Get a Leg Up on SKIN !
Skin tight. Give me some skin. Under my skin. Thick skinned. Skin deep. Skin flicks. Skinny dipping…
Our skin is our largest organ we have and its cells are constantly dying and re-growing. We do a lot of things to our skin, we:
Flaunt it. Cover it. Poke it. Pinch it. Pierce it.Steam it. Squeeze it. Inject it. Tan it. Shave it. Tatoo it, and more…
But when it comes to health, even our skin is more than skin deep.
Our skin plays a very specialized role in our body’s systems. Called the integumentary system, it is there to:
Keep essential fluids inside of our body
- Help regulate our internal thermostats (temperature)
- Provide a barrier against external bacteria and pathogens
- Protect muscles, bones and vital organs
So, taking good care of your skin not only helps your outer body look better, but is helps your overall health as well.
The study of Ayurveda teaches some very specialized ways to care for your skin. Here are the Top 8 ways to get your skin clean, clear, smooth, supple and glowing:
1. Shed it. In the ancient study of Ayurveda, it is customary to use an exfoliating (dry) brush on your skin daily. There is a particular pattern to brush your skin. Start slowly and gently. Dry brushes can be purchased at most beauty supply stores or online. Benefits: increased blood flow, circulation, elimination of dead skin cells.
2. Hydrate it. Just like your garden, your body and skin needs water to flourish. Drink plenty of water each day. Warm tea is wonderful too. While relaxing tub baths are wonderful, avoid taking them excessively or using harsh soaps. Remember, your skin is like a sponge and absorbs everything, so think before you soak, lather, smooth or rub. Benefits: replenish fluids, minerals, move toxins through your excretory system.
3. Moisturize It. Your car and bicycle need lubrication, and so does your skin. After you dry brush and/or bathe, its time to get silky smooth. Ayurveda calls it Abyanga. You can moisturize after you bathe, or BEFORE you shower, when the warm water opens your pores allowing the pure oil to be absorbed more readily. Use organic oil if you can. Depending on your dosha body type you may want to apply a specific type of oil that works best for YOUR body. Benefits: increased moisture, softness, suppleness as well as healing.
4. Stroke It. Besides Abyanga, regular soothing massages are more than just a luxury. They not only feel good, but do wonders for your skin. Benefits: helps release toxins/impurities, increased blood flow, relaxation, improved tone.
5. Nourish it. Garbage in. Garbage out. It’s as simple as that. Healthy and vibrant skin needs healthy and vibrant fruits and veggies! Eat the “colors of the rainbow” to ingest wonderful antioxidants. Also, make sure you get an ample serving of seeds and nuts for their natural oils and proteins. Benefits: fewer breakouts, increased “glow” factor!
6. Sweat it. Want to release waste, toxins and impurities? Your body already knows how to do this. Its called working up a sweat! One Ayurvedic practice is called Svedana, which uses steam to warm your body so that you sweat. If you have access to a steam sauna, use it. Practice vigorous exercise several times a week and you’re guaranteed to open those pores. Sweating…it’s a good thing! Benefits: release of toxins, lowers body temperature to avoid overheating, and more !
7. Rest it. Get your beauty sleep! If you want healthy skin, getting good sound sleep is essential. Your outer skin layer (aka stratum comeum) contains keratin which you need to recover from daily damage and dehydration. So if you’re sleepless, you’re inviting dryness, dark eye circles and wrinkles. Who wants THAT? Benefits: hydration, better collagen maintenance, improved cellular repair.
8. Protect it. While it’s fun to “show some skin”, remember to protect it from overexposure to the elements. Also, avoid close prolonged contact with chemicals and toxic substances. Beware, many can be found in your home, contained in bath sprays, perfumes/colognes, lotions, soaps, detergents, deodorants and cleaning products. Remember, sometimes reading the label can be the best protection there is. Benefits: overall healthier skin, reduced risk of skin cancer or other skin irritations and chronic conditions.
