11 Habits to Make or Break for Soft, Flawless Skin:

Your skin is the obvious appearance of who or what you are, or perhaps would like to be. However, it is much more than just a simple mask. It is the largest organ of our body, which is a complex and highly dynamic system that plays a very crucial role in your general well-being. Your skin even sometimes reflects your health as well. It’s your body’s canvas and one of its most valuable assets.

Knowing how important your skin is, you should do something great for it. Perhaps starting a healthy habit is the most primary move to take as this helps our valued possession from outer and inner sources.

Skin is composed of two layers, a surface epithelium, known as the epidermis, and a deeper connective tissue, known as the dermis. The epidermis is composed of five layers of cells, of which the two deepest layers (the stratum basale and stratum spinosum) have the capability of undergoing mitosis and forming more cells. If you cut a piece of skin out (both epidermis and dermis) the cells of the stratum basale around the cut edges undergo very rapid mitosis and form an epithelial layer on the surface of the wound, composed of a single layer of cells. Then this single layer of cells will, in time, reform the original thickness (all five layers of the epidermis). So even though it can regenerate, it is the only skin we have and is worth protecting.

Three Habits to Break

Is your skin as soft and healthy as you’d like? You may be sabotaging it without even knowing. So here are three of the habits that you must break as they wreak havoc on your skin. Note them in order to attain a beautiful and healthy skin.

Bad Habit #1: Shaving Dry

It is important to note that shaving legs and underarms dry can cause irritation, ingrown hairs and razor burn. So, to nurture the skin, softening it in the shower for about 10 minutes is worth considering. Most experts will tell you the same thing if they’re asked. After softening up your skin with the warm water, apply a layer of shaving cream and not soap. Soap will just dull the razor and invite cuts. You can use hair conditioner to help soften the hair first if it's especially coarse. Just let it sit for a while, rinse thoroughly, then apply your shaving foam or gel.

Long upward strokes are best on legs. Short side to side and up and down strokes may be necessary on the underarm, where hair grows all directions. Shave upwards on the pubic area.

Avoid shaving when you first get up in the morning. Body fluids make the skin puffier. After 20 to 30 minutes the skin becomes tauter and the hair shaft more exposed.

Use dry skin lotion regularly on areas you've shaved. It will help reduce irritation, itching, and soften the skin and hair follicles. It will reduce the discomfort caused by "stubble" in between shaves, as well. If you find that lotion irritates your skin right after shaving, you can use baby oil; you’ll get the same results without the irritation.

Bad Habit #2: Ignoring Incidental Sun Exposure

It is true that walking from your car, or wherever you may be, to the office in the sun may not be as damaging as spending hours baking on the beach (though it isn’t nearly as fun). However, it is important to understand that even just a few minutes of exposure here and there doesn’t mean that you won’t get wrinkles. It can bring on wrinkles just the same. For that, you should try wearing a daily SPF lotion specially formulated for facial application. Many experts suggest brands of SPF lotion like the Clinique and Neutrogena as they have versions that really work well under makeup.

If you don’t like to use a moisturizer under your makeup foundation, Revlon’s Age Defying Foundation has an SPF of 30; Shiseido, ColorScience and most other cosmetic companies also make a foundation containing SPF.

Bad Habit #3: Avoiding Exfoliation

Exfoliating the skin is the act of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. If you just ignore exfoliation, dead skin cells will start to block the pores, cause blackheads and make skin surface look dull, and cause itchiness and rashes, especially in unpredictable or dry weather. Exfoliation gently removes these dead cells and reveals new softer, clearer and glowing skin. It also helps in boosting the blood circulation, and makes penetration easier for products like serums that nourish the skin. So, it is often recommended that you scrub your skin daily with a puff, a loofah, a pumice stone or a grainy exfoliator to help sweep rough skin away. The most effective way to exfoliate is to use circular motion to remove the dead skin, then use vertical motion to wipe the body clean of the scrub particles. Be extra gentle when exfoliating your face. Rinse with water and pat dry with soft towel.

Apply moisturizer on your face and body lotion on the body after exfoliating to lock in softness.

Nine Habits to Maintain

Now that you know about the three bad habits to break, it is time for you to consider what habits to maintain in order to have the best looking skin you could possibly have. Most dermatologists consider the following habits the best practices if you want a clear complexion. So, if you want your skin to be on its behavior, you need to change your habits now for the better and follow these few simple rules.

Good Habit #1: Avoid Using Too Many Cosmetics

Numerous experts have said that with more and more beauty potions with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), antioxidants, salicylic acids, and retinoids in them, using a cleanser from one line with a scrub or daytime moisturizer from another, then a night cream from yet another brand can lead to over-exfoliation as well as irritation. This can cause some real problems, especially for those women who have olive and darker complexions. This can also be a problem for women who are more prone to redness and rashes when their skin is irritated.

To play it safe, it is important that you stick with only one line of products, and only use a line of products that are formulated to work together. If you use any prescription products like the famous Renova, the advice of your dermatologist is highly needed. Ask your specialist how to mix prescription treatments with over the counter cosmetic products. And remember to not over-use beauty products.

