What is healthy skin?

In today’s post lockdown world, it’s safe to say that looking after our physical health and mental wellbeing is firmly back on the agenda. After months of staying indoors and weeks making up for it by reacquainting ourselves with the great outdoors over the summer months, our skin may need a little helping hand to get back on track.

Lockdown skin, for instance, has become a very real problem for people of all ages. Whilst the time spent indoors saw our delicate skin protected from the elements and pollution, the lack of vitamin D combined with changes to our diets, stress levels and daily routines meant that many of us weren’t left with the fresh-faced, detoxed complexions we thought we’d be left with.

Understanding our skin is the key to getting our skincare routines back on track. So without further ado, let us talk you through what healthy skin means.

Healthy skin is… nourished

Nourished skin relies on a good quality moisturiser. Moisturisers aren’t just great for preventing and remedying dry skin, the nourishment they bring enhances skin tone and texture, reduces sensitivity, and acts as a temporary barrier to safeguard the outermost layer of skin.

Whether normal, dry, oily, sensitive, mature or menopausal, finding the right moisturiser for your skin type is essential and will help to treat any specific skin conditions that you may be experiencing. Along with using the right moisturiser for your skin type, age and condition to ensure your skin is deeply nourished and the protective qualities of its surface remain intact, taking a gentler approach to daily cleansing will help your skin retain those all-important natural oils.

Limiting bath or shower time and using lukewarm water instead of hot, steering clear of strong soaps and detergents, and shaving with shaving gel, cream or lotion will keep your skin nourished and healthy.

Healthy skin is… glowing

It’s not just the products that are applied topically that keep your skin in tip-top condition. Healthy, glowing skin starts within.

Whilst the link between diet and skin problems such as acne isn’t entirely clear, research does show that your diet has a direct impact on how you look and feel. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, protein and water keep skin healthy, happy and hydrated.

Along with your diet, your state of mind has been proven to influence skin condition and even has the power to trigger breakouts and other issues. High stress levels also lead to poor sleep quantity and quality, which makes taking steps to control stress vital to skin health.

Healthy skin is… protected

The summer months put an extra toll on your skin. While vitamin D is integral to skin and wider body health, protecting your skin from the sun’s powerful and harmful UVB and UVA rays isn’t just a summer thing but a year-round obligation.

Here the Independent explains why investing in a good quality SPF and using it all year round is essential to skin health not just now but in the future:

“Well, if protection against skin cancer – including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma – isn’t enough to persuade you, it’s also recognised as the best and most effective anti-ager when it comes to preventing premature wrinkles… approximately 80 per cent of UV rays still penetrate through clouds so it’s absolutely vital to apply an SPF all-year-round.”

Using sunscreen every day (no matter what the weather), seeking shade when the sun’s rays are at their strongest, and wearing protective clothing will keep a long list of skin problems at bay, including premature wrinkles and age spots, to ensure your skin stays at its healthiest.

Haven’t applied enough sunscreen and suffering from sunburn as a result? Check out our all-natural home remedies for treating sunburn to soothe your skin.