Skin is not only the body’s largest organ—its job description is pretty remarkable, too. Skin covers the outside and protects the inside of your body, regulates body temperature, and works with the immune system to keep you healthy.
Give your skin the respect it deserves with these simple precautions:
1. Eat well. Indulging in fatty and sugary foods affects your skin as well as your waistline. “Consuming unhealthy foods can fill you with empty calories, which leave your skin with fewer nutrients,” says David Butler, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. “Watch what you eat, and also remember to take your vitamins. Taking a multivitamin can supplement unhealthy food choices that lack nutrients.”
2. Move more; stress less. Schedule 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day. “Stress increases circulating glucocorticosteroids that can lead to hormonally-driven acne flare ups,” Dr. Butler says. “Exercise reduces stress and can prevent breakouts.”
3. Drink up. “Cold and dry winter air can dehydrate your skin and leave it dull looking,” Dr. Butler says. “Remember to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day to keep skin supple and flush out toxins that can leave your skin looking drab.”
Finally, treat your skin gently. To retain the oil your skin needs, use mild soap, shave carefully, wash with warm water, and pat dry.
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