Health Information Blog

Healthy skin is happy skin. Be kind to it and avoid the habits that skin hates most.

Sun damage ages skin before its time. Wrinkles, blotchiness, and even skin cancer are the ultimate result of even moderate amounts of ultraviolet radiation on unprotected skin. A tan may look attractive, but it’s actually the skin’s response to damage. Tanning beds are no safer than sunlight, either; they also use ultraviolet rays to give the skin that lovely, but dangerous tan. If you plan to be out during the day, always apply a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Your skin will thank you for it years later.

Although it’s meant to beautify, makeup has the opposite effect if left on overnight. Even high-quality cosmetics can clog pores and lead to breakouts if left on your face while you sleep. Choose an oil-free makeup remover to erase any trace of your makeup before you give your skin its nightly cleansing.

Unhappy skin shows its displeasure with breakouts and blemishes. Although blemishes aren’t always caused by dirt alone, dirt almost always causes blemishes. Keep your skin scrupulously clean to avoid breakouts. Cleansing once or twice a day and after strenuous activity is plenty; overzealous cleansing can leave even oily complexions feeling dry and irritated. The skin on your face is thinner and more delicate than the skin elsewhere on your body, so treat it gently with a cleanser specifically designed for the face.

No matter how scrupulously you clean, you can still develop blemishes. Squeezing a pimple will get rid of it quickly, but could have serious consequences such as permanent scarring and pitting. Popping pimples also spreads the bacteria inside the pimple to the surrounding skin, often resulting in even more blemishes over the next few days. Try switching out the products you use on your skin; it’s possible that one of them could be behind a breakout, especially if you’ve just bought something new. Chronically troubled skin may require a visit to a dermatologist. The range of treatments available for acne are greater now than ever before.

Although you might like a few drinks now and then, your skin may not. Tiny capillaries in the skin dilate when you drink, giving your face a flushed appearance. While a few nights on the town won’t do permanent damage, long-term heavy alcohol consumption can; when those dilated capillaries burst, your blotchy complexion could be with you for life. Your skin will thank you for moderating your alcohol intake.

Skin is forgiving; it bounces back from your having an occasional night on the town or feeling too tired to remove your makeup. The key is not to make a habit of mistreating your skin. Love your skin and it will love you back for a lifetime.

This was written by a leading dermatologist, who specialises in anti-aging treatments and skin care. Has recently reviewed and recommends the following product: skinceuticals face cream