10 Rules for Healthier & Better Looking Skin

The Skin is an organ, mind it, project it, look after it...because after all, you have it for life.

I'm a big believer in that if you focus on good skin care, you really won't need a lot of makeup.

Rule 1. Specific care for each skin type. In order to take care of and respect your skin, first and foremost make sure to choose products specially designed for your skin type. Dry skin does not have the same needs as oily skin.

Rule 2. Pay special attention to fragile areas. Some parts of your face (eye contour, lips, etc.) have particularly fine, fragile skin. They need specific care, especially the eye contour and the lips. These areas of your face are more sensitive and deserve special attention.

Rule 3. Gentle cleansing. Taking care of sensitive skin begins with make-up removal.  In order not to stress your skin and to respect its natural balance, make sure to use a pH-neutral make-up remover, specially formulated to cleanse your epidermis gently.

Rule 4. Eyes: a risk area. The eye contour skin is ten times finer than the skin on the rest of the face. Choose a specific routine for make-up removal in this area.

Rule 5. Exfoliation is indispensable. Use a suitable exfoliation treatment once or twice a week. It must be effective yet gentle and respectful. Choose a pH-neutral exfoliation product, which is perfect for smoothing and purifying the skin while respecting its natural balance.

Rule 6. Moisturising is essential. The dermis is made up of 70% water and the epidermis, 15%. In order to keep the skin well moisturised, it is important to choose daily moisturising skin care products that balance the level of water within the skin. You may also use a moisturising mask regularly.

Rule 7. Hypoallergenic make-up. To avoid the risk of allergies linked to the use of products that are not suited to your skin, there is also hypoallergenic make-up specially formulated to meet the needs of all skin and eye types, even sensitive skin

Rule 8. Sun protection!!!! I cannot stress this enough! Whatever the season, choose daily skincare products that include solar filters/SPF. We are told to use SPF on a daily basis – even in the depths of winter. And with many of us still planning on taking a holiday to the sun this summer, we need to be even more vigilant than normal with higher temperatures and increased risk of sunburn too. SPF reduce the harmful effects of the sun, which accelerates skin ageing.

Rule 9. Watch out for external stress. Pollution, smoke, stress… All these have harmful effects on the skin. Use skincare products to protect your skin against these daily stresses before leaving the house and cleanse your skin thoroughly in the evening.

Rule 10. WATER! Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 litres) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 litres) of total beverages a day.

The Skin

"The beauty of the skin is that you can affect it from both inside and out," 

The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Skin has three layers:

The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.

The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.

The skin’s colour is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.

The exposed layer of skin we're slathering with lotions, creams, toners, scrubs and cleansers is called the epidermis -- it's the outermost of the three layers of skin. The epidermis is the most vulnerable to environmental damage, typically UV light that can leave it discoloured and old-looking; and skin in general undergoes an ageing process that can leave it looking dull, wrinkled and dry. 

What You Eat Matters

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants is good for your whole body, including your skin.

Antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins C, E, and A can curb the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules can harm skin cells and cause signs of ageing.

One of the best ways to get more antioxidants is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

I recommend going for as much variety and colour as possible in your diet, try snacking on blueberries, strawberries, grapefruit, kale, spinach, and different kinds of peppers.

Another good idea is to stock your grocery cart with foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, including wild salmon, sardines, fortified eggs, and walnuts.

Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the top outer layer of the skin strong and intact so that external toxins and pollutants are kept out.

What About Supplements?

The ideal way to get the nutrients you need for a radiant complexion is eating a healthy, balanced diet.

but also taking an over-the-counter daily multivitamin with minerals to boost your nutrient intake can be very beneficial. It's also a good idea if you spend a lot of time outdoors or are exposed to high levels of air pollution and secondhand smoke.