What is strong skin?
Skin health is big news as of late as more and more people realise that having strong skin is a key indication of your overall wellbeing. Gone are the days when looking after your skin was all about appearance, with industry expertise now proving that the barrier which our skin provides is vital in the fight against external germs and infections.
Strong skin comes from an amalgamation of different things such as a good diet, exercise and the right products, but why do these things benefit us and how do they help our skin protect us in day to day life?
We take a look at some of the best ways to improve your skin health to help you on the way to skin as strong as you are.
Avoid added sugars
When we eat foods with high levels of sugar, the naturally occurring collagen and elastic in our bodies can be damaged, as the molecules in the sugar attach themselves to our bodies protein molecules. This damage can cause the skin to wrinkle and sag, meaning it’s neither operating at nor looking its best!
For skin that radiates health and enables you to live your best life, every day, look for foods rich in omegas. These include oily fishes like salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds such as walnuts, and natural cooking oils like olive oil.
Foods high in vitamins A, C and E are also hugely impactful for skin health helping to boost collagen, prevent dryness and fight free radicals, so make sure you pack in as many fruits and vegetables as possible to help skin perform at the best of its ability.
Get a good night’s sleep
Sleep is the single most powerful weapon in the fight for strong skin. A good night’s sleep can reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which is responsible for the thinning and weakening of our skin. It helps cell renewal, repair and turnover, as well as boosting collagen production and promoting elasticity. Furthermore, it increases melatonin, skin’s antioxidant for fighting age spots, fine lines or even skin cancer, so is super important on the quest for skin health.
Exercise regularly
Yes, we know you’re probably tired of hearing how beneficial exercise is for pretty much every aspect of your life but, surprise surprise, it’s great for our skin too! Frequent exercise improves the body’s circulation, meaning that the flow of nutrients to skin is heightened, plus it helps remove dirt which sits on skin’s surface. Some studies even suggest that exercising regularly can reverse skin’s ageing process, so it’s so worthwhile for skin that’s both looks and feels as strong as it can be.