So get your skin glowing. Regular practice of these Top 8 simple skin care solutions will dramatically change the look and feel of your delightful dermis (epidermis)…it has mine!
Love your self and feel Great in your own skin ! (a fun Tweetable!)
~Pam~
Live Life Passionately !
Pam,
I love the article on Get a leg up on skin! While I have heard many of these tips before you so eloquently remind me how important our skin is to our overall health, wellness and feeling fabulous. Thank you for your inspirtation. I also might add visiting the dermatologist once a year for a complete body inspection is important especially for those of us who thought sunbathing with baby oil was the thing to do in our early years.
Pam, you are awesome!
Wendy Cohen
That’s a wonderful suggestion Wendy..thanks for sharing!
You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Thanks Loretta…yes…its all about following your heart (and soul).!!!
I visit day-to-day a few websites and websites to read articles or reviews, however this web site provides quality based articles.
Thank you Nancy…let me know if there is any thing in particular you would like to read/learn about. I appreciate your comment.
I love all these suggestions and your tweetable says it all. Taking care of my skin is a loving thing to do. Thank you for this, Pam!
Jodi, so appreciate your comment…much of my SKIN regime is Ayurvedic-based, as written in my post. In my younger days, I fell prey to many of the over the counter cosmetics…now, my regime is simplified and as natural and organic as I can make it. Its a process…but I adore SMILE lines 🙂
Glad you are writing about this one Pam. When it comes to wellness, skin doesn’t seem to be on the forefront except during summers. Yet, the care of our skin for all the reasons you cited above is essential for wonderful health. You could surely write a book about those 7 ways to take care of our skin!
Thanks Dean..winters in chicago can be tough and drying…skin takes a beating! Staying hydrated on all levels really pays off. Appreciate your input.
Pam – I really enjoyed this piece on skin. I especially like the idea of oiling up before showering as another way to take care of my skin. I grew up in the desert and was a sun bather (not so smart), now I am trying to be sure I give my skin plenty of moisture and protection. Thank you for these tips.
Thank you Dr. Jorgensen. Appreciate your rewind to those earlier days…many of the skin “recipes” I use are very Ayurvedic based and have served me well. I dont buy a lot of over the counter cosmetics..use more organic products for cleansing but certainly keeping moisture IN helps our skin as we age…
fabulous article with so much great advice! I love taking care of myself and learned so many new thing here… and now I have another reason to continue with weekly massages… not just to destress but to care for my skin! Thanks Pam!
Awesome post! I’ve worked in the health and wellness field for the past 6 years, and most of what I see out there on skin health is based in bad science selling products that aren’t good for people’s overall health. Nice to see this refreshing holistic approach.
Thanks Anthony. And of course, there are hundred of products which claim to do WONDERS for your skin…esp your face..I strongly urge everyone to READ the product labels…your skin will absorb nearly everything you put on it, so all of the ingredients/chemicals which are in the products are “topically ingested” into your body. I have been approached by many skin care companies to endorse their products, but wasnt until recently that I fell in love with an organic line of products (primarily plant based) which I will soon be promoting. (The products are made in small batches and are seasonally adjusted!!!) Appreciate your heartfelt response !
I sooo neglected my skin until my wife bought me some moisturizer. I took the hint and people notice right away. Now time to pay attention to more than just the skin on my face.
Ian…at least your wife got you started 😉 Thank her for that ! Glad you will give your skin some extra attention 🙂
Pam – My skin is long overdue for a little TLC. I am going to share this great post with my wife as she will love it. Here is my first action item – Schedule a massage! I had never thought of skin as our biggest organ. Thank you for the great education!
Thanks John…unfortunately, we dont really think too much about caring for our skin..except maybe for using sunscreen when outdoors…Appreciate your sharing with your wife…there really is so much to learn to care for our skin most naturally and holistically.
As the weather gets nicer, we really are showing more skin! Great suggestions Pam 🙂