Keys to Healthy Skin
Maintaining long-term skin health involves preventing sun damage, slowing the ageing process, and reducing the risk of skin cancer and disease. Healthy skin is often clear, with fewer blemishes, lines, wrinkles, and less sagging.
Skin health is closely linked to overall health, with factors like hormones, diet, and stress playing important roles. Here are some key steps to achieve healthy skin:
- Follow a low-glycaemic diet rich in plant foods and fibre.
- Destress and unwind, incorporating suitable exercise and being kind to yourself
- Limit UV exposure.
- Use effective topical skincare.
- Consider laser, light, and energy skin treatments.
Let’s focus on skincare, assuming the other factors are in place.
Vitamin A (Retinol):
Retinol is a vital skincare ingredient available in various forms, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid (tretinoin). It boosts collagen production in both deep and surface layers of the skin, improving texture, reducing wrinkles, and evening out pigmentation. Retinol also supports skin immune function and helps balance the skin’s microbiome. It’s particularly beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions like acne and atopic dermatitis.
Retinol can cause initial irritation, redness, and scaling when you start using it, but these effects usually subside after a few weeks. It’s best to start with light or timed applications. Patience is key, as the benefits of retinol become evident over months of consistent use.
Vitamin C:
Topical Vitamin C offers multiple skin health benefits. It shields the skin from UV damage, reduces sunburn, and helps repair sun-damaged skin. Vitamin C also improves skin roughness and wrinkles by boosting collagen production and is useful for treating hyperpigmentation, particularly in managing melasma.
For best results, use Vitamin C alongside antioxidants, which enhance its stability and effectiveness. However, those with acne-prone or inflamed skin might find it less suitable.
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide):
Niacinamide is another powerful skincare ingredient. It reduces inflammation in acne and rosacea, minimizes pore size, and improves hyperpigmentation. It’s gentle on the skin, well-tolerated, and a staple in any skincare routine.
Next Month: Laser, Light & Energy Devices for Skin Health.
By Dr David Main
