The skin is our body’s largest organ which is as complex as it is intelligent. Why shouldn’t we give it good care, protection and nourishment as it protects the rest of what’s within us? We should treat our skin with tender loving care as it will love us back. Once we understand our skin’s needs, its resilience and self-preservation mechanism, we will see how easily it is to give it that little nudge and impetus to achieve our anti-aging goals.
Our skin is exposed to the environmental elements of pollution and the sun’s UV. It fights the constant battle of self-preservation. Without our help, care and attention, it will show the harsh signs of aging prematurely. It really doesn’t take all that much to give our skin the care it needs for it to restore itself from extrinsic aging caused by the daily bombardment of environmental damage it is exposed to. This is where the resilience and intelligence of our skin will really shine through.
It really doesn’t take all that much to activate our skin’s own natural mechanism for self-preservation to restore itself from extrinsic premature again caused by the environmental damage it is exposed to. Once we make the good habit of this necessary daily skincare routine, our skin will show us the rewards soon enough.
A systematic skincare regimen is a daily routine comprised of 4 Basic Steps:
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Nourish
- Protect
CLEANSING removes the daily environmental dust, dirt, street grime and excess oils on the top layer or epidermis of the skin. Excess oil also known as sebum, is naturally secreted by the sebaceous glands of our skin to keep our skin supple, moisturized and protected. If not properly cleansed, excess sebum can cake up into a waxy, oily film that prevents the absorption of nutrients and antioxidants from serums and creams.
TONING completes the cleansing of skin as the next step to remove any dirt and excess oils still inside the pores. This is especially important for oily skin with visibly open pores prevalent in hot, humid tropical climates. Astringent Toners also tightens skin for an improved texture as it prepares the skin surface for the subsequent skincare steps.
NOURISHMENT is essential for skin health maintenance. Environmental pollutants generate free radicals and inflammation in skin cells. This in turn results in fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, even redness, itching, even sensitivity in some circumstances. Ultimately, healthy skin = glowing skin = anti-aging success.
PROTECTION against environmental pollution and UV attacks on the skin is basic logic. It is important to do so correctly. Pollutants are in the air we breathe. UV is present where there is sunlight. An umbrella over our heads helps shield us from the direct hit from the sun, but UV is still present as long as there is light around us. The use of sunscreens is a widely-known practice. Is there a difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock?
Every one of the above 4 Steps is equally important because they are all intertwined. Skipping any 1 of the 4 Steps will result in a huge compromise on adequate skin care, and ultimately, anti-aging results.
No part of this article is intended to give any medical or health advice, or seek to cure any skin diseases.
