What Your Skin Says About Your Health
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it speaks to you everyday, staring you in the mirror. Just think about when you're menstruating and you break out along your jawline. This is your body telling you your hormones are changing and it is displaying itself on your face. Continuous outbreaks, blotchiness, dryness, among other things are all telltale signs that there may be bodily imbalances. The solution is not always complicated but it may be a result of an underlying autoimmune or health condition. If your skin is excessively dry, the solution may be to moisturize daily, especially after showering or bathing and make a conscious effort to drink more water. According to the Mayo Clinic, men should drink 15.5 cups and women 11.5 cups of water a day on average. If you feel you are hydrating effectively and drinking plenty of water, than it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as an irregulated thyroid or Sjogren's Syndrome. These and many other conditions can easily be diagnosed from a blood test per your doctor's orders.
Rosacea is a facial skin condition which can cause persistent blushing, visible veins, swollen bumps, burning sensation, irritated eyes, or an enlarged nose where the skin has thickened. If you have one or more of these conditions, it is best to see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis as rosacea is often a result of an overactive immune system; however a definitive cause is unknown. Flare ups of rosacea may be triggered by hot/spicy foods or drinks, alcohol, extreme temperatures, emotions, exercise and vasodilators (medications which dilate blood vessels), and some skincare products. If you have rosacea, choose fragrance free or naturally fragranced skincare. If, "Fragrance" is listed on the label, it could contain a whole host of ingredients which the manufacturer is not required to list by law, so you really do not know exactly what you are putting on your face. You also may want to reduce the number of products you put on your face by choosing 1-2 products with multiple functions. Additionally you will want to avoid excessive sunlight and wear sunscreen when going outside, especially during hotter months.
Breakouts are not just happening for teenagers. An estimated 15% of adults suffer from acne long past their teen years. So what causes adult acne? As mentioned earlier it may be a result of an underlying health condition. If you do not have any health conditions, then it may be an irritant your skin is coming in contact with on a daily basis. If you are wearing a facial mask, then make sure you wash it regularly and put it on only when you need to while also being mindful not to wear it on your chin when not in use. Many hair care products can clog pores if they touch your skin, so be aware of keeping them off your face when applying them to your hair and when your hair may touch your face if leaving it down. Using too many skincare or acne products may irritate your skin, exacerbating your breakout. Keep it simple with 1-2 products being applied after washing your face. If you want to apply additional products then space them out applying 2 in the morning and the other 2 in the evening. Results may take up to 4-6 weeks, but you should notice improvements before then. Always wash your face with an oil free cleanser prior to applying any skincare product. If you wear makeup, make sure you are fully removing ALL of your makeup before applying skincare. This is a simple, yet very common problem with adult breakouts. If you struggle to wash all your make-up off, you will need to use a makeup remover before washing your face. Adding skincare to an uncleansed face will only clog pores leading to further breakouts.
Eating sugared and generally accepted unhealthy foods will also display undesirable skin traits. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to a food, it may result in uneven skin tone, blotchiness or breakouts. Foods which may cause breakouts are:
Milk: The hormones cows produce when pregnant and which are in milk may contribute to more acne.
Sugar: High sugar/carbohydrate foods enter the bloodstream quickly, increasing your glycemic index (Blood sugar levels) and in turn, cause your body to produce more insulin. This affects other hormones which can increase skin oil production.
Chocolate: Scientists are not sure why, but for some people chocolate will cause breakouts. It may be due to the high sugar content so if you want some chocolate, choose dark chocolate with less sugar.
Fried Foods: If you are cooking deep fried foods you may notice an increase in acne as the oil can stick to and clog your pores/hair follicles.
Foods which may improve acne are:
High Fiber Foods: These foods help regulate blood sugar levels and may be why they help keep acne away.
Salmon: Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids which lower inflammation and may help keep acne away. Additionally, it helps lower IGF-1 which is a protein linked to acne.
Nuts: Low levels of antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium have been linked to acne and can be found in nuts. Nuts such as almonds, peanuts and Brazil nuts contain these nutrients which help prevent cellular damage.
Oysters: These contain zinc, which helps kill bacteria and fight inflammation. Be cautious as too much zinc can cause health problems. Adults should get 40mg or less per day.
Overall, eating a healthy diet full of nutrient dense foods, getting your face completely clean, using natural skincare without added fragrance, and getting annual check-ups to ensure overall health will keep your body and skin healthy.
Natana Naturals focuses on balancing natural skincare and science to bring you premium skincare products at an affordable price. We believe in inner as well as outer beauty to live a beautiful and fulfilling life.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20353815
https://www.rosacea.org/patients/skin-care-and-cosmetics
https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/acne/10-surprising-causes-acne-adults/
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/ss/slideshow-acne-best-worst-foods