Skin is perhaps one of the most important parts of your body, protecting you from a host of diseases that may pose a threat to your existence.



It is our body's main line of defense. It guards you against infections and insulates your body from the ever-fluctuating external environment in order to keep a relatively stable body temperature.

As a sensor of the outside world, the skin is always relaying vital information bout pain, heat, texture, cold, etc to the brain. If this function is impaired you can be at increased risk, for instance, of burning.

Bearing these in mind, the emphasis on correct skincare, and avoidance of activities which damage skin, is vital.

SPFs, Lifestyle and Diet

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin is to minimize unnecessary sun exposure and tanning. Our every-day work or recreational habits will, of necessity, expose us to harmful UV rays from the sun. We must be aware of this risk, and protect ourselves accordingly, to reduce the possible onslaught of skin cancer in later years. Skin color can be misleading. People believe that the fairer you are, the more you are likely to suffer burns caused by exposure to sunlight. That may be partly true, but overexposure to UV light can cause serious skin problems however fair or dark your skin is.

Small doses of sunlight can in fact be beneficial to our well being; to completely avoid sun exposure, you would have to live in a cave. (Vitamin D production) However, when exposing yourself to the sun's rays, the following recommendations will help prevent excessive exposure:

Wear Protective Sunscreen - May people now understand that it is advisable to use a product incorporating a Protective Sunscreen, and that it is vital to check out the Sun Protection Factor level (SPF). High rated SPF sunscreen lotions are effective in blocking UV rays from penetrating your skin. The higher the SPF level, the greater the protective effect.

Intensive application should be made on exposed spots of the body such as the lower arm and legs, ear lobes, nose, feet and the face. Check out the contents of your sunscreen product; select a product with a generous content of: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, benzophenone, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone and/or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane known as avobenzone (Parsol 1979).

Wear Protective Fabric - Tightly woven clothing are effective in warding off unwanted UV rays. Today, some fabrics are even labeled according to how effective they are in intercepting UV rays. Additional protection can be obtained from wearing wide brimmed hats. Take special care with the back of the neck, which is a particularly vulnerable area.

The effect of cosmetic tanning, which has no real benefit, is just as dangerous as the sun's harmful UV rays. It uses UVA rays and does not always cause obvious burns, which makes it particularly dangerous. The extent of damage can be likened to UVB rays, resulting in obvious tanning and skin damage.

Other damage can occur from exposure to cigarette smoke, either as an active or passive smoker. Avoid smoky atmospheres and if you, or someone whose company you keep regularly smokes, it's time to quit!

Healthy eating - A well balanced diet is a very important factor in keeping your skin healthy. You've heard it before, but bear in mind that fresh fruits and vegetables contain anti-oxidants such as vitamins C, D and E, which are excellent skin rejuvenating ingredients. Studies on skin care show that Vitamin D can help the body combat skin cancer.

These organic foodstuffs bind with highly reactive free radicals and neutralize them. They protect the body against damage caused by these injurious chemicals.

Whole grains, seeds, nuts, fish such as tuna and salmons are excellent sources of fatty acids and essential oils that keep the skin hydrated. The harmful effects from deep skin penetration of UV rays can be countered by the presence of fatty acids.

Fluids such as water and juices also keep your skin dehydrated and minimize the effect of sun exposure. Alcohol will dehydrate it. Scientists have proven over the years that dehydrated skin can expose the individual to a higher risk from the adverse effects of burns and structural damage.

As well as keeping you looking young and healthy, your skin is designed to protect and shield you from the threats of the environment. For the optimum chance of success, give it the best possible care.