The Skin Your Are In
“Put your best face forward,” so I’ve been told. Why you ask? Your skin is what people see first.
Why not show others you’re best all the time? Show others that you care about them by taking care of you!
We take care of ourselves. We eat healthy, exercise, and try to be a good person. If you were told you have a problem with your heart or kidneys, you would take care of it. Do we consciously take care of our skin? We slap on some body lotion in the winter. I wash my face twice a day. For most of us, that is all we do.
The skin is the largest organ in/on our body. It is a protective organ. We never think about it! It is ignored, abused, and we don’t give it a second thought. What can you do to keep your skin in ship shape, intact, and properly working for you? Do you have skin color unevenness? Is it hydrated?
Your face is the first thing that people see when they meet you. Do you look like you care about yourself? Because if you don’t they won’t. Find a skincare system that works for you. Evaluate what you can live with your face and what you want to change. Be faithful to it. Adjust your skincare from time to time, winter and summer, changes in your life. As we age there are changes – wrinkles, spots, and freckles.
Let’s stop there for a minute. You meet someone and shake hands. Their hands are dry and scratchy. YUG! Do they have a job that is involved with handwashing, dust, chemicals, or temperature extremes? Why not slather lotion on their hands? What do you think? 4 possibilities come to mind.
- They don’t care about themselves.
- They don’t use lotions enough.
- They don’t see the importance of using a lotion to keep their skin intact.
- Dry cracked skin on your hands is so painful.
The rest of your skin protects you from the environment. The world is a harsh place.
Anyone who has had poison ivy can attest to that. The oils from the plant can cause a rash and ITCH!! There are bees, ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects that attack our skin triggering a response.
Something we have limited control over are medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins. Some have directions to stay out of the sun (they exacerbate sunburn). Others can cause dermatitis (inflamed skin), rashes, and skin discolorations.
Our skin has bacteria in and out. They are protective of us to keep out the “bad” bacteria. The “bad” bacteria are opportunistic. The use of antimicrobial on our hands is ok. Judicious use of that soap all the time on your body is what is needed.
One thing you might not know, your skin is a mirror of what is going on inside you. If you don’t drink enough water it can be dry. Changes in color, for example, yellow – you ate too many carrots, you are taking medications that add that color to your skin or you have pancreatic issues. If you have diabetes, because of the increased sugar in your body, you are more prone to fungal infections. Stressed or perceived stress can flare psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, cold sores, and breakouts.
Putting your best skin forward makes great first impressions. It also keeps you healthy and happy.
LOOK AT YOUR SKIN
APPRECIATE IT
LOVE IT
TAKE CARE OF IT.
Donna Emschweiler Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
Photo credit: Ricardo Garcia ~ Instagram @ricardografia