Did you know that your skin is the body’s largest organ? That’s right. With a total area of about 20 square feet, your epidermis is the biggest — and one of the most important — parts of your body. While it has many roles, it mainly serves as a barrier between your internal organs and exterior contaminants like allergens, toxins, bugs, carcinogens and the like.

But, in order for your skin to protect you, you must also protect it. Here are a few ways to keep it safe so it stays healthy and does its job for many more years to come.

1. Exfoliate

Your skin undergoes a natural turnover cycle every month where the upper layer sheds to reveals the middle layer. If you fail to remove those dead skin cells, they’ll clog pores and cause breakouts. On the other hand, if the cells refuse to shed after 30 days, they can lead to dry, itchy skin.

Exfoliating ensures buttery soft, glowing skin by sloughing off that dead epidermis. Use a gentle scrub twice a week for best results and steer clear of products that contain microbeads as they aren’t good for your face or the environment.

2. Moisturize

If you exfoliate too often or live in a dry climate, your skin might feel dry and flaky rather often. In this case, it’s important to moisturize twice daily. That’s right. You should be moisturizing day and night to protect your skin from dehydration.

Use a light moisturizer in the morning or opt for a moisturizing foundation. Then, apply a deep moisturizer in the evening so it has time to soak in and work overtime while you sleep.

3. Go Natural

You probably wouldn’t admit it, but you’ve been using the same skincare products for months, if not years. At this point, your skin is probably used to them and thriving as best it can. However, switching to all-natural products might be healthier for your skin in the long term.

That’s because many products still contain chemicals like phthalates and parabens, which are potentially carcinogenic. Meanwhile, all-natural products contain plant-based ingredients like essential oils. Of course, you can still have a reaction to natural ingredients, so remember to test them on a small area before applying liberally.

4. Protect Against UV

Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is the number one cause of skin cancer. Yet, millions of people still hit the beach and slip into tanning beds without first applying sunblock. Ultimately, their carelessness can result in burns, skin damage, premature aging and, in some cases, cancer.

Protect your skin from suffering irreparable harm by applying a chemical or physical sun blocker. These sunscreens block UVA and UVB rays and may be used together to provide double protection against the sun’s rays. Hats, sunglasses, bandanas and other protective clothing will also save your skin, no matter the time of year.

5. Hydrate

Drinking enough water is a surefire way to protect your skin from premature aging, acne, puffiness, irritation, dehydration and more. Because H2O helps your body flush out toxins, it can effectively improve your skin tone and heal everything from wounds to sunburns more quickly, too.

Drinking water isn’t the only way to hydrate your body and skin, though. Eating water-rich foods like cucumbers and berries can also help seal in moisture, balance pH levels, prevent breakouts and improve elasticity. Limit alcohol and sweets as these foods have the opposite effect and will only hinder your hydration goals.

6. Limit Hot Showers

A long, hot shower may sound tempting after a hard day. However, standing beneath a steady stream of steaming water might do more harm than good when it comes to your skin.

That’s because hot water removes oils and moisture from your epidermis and causes it to become dry and itchy. The hotter the shower, the more dehydrated your skin will be. The same goes for your hair. Therefore, it’s best to turn down the temperature and enjoy a cool or lukewarm shower instead. Save those hot showers for special occasions only.

7. Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking puts your body at risk in a number of ways. However, few people know that it can also wreak havoc on your skin. Toxins in the smoke can damage collagen and elastin, which can lead to premature aging. Meanwhile, vascular constriction limits wound healing and boosts your chances of developing scars from minor injuries.

Smoking can also take a toll on your complexion by increasing melanin in the skin. This effect can cause pigmentation and blemishes, especially on the face and hands. Those with vascular skin conditions, oral conditions or systemic lupus erythematosus may also experience more severe symptoms while engaging in this bad habit.

Love the Skin You’re In

Taking care of your skin can take a lot of work. In addition to developing the right routine, you must find brands that work with your budget, lifestyle and skin type. When all is said and done, you might spend hours — and quite a bit of money — researching and purchasing the right skincare products. However, once you have everything you need and a solid routine, you’re bound to see results and fall in love with the skin you’re in.

What are your favorite ways to keep your skin safe?

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Taking proper care of your skin can take a lot of work. Once you have everything you need and a solid routine, you’re bound to see results and fall in love with the skin you’re in.  Here are a few ways to keep your skin safe so it stays healthy and does its job for years to come. #KeepYourSkinSafe   #skin  #skincare  #protectyourskin  #skinprotection  #hydrate  #moisturize  #exfoliate  #sunblock

Taking proper care of your skin can take a lot of work.  Here are a few ways to keep your skin safe so it stays healthy and does its job for years to come.