Skin care has always been an issue, and in some instances very complicated. Our ethnicity, lifestyle, environment and diet all contribute to the makeup of our skin.
“There is no such thing as ‘good skin’ or ‘bad skin,’ but there is healthy skin, skin with minor challenges, and skin with significant disease,” said Dr. Victoria Barbosa, assistant professor of dermatology at Rush University in Chicago. “Even people with healthy skin have minor challenges sometimes, like an occasional pimple, dryness, or discoloration.”
Looking and feeling good creates positive self-esteem. Barbosa mentioned skin that is not healthy might not function properly. Acquiring healthy skin requires taking care of it on a daily basis and handling a problem as soon as it arises.
“The skin is your body's first defense against the outside world. It protects you from infection, helps to maintain your body's temperature, helps you maintain water inside, and rids you of toxins, among other things,” Barbosa said.
Makeup artist Jennifer Wilder said skin complications vary depending on if an individual is dry, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive.
“When a client has normal skin or good skin, it is definitely a smoother experience when working with them; makeup appears like a second skin,” she said. “When skin is complicated or has irritations and blemishes, it creates a need for more coverage and creates editing for any photo shoot.”
Wilder suggests obtaining healthy skin means more people should be cautious of what they eat. “Certain things we eat can hinder our efforts to obtain healthy skin. You are definitely what you eat and as gross as it may sound, pores reveal it all,” she said.
Maintaining healthy skin is a responsibility within itself and being consistent is key. “Acquiring it can be summed up in one word: regimen. A healthy diet, cleansing routine, exercise, rest and maintenance all contribute,” said Wilder.
“We all shy away from consistency from time to time, but never neglect your face.” She believes a major complication that will ultimately affect our skin is aging, which is why we have to do everything we can to protect it. “Wear fresh products at all times, check expiration dates, read ingredients, cleanse and hydrate your skin. Less is more, and if you don't have to wear it, don't,” said Wilder.
According to Barbosa, as we get older our pigmentation changes, the skin gets thinner, dry, loses some elasticity and wrinkles develop. “Some of the changes are genetic and just based on the passing of time; this is called chronological aging. Some of the changes are based on repeated sun exposure called photo aging and can be prevented,” she said.
Dr. Barbosa’s Tips on Maintaining Healthy Skin:
• Develop a morning and an evening routine for skin care.
• Find the right skin care products. (Flaky skin can be exfoliated with mild exfoliating washes or with chemical exfoliates that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid or lactic acid.)
• Use sunscreen every day and reapply it every two hours when you are outside. (Your morning regimen should conclude with a sunscreen, regardless of your skin tone.) Dry skin can be managed with moisturizers. Creams are more moisturizing than lotions and are better for people with very dry, itchy skin.
• Drink lots of water, at least eight glasses a day. Do not pick at your skin.
• See a dermatologist for an annual skin exam and any time you have a new skin problem.
