Body Care – Love the Skin You’re In

By KO Jones
Advocate for Skin Health

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. However, most of us only apply the “good products” to treat the skin on the face and neck. Little attention is paid to the skin on the rest of the body. We want our skin to glow; yet, we wash it, but do not exfoliate it. We want our skin to be even and supple; yet we bruise it, but do not massage it. We want our skin to be flawless; yet, we scrape it, but do not hydrate to heal it.  We want so much from our skin; however, most of us refuse to provide our skin with the time and attention it needs to have the healthy glow we love.

We all have a continuous skin care journey full of surprises as we age. For example, we can encounter adult acne on our backs and chest; or a newly developed skin sensitivity from our current environment or from the foods we eat; or dark blemishes that you knew were not there yesterday, but they are definitely there today; or dry skin patches that you knew you moisturized, but… maybe not. Instead of trying to control the things we are unable to control, let us try looking inward at our skin care routines for our bodies. 

We should care for our skin by what we put in our bodies and our topical use choices. Drinking water is a good start, but it will not resolve all of your issues. Diminishing our stress and being attentive to any new sensitivities our bodies may develop (i.e., allergies to foods or environmental surroundings) are just a few things that can make a big difference in skin health.

A few extra tips to keep your skin healthy:
• Take notes about your skin changes.
• Consult your physician with your observations.

Remember, what you give your body to absorb, your skin will display, so drink water and eating balanced meals containing healthy fats and lean protein!

Here are a few simple suggestions for a healthy skin care regimen for your body using the simple steps below.

1. Cleanse. While you are cleansing your body from the inside with good eating habits, choose a daily soap or body wash that will promote a healthy balance. Whether you have normal, dry, or sensitive skin, choosing the correct cleanser goes a long way to having healthy skin.
   
2. Exfoliate. Some body washes or soaps allow you to rebalance your skin through exfoliation. You need to use these about 2 to 3 times a week to rid your body of dead particles of skin.  Even if you have dry skin, gentle exfoliants add a layer of moisture where you have made room for new skin to grow.
   
3. Moisturize.  Using the correct type of lotion for your skin type only enhances the hydration of your skin to provide a healthy glow as you continue to heal your body from the inside and out. Lotion allows a sealant for the internal hydration of the water from the good eating habits to be maintained in your body and exhibited as an external glow. It allows moisture to remain and works wonders in keeping your skin healthy.

These steps are quite simple. They will go a long way in creating better looking skin – a healthier you.

Enjoy your skin care journey and love the skin you’re in! 

**Article Information – The material contained in this article is for informational use only. Consult your physician to obtain a confirmed diagnosis for your skin care needs.