Good Habit #2: Consider a Healthy Exercise

Exercise is great for beautiful skin, so performing at least twenty to thirty minutes of any aerobic exercise is worth considering. It will give your skin a beautiful glow; one of the reasons for this is the fact that exercise boosts blood flow bringing more nutrients to the skin. However, it is important to be aware that the accumulation of sebum or oil through perspiration can result in sweatband acne, folliculitis, as well as spiky heat. But, don’t worry; there is a simple solution for this – shower as soon as possible after exercising.

Good Habit #3: Intimate with the Phone? Don’t Be!

Experts believe that constant rubbing on the mouthpiece of your phone may lead to rashes around the chin and mouth. So, it is important that when talking to somebody on the phone, hold the phone away from your mouth a little bit. Also, clean the phone often with a mild soapy solution or a cotton ball dampened with a little rubbing alcohol.

Good Habit #4: Examine Your Birthday Suit for Spots

When it comes to skin care, any sudden or suspicious-looking mole, bump or other growth on the skin is a reason to see a dermatologist. As skin cancer rates climb higher every year, having a full body check up by a professional is very important. This is especially true for those us from the baby-oil-and-iodine, pre-sunscreen generation.

Also, those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, a lot of moles, fair skin, or light eyes or hair, should consult a specialist for a regular skin check up. Regular examinations should start in your teens and probably no later than age 35. However, even if you do not belong in a high risk group, it is still recommended that between the ages of 20 and 40, you have a cancer-related check up. The check up should include skin exam and must be considered every three to four years. Once you hit your 40s, start undergoing a cancer-related examination with skin exam every year. Aside from that, it is advisable that you do monthly self-exams in order for you to keep an eye out for changes and growths.

If you have a mole and your dermatologist has determined it’s benign, you can easily remove it using essential oil treatments. Just apply 1 - 2 drops of undiluted, therapy grade, Oregano essential oil to the mole 2 – 3 times a day until it’s gone.

Good Habit #5: Eat Healthy Foods

Healthy foods refer to those foods that help your skin and body fight against free radicals and other forces that damage your skin. You must consider antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E as they are highly potent protectors against sun damage and certain cancers, including skin cancer. This is actually the reason that makes antioxidants essential to your health. Along with this, a well balanced diet is highly recommended. This means getting comfortable with a diet filled with at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, plus a multivitamin that meets the RDA standards.

Good Habit #6: Avoid Wearing Your Makeup to Bed at Night

If you’re like me, you know this isn’t good for your skin but you just sometimes do it anyway. By leaving your makeup on overnight, the layers of foundation, powder and even blusher can cause the skin pores to clog and lead to acne or folliculitis, and what’s worse is it doesn’t matter how old you are! Knowing this then, you know you should take it all off before bed. However, you don’t need to waste your money on a cleanser with glycolic acid or AHAs; it’s not on your face long enough to absorb into the skin. The mentioned ingredients are more effective in your moisturizer than in your cleanser.

Good Habit #7: Hands off Those Zits

We all get zits, that’s the cold ugly truth. But, it doesn’t mean that we have to let them ruin our lives. Aside from trying to prevent them in the first place, once you do get one, never poke, prod, squeeze or pick at them. These actions can just prolong a zit’s life, make the problem worse, and may even lead to scarring as well as spread of infection. So, to speed up healing, never squeeze or poke them. Simply cleanse your face, and then apply a warm compress, like a clean and damp wash cloth. Then, gently dab on an over the counter cream or lotion containing a drying agent like the salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur; these formulas can be pretty harsh on your skin sometimes though.

To treat your acne without the drying and burning that can accompany the use of the over-the-counter products, try a solution of 5% tea tree essential oil in a carrier. Whenever I get the occasional break-out, (yes, even at almost 50 years old!) I mix 9 drops of therapy grade tea tree essential oil with ½ ounce of sweet almond. Use this mixture the same way you’d use the over-the-counter acne medication. It has proven to be just as effective as those with 5% benzoyl peroxide without the dryness, redness, burning and itching.

Good Habit #8: Rest and Get Enough Sleep

Way too many of us don’t get enough sleep and are stressed. Actually, there haven’t been any conclusive studies on how being tired affects the condition of the skin, but, they’re not generally hard to detect. One of the most common effects is under-eye circles. To avoid whatever unfavorable effects there may be, you must budget in sleep time. This may include a short afternoon nap whenever you can manage it. Also, don’t sleep in the same position all night every night as this can lead to wrinkles. You may even want to consider looking for a special pillow that helps prevent sleep creases on your face.

Good Habit #9: Drink Plenty of Water

The bottom line here is to drink plenty of water every day, make it your “signature”. I’m sure you already know that drinking water keeps you hydrated which helps your skin to look and feel better. So, get in the standard of 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses throughout the day, more if you are a heavy exerciser. And, if you are into low-cal liquids, drink even more water to avoid dehydration. Most of all the low-calorie drinks use sugar substitutes which are all de-hydrating to your system.

There are a lot of habits that we usually ignore, thinking that they don’t play a significant role in our lives. But, the truth is, everything we do has a corresponding effect and role in our health that needs to be revealed and considered. If attaining beautiful skin and general well-being is an important goal for you, then a healthy lifestyle is worth maintaining. Remember, your daily habits mean everything.

© ThunderWolf June 9, 2007