Your skin is your biggest organ and it plays a vital role in keeping you together – literally! But many people don’t realize just how much care their skin requires. From the soles of your feet to the top of your head, each area of your skin requires its own care and attention. This might sound intense but once you are into your beauty routine, it’s more about keeping an eye on problem areas.
So without further ado, let’s look at a few of the issues you might encounter from top to toe!
Scalp
An itchy, flaky scalp is often a sign that there is an imbalance somewhere. It might be something as simple as the wrong shampoo but it may be an indication that you have a hormone imbalance or you are not eating a balanced diet. Lots of dandruff may also be an indication that you have a fungal infection in which case you may need to buy a special shampoo.
The good news is that for the most part, washing your hair 2 – 3 times a week with a gentle shampoo is the best thing you can do. Brushing your hair will also help to remove dead skin cells. Massaging your scalp is also good for you – especially if you are a headache sufferer. Essentially, the main thing to remember is that everything that is good for your hair is probably good for your scalp!
Face
Your face is probably where your skin gets the most attention. At the end of the day, you should always make sure that you take all your makeup off properly. A regular cleanse and moisturizing routine is a good way to keep blemish free but you might also consider adding an exfoliator. Why is exfoliation so important? Well, mainly because this is the best way to remove dead skin cells that may cause blocked pores.
You might also want to consider using a foundation with SPF to protect your skin from the sun. The UVA and UVB rays can have a damaging effect on your skin causing premature aging and uneven coloring. Even in the winter, a light SPF will help to protect your skin.
Lots of people suffer with regular acne breakouts and for women, that pesky monthly cycle can really get in the way of perfect skin. There is plenty of advice for treating acne on the internet but really, your first port of call should be your doctor. They will be able to prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the bacteria that causes the painful swelling but may also recommend new treatments such as red light therapy. The best you can do is to keep your face clean with a wash every day and try to avoid touching your face.
Decolletage
It might surprise you but this area is particularly sensitive and may need some extra care and attention. The sun, once again, may be a problem here so ensuring that you wear suitable SPF is vital. Your age can really show here so looking after this delicate skin is important.
A firming cream might be a good idea if you are a side sleeper and already starting to get wrinkles in this area. If you are particularly worried about wrinkles then learning to sleep on your back will help. Similarly, an anti-wrinkle cream should permeate deeper levels, plumping up the skin and minimizing wrinkles.
Moisturizer should never be underestimated when used on thinner areas of skin. Massage the whole area using circular motions that work up from your chest, to the tip of your chin. This will invigorate your skin and encouraging blood flow.
Body
Just because your body isn’t necessarily on show all the time doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be looked after just as well as other areas. There are lots of lotions and moisturizers you can use after you shower to rehydrate your skin but essential oils are always a nice way to introduce other nutrients.
Look out for dry spots such as your elbows which may crack in cold weather. Once again, moisturizer is your friend here but a butter such as mango butter, cocoa butter or shea butter might help. The thicker the concoction, the longer it should stay on your skin giving it plenty of time to sink in. Of course, if you are on the go and feeling sore then vaseline is the obvious go-to you’ll already have in your handbag.
There are lots of products specifically aimed at women who worry about their vagina but you should rest assured that the vagina is completely self-cleaning and doesn’t require any fancy products let alone the eggs Gwyneth Paltrow sells. Simple soap and water will clean this area and you should definitely avoid any steaming as this can really mess up the balance in there!
Hands
Your hands go through a lot in the day and looking after them can feel like an uphill battle. Keeping your hands clean is essential for warding off bacteria and avoiding the spread of viruses so washing them regularly is a good idea. The best advice is not to bother with antibacterial soap as this is no more effective than regular soap. The main thing is that you wash and dry your hands properly.
The only problem with being so clean is that your hands can end up feeling dry as a consequence. If you can, always use a lotion after washing and drying your hands to lock in the moisture. Keeping a hand cream in your purse is an excellent plan for ensuring that your hands stay nice and soft on the go.
Your cuticles should also get a mention here as they are the best protection you have from bacteria trying to invade your nail beds. Cutting your cuticles improperly is a very bad plan as this can lead to infection – a much better method is to gently soak your fingertips in warm water and then push them back with a warm towel. If you want even more information then this article from a hand model is definitely what you should be reading.
Feet
Just like your hands, your feet deserve a little respect and TLC. Taking a minute to properly wash your feet with a cloth – getting right in between your toes – is the best way to avoid any bacteria build-up or fungal infection. While your skin is soft, you should use a pumice stone to remove any hard skin on your heel or the ball of your foot.
Just like the rest of your skin, prolonged soaking won’t help the balance of natural oils in your skin. This means that once you have showered, used the pumice stone and dried your feet off, you should use some lotion to replenish the oils in your skin. If you do this at night, putting breathable socks on will help keep the moisture in.
If you do get an infection the sooner you treat it the better. Some fungal infections can take a while to go so be patient and stick to your care routine. Make sure that you change your shoes and socks every day – rotating between different pairs through the week is probably your best bet.
Looking after your skin is usually a case of common sense but some problems will naturally flare up from time to time. Knowing how to deal with these issues quickly should prevent more serious problems so having a quick fix like a hand cream in your bag can work wonders.
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