“Skin care must be good enough to eat!”
― Joanna Runciman
The First Line of Defense
For healthy skin, I focus on eating nutrient-dense foods, exercising daily, and exfoliating regularly using the sauna.
To moisturize my skin, I used aloe vera.
Knowing my skin is the first line of defense and the primary barrier between my internal body and the environment, I do my best to protect it.
I nurture my skin with the following:
- Using filtered water for body wash
- Getting sufficient sunlight (or supplementing with vitamin D)
- Sleeping eight to nine hours
- Eating dark and leafy vegetables
- Drinking plenty of clean water
Practicing the above daily gives me the best chance to have healthy skin.
The Biggest Organ in the Body
With a total of about twenty square feet,[1] your skin is your biggest organ which helps you with the following:
- Regulates body temperature
- Protects you from your surroundings
- Allows you to feel the warm and cold sensations
The skin is composed of three layers which are:
- Epidermis – The outermost layer is waterproof and provides your skin tone. Melanocytes are the special cells that produce the pigment melanin which generates your skin color.
- Dermis – This second layer has connective tissue, sweat glands, and hair follicles.
- Hypodermis – The third and deepest part of subcutaneous tissue has both fat and connective tissue. Its main task for hypodermis is to create new cells. This is important because the body loses many dead skin cells throughout the day because of the many activities we do. Hypodermis helps our skin look young and healthy.
Skin Absorption
The rate your body absorbs materials varies depending on the following factors:[2]
- Product quantity
- Contact time
- The solubility of the material
- The physical condition of the body part exposed
This might sound extreme, but if you’re not willing to eat your skin products, don’t put them on your skin. That’s because what you put on your body can permeate through your skin and get into the body.
For example, don’t wash your face or take a shower with water you wouldn’t drink, because the minerals found in the water can pass through your skin over time.
Also, the solubility of those chemicals is increased at higher temperatures, which means they can be absorbed by the body at a faster rate.
As for most skincare products, they contain harmful compounds, toxins, and chemicals that are linked to negative health effects and cancer. Some common harmful ingredients found in cosmetic products[3] include the following:
- Paraben – It is linked to causing breast cancer.
- Synthetic colors – Compounds used can be carcinogens and are skin irritants.
- Fragrance – These chemicals can cause allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and problems for the reproductive system.
- Phthalate – It is correlated to causing breast cancer and reproductive birth defects.
- Triclosan – It is a skin irritant that can disrupt functions in the thyroid and reproductive hormones.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)/Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) – They can cause problems in the kidney and respiratory system.
- Formaldehyde – It is an allergen that can cause cancers of the nose.
- Toluene – This skin irritant can affect your respiratory system and cause nausea.
- Propylene glycol – It is a skin irritant that can cause dermatitis.
- Sunscreen chemicals – They can cause damage to your cells and cancer.
Most, if not all, toxins are found in makeup products, body wash, deodorant, shampoo, facial cleansers, perfume and cologne, moisturizers, hairspray, toothpaste, and sunscreen.
To limit your exposure to these chemicals, avoid using skincare products as much as possible. But if you must, use those that have a short ingredient list which is usually the least harmful.
Closing Thoughts
Your skin is your first line of defense and your biggest organ.
Therefore, do your best to protect and nourish it. The healthiest way is to fuel your body with what it wants – nutrient-dense foods, regular exercise, and proper rest.
When health problems arise, they will most likely first show on your skin, whether it’s your skin tone or any dermal inflammation.
When they appear, take corrective action and start treating your body with the utmost care.
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Footnote References:
[1]Hoffman, Matthew. “Picture of the Skin.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-skin#1.
[2]“Absorption (Skin).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Mar. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_(skin).
[3]“Cosmetics.” US Food and Drug Administration Home Page, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/default.htm.
