The ABCs of healthy and radiant skin

In this article we collect the basic care to have healthy and radiant skin, distinguishing in each one of them those that benefit it at a general or internal level and those that are directly applied to the skin.

A. Hygiene for healthy and radiant skin

On a superficial level, cleaning is the most universal measure to maintain essential skin functions. The products we use must be carefully chosen according to the type of skin, since an excess of cleaning can drag the "natural emulsion" that covers its surface. Must be clean at least at night, eliminating the remains of makeup, pollution, fat and dead cells that are eliminated by the skin itself. Although makeup has been dispensed with during the day, at night it should be clean to allow it to regenerate. and thus have a healthy and radiant skin.

In general, it is important that oxygenated blood reaches the skin, which translates into a healthy appearance. To oxygenate the blood, it is important to do so, ideally in low-polluted environments and far from the center of cities, and the practice of aerobic exercise, at least a 20-minute walk at a good pace daily. It is equally important to avoid staying in closed, smoke-laden environments that saturate the lungs with carbon dioxide.

Night rest is also clearly perceived on the skin. In this sense, it is important to sleep about seven hours a day to relax the muscles and allow the skin to regenerate, which is more intense at night.

B. Hydration

Water is essential to maintain the high metabolic activity of the skin, as well as its plasticity. A healthy and radiant skin It contains water, in different proportions, depending on the depth: 70% in the dermis, 30% in the epidermis and only 15% in the most superficial layer, the stratum corneum.

In a natural way, the water rises from the inside to the surface, while the cells, which also rise from the dermis, lose water and cellular components. In the last layer we only have hollow, dead and dry cells that end up falling out. Well, whether the pace of this renewal is correct depends, to a great extent, on its being sufficient. And the water we drink must be enough and it will reach the skin, from the inside, through the blood. Every day we should drink the well-known "liter and a half" of water to hydrate our entire body, something that will also be reflected in the appearance of the skin. At the same time, it will be important to limit the "thieves" of water such as coffee and alcohol since to eliminate them, our body will consume a significant amount of water.

At the same time, from the outside, we must provide the skin with cosmetics that provide water, fatty substances and moisturizing substances in order to maintain or reproduce the so-called “hydrolipidic mantle”, which is the natural emulsion that covers our skin and maintains hydration. It is logical to think that they will be the more effective the more similar their components are to those of this natural skin emulsion. That is why many incorporate: lactic and hyaluronic acids, urea, proteoglycans ...

C. Protection

There is no doubt that the sun's ultraviolet rays cause cumulative damage to the skin that manifests itself in the short term with aging and in the long term with skin cancer.

To maintain healthy skin, it is important that the sun is taken in moderation and always with sunscreen, which we will apply before leaving home and as many times as necessary. It will also be important to protect the skin from intense cold and heat as they cause further dehydration. In extreme cold situations, slightly more greasy creams that exert a "barrier effect" against the loss of water to the outside are more recommended and provide more comfort.

Internally, the protection will be given to us by the diet. Healthy skin is impossible if your diet does not contain all the vitamins and trace elements found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamins such as C from citrus fruits, which is a natural antioxidant, like E from avocado and olive oil, provitamin A from carrots, which is directly involved in the formation of epithelia, B from whole grains … In short, it is advisable to follow a varied Mediterranean diet without forgetting the contribution of proteins (which must represent at least 15% of the total daily caloric intake), essential for the skin to maintain a youthful turgor.

If there are gestures that benefit it, it is logical that we also talk about those that harm the skin.

Take note:

• Drink little water.
• Follow aggressive restrictive diets.
• Use diuretics that in the medium term leave the skin like parchment.
• Wash with aggressive detergents or clean excessively.
• Exposing yourself to the sun without protection.
• Do not sleep.
• Going out without any product that acts as a cover, at least a basic moisturizer.