for chemicals you may be allergic to.
• Choose an eye cream with SPF to help protect against sun damage.

5. Avoid Harsh Soaps & Cleansers

This is especially important when washing your face. Conventional soaps tend to be harsh with high PH levels which can strip away good oils leaving you with dry skin, itchiness, irritation, and often inflammation. They also tend to worsen existing skin conditions such as; rosacea, acne, and eczema. Always check the ingredients and avoid the following:

• Artificial fragrances
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Sodium laureth sulfate
• Synthetic coloring

6. Exfoliate Your Skin

Proper exfoliation has anti-aging effects, unclogs pores, evens skin tone, improves circulation and blood flow, and even prevents acne. While most commonly talked about for the face, exfoliating is important for your entire body. Try dry brushing (once or twice a week) your arms and legs to effectively remove dead skin and dirt from the surface while promoting the production of healthy oils that help to heal the skin. Use a loofah brush or scrubbing set while bathing to gently exfoliate dead skin cells in between dry brushing sessions.

7. Take Care of Your Feet

If you don’t care for your feet on a regular basis, you’ll likely notice dry skin, cracked heels, and built up calluses. This is inevitable as our feet bear the weight of our bodies every day. If not properly cared for this can lead to infected, inflamed, and irritated skin. Foot care doesn’t have to be complicated, make sure to scrub and exfoliate your feet daily, file away dead skin every other week, and apply a foot cream nightly.

8. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Antioxidant-rich foods are best for good skin health and an overall healthy diet filled with fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products is ideal. Some of the best foods for healthy skin include:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Yellow and orange-colored veggies and fruits (i.e. carrots & apricots)
• Beans and lentils
• Salmon
• Nuts

You should avoid refined sugars, carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats as much as possible.

9. Drink Water & Stay Hydrated

Hydration does wonders for skin care. Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day will help to rid toxins, promote blood flow, reduce breakouts, clear up existing blemishes, and leave you with glowing skin.

10. Take Vitamins & Supplements

Vitamin D, C, E & K are all essential nutrients for proper care of your skin. Try to consume these through your daily nutrition but if you’re missing out, supplements are the next best option.

11. Visit the Dermatologist Routinely

When it comes to skin health, the dermatology office is your best resource. You should set up annual visits with your doctor for general skin cancer screenings. If you notice dark spots, suspicious moles, or freckles - you should visit sooner. A certified dermatologist can effectively treat a wide range of skin problems such as; acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, varicose veins, and skin infections. Additionally, if you’re unsure where to start for a skin care routine, they can get you started on an appropriate regimen.

Start Your New Skin Care Routine Today

It may seem like a lot at first, but implementing these small changes will make a huge difference in your overall skin health. Start by incorporating one to two new things from this list and work with your dermatologist or health care professional to come up with the best skin care solution for you.