Friday, May 22, 2015

The Importance of Moisturizing Your Skin

Our skin is the largest organ in the human body. It protects us from the elements, aids in regulating body temperature and allows us to touch and feel. While it is common to focus one’s attention upon facial skin care, it is important to treat the rest of our skin with equal care. After all, a person’s skin is the first thing we see, as it covers us from head to toe.

While skin acts as our protective barrier from an ever-changing environment, we must remember the importance of doing our part to help skin perform its job. As dry skin often indicates an impaired barrier function of the skin, we must first and foremost maintain our skin’s moisture. Choosing the right moisturizer differs from person to person, dependent upon skin sensitivity, pigmentation and oiliness, upon many other factors. Remember, once applied to skin, the products and ingredients that we choose are often absorbed into the skin or metabolized, so be aware of your skin’s reaction to applying new moisturizers.

Here are some tips:
  • Year round, apply a daily moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Reapply as directed on the product label. 
  • Choose products without known irritants, such as synthetic fragrances and other chemical ingredients.
  • Be aware of your skin’s reaction to fragrance, whether natural or artificial in origin. Those with sensitive skin may only tolerate fragrance-free products.
  • When cleansing your skin, use the same caution in choosing products as with moisturizing. Although you are washing these products from your skin, this short period of contact can still allow irritants to harm your barrier function.
  • Almond Glow from Home Health is an exceptional moisturizing option for those seeking a product made with only natural ingredients. This body lotion is formulated with pure plant oils-peanut, olive and lanolin oils-that naturally condition skin and vitamin E, a known antioxidant.
  • Certain medications and consumption of alcoholic beverages can dehydrate the skin.

-Stephen Howe Jr, Customer Care Lead & Marketing Assistant

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