The skin is our largest organ and plays a very important role as our first level of defense against a host of environmental aggressors. Your skin is the most visible part of your body and is the first thing that you see when looking at yourself and what anyone else sees when interacting with you. It is affected by every aspect of your life, from what you eat to where you live. Healthy skin is better able to fight signs of aging, heals much faster and staves off potential disease better than unhealthy skin.
Why your skin is probably the most important organ of your body:
- Your skin is like a body guard – it offers protection
One of its most important jobs, our skin provides a barrier to harmful environmental aggressors like germs and UV radiation. Your skin also helps your body repel damaging bacteria and viruses which may cause disease. - Your skin is like a thermostat – it regulates your body temperature
When we are hot, our skin can cool our entire bodies by sweating and also increasing blood flow, which allows heat to be lost through the skin. In contrast, when we are cold, the diameter of our blood vessels decreases, which reduces blood flow, retaining heat in the body. - Your skin is like a switchboard – it transfers information
Nerves in the skin respond to different stimuli, including touch, pain, pressure and temperature by passing along information to the central nervous system, therefore helping your body react accordingly to the stimuli. - Your skin is like a raincoat and a sponge – it’s a barrier and absorbs necessary nutrients
Our skin cells need water, yet if the surface of our skin (and the walls of our skin cells themselves) did not have a “waterproofing” effect, all the water in our skin would evaporate and the cells would die. While the outermost layer of skin is designed to repel water, it can also selectively absorb oily substances that are small enough to penetrate in between the cells. - Your skin acts as “your face” to the world
When your skin becomes dry or damaged, you can end up looking older than you actually are. Damaged skin will also affect your confidence and mood. Proper skin care is vital if you’re concerned about your physical appearance. Unhealthy skin tends to appear shallow and dull, whereas healthy skin appears full and vibrant. Wrinkles develop with more ease and sink deeper if your skin is dehydrated and unhealthy, and it can result in uneven patches that have a mottled color. When skin is unhealthy it loses elasticity, which can make it sag and appear thin. - Your skin is your first step to overall well-being
Proper skin care is not only about looking good, it’s also about staying healthy. Poor skin care habits can lead to rashes, sores, acne and wrinkles. Unhealthy skin is more susceptible to disease, infection and is more likely to scar after an injury. Proper care is particularly important for people who experience skin issues, such as psoriasis and eczema, or have skin allergies.
Caring for your skin is to maintain a daily routine by cleaning and moisturising your skin. The skin needs moisture to survive, so applying lotion within a few minutes of bathing. Regular toning and exfoliating is also essential to allow the skin to constantly regenerate. Taking care of your skin is the first step to a healthier, younger and more vibrant you.
You only get one skin so make sure you take care of it as best you can.
