Let me start by saying your skin is an amazing organ.
Your skin provides a protective barrier between you and your world; it regulates variations in your body temperature; it’s a sensory organ that detects heat, cold, touch and pain: your amazing skin, the one organ of the body other than your eyes that is visible. Not only a protective covering for your body, your skin shapes who you are; its social and sensual implications can be a source of confidence or expose vulnerabilities.
Yep, it’s a wonder to behold. An indication of what lies beneath, a mirror of our inner health, and as your largest organ, it also plays a crucial role in your immunity and prevents the loss of valuable moisture from the body.
But we’re not done yet; your skin synthesises Vitamin D from the sun while at the same time protecting you from its harmful rays.
Worth looking after? From my perspective, I think it is, and not just for the sake of our vanity, but for our overall health.
But it’s ageless skin you want.
Sure, we all want skin that appears ageless, and can we dare hope for it? Is there a secret those that seem to have ageless skin know about?
Well, to be honest about this, if I knew the secret, I’d share it with you; there’s no secret, nor does an ageless skin exist. However, healthy skin that remains that way as we age might be a better way to approach ageless skin.
And while you might think it’s too late, I’m here to assure you healthy; glowing skin is within your reach.
No matter what your age or the damage that may have occurred, you can improve on what you have, and that’s something worth believing, as your skin has a remarkable ability in to repair itself. Okay, you may not get JLo’s glow, but you can make it better.
So while ageless skin is a nice idea, healthy skin where skin conditions are resolved easily is an excellent goal to have. You may even find, despite your age, your healthy skin is, well, ageless.
But where do you start?
Finding skin care solutions can be daunting, despite the enormous amount of information available. If only everyone were in consensus on what you should do.
Your best friend, the woman you met at dinner last weekend, the thousands of influencers on social media, the beauty editor who, let’s face it knows more than anyone!!
Perhaps tackling your skin care challenges and looking for solutions should be approached like an episode of “couples therapy.” Get a professional opinion and then do the exact opposite. Just kidding, don’t do the exact opposite, but seeking out a professional opinion from someone who’s studied the skin is the best place to start!
But wait, their advice will only be as good as the information you provide and whether you decide to trust them.
How do you find a solution when you can’t name the problem?
So what do you tell them, what information do they need, and should you trust them?
How you care for your skin now and in the past will be crucial as sometimes, like any struggling relationship, the problems started long ago, and they’re only bubbling up to the surface now.
If you’ve ever struggled with communication in a relationship with a partner, friend, or loved one who can’t or won’t see the problem, how will you ever find a solution?
So, just like any talk therapist worth the degree on their wall, your skin therapist will start with a series of questions as a way to understand the history of your skin.
They’ll also study your skin under a magnifying light.
What are they looking for?
If it was me?
- I’d want to know what it was about your skin that bothered you and what you felt you’d like to change about your skin.
- I’d ask about your diet and nutrition and the lifestyle choices you’ve made up until now and whether any of the four big-ass ages, smoking, the sun, alcohol and sugar may be contributing to the condition of your skin.
- I’d ask about your current skincare routine and whether you think it was all working, and what you’ve done in the past in your younger years.
- Did you believe it was worth your time and money, and how many products have found a comfy spot in your bathroom cabinet? I know they languish, lost and abandoned until your next house guest takes a peek and tries them out. How much of your hard-earned money is tied up on the shelves of your bathroom cabinet?
- I’d also want to know if, despite all the money you’ve spent, you believed the appearance of your skin was essential to your overall health and well-being or whether it was a vanity project. Spoiler alert, it’s not!
- Or, if you thought skincare could make a difference, or was it all just hyped-up marketing?
- I’d also ask how much time you gave a product before you gave up on the promises that were once made to you.
- And if, when you purchased those products, anyone advised you on the condition of your skin before they recommended them.
And eventually, I’d take a closer look at your skin.
- Perhