Did you know that the colors you wear can influence how your skin appears? When you wear the “right” colors for you, they will brighten your skin tone, even the complexion, and make you appear rested and younger.
The “wrong” colors will do just the opposite, making it appear less attractive. But color alone can’t make our skin healthy, it’s essential that we create a good skincare regimen to keep our complexion radiant!
We think of our skin as our outside covering. But it is also our inside barrier from our mouth all the way thru our digestive tract. In a funny way, we are just one big donut or tube! In fact, our epidermis is the largest organ in our body.
We need to protect our outside skin and avoid environmental irritant, allergen, or cosmetic products that can lead to upsets, as in dry, red, itchy patches and more. Skin reactions are the by-product of hypervigilant immune system skin cells, called Langerhans cells, thrown into overdrive by stress or direct contact with environmental allergens.
The way to heal sensitive or damaged skin is to repair and strengthen its moisture barrier. When we compromise this moisture barrier, it increases moisture loss causing heightened inflammatory response and lessens the skin’s ability to self-repair. This in turn further increases moisture loss, and the cycle continues. So be kind to your skin! Here are some tips for nurturing your skin by Kate Rodan, M.D and Kathy Fields of Rodan and Fields Dermatologists:
- Do not be too aggressive with your skincare routine or life
- Use physical sun blockers such as zinc oxide and avoid chemical sunscreens
- Avoid hot showers, steam rooms, and sauna baths
- Avoid washcloths or loofahs: use only a smooth sponge
- Always be gentle when touching skin
- Avoid alcohol, propylene glycol, and glycolic acids
- Skip the toner
- Stick with fragrance-free formulas of any skin product
- Find moisturizers that help repair the skin’s sensitive barrier
- Apply a thin layer of hypoallergenic moisturizer to skin while it is still moist
- Use a humidifier in a dry environment
- Do your best not to scratch or rub the skin
- See your dermatologist
Once you strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and calm down the heightened inflammatory response, then you can reintegrate the toners and exfoliating products as you skin can tolerate them.
Material taken from Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change
Kate Rodan, M.D. & Kathy Fields
With Lori Bush
I’m excited to offer R+F Skincare products through my new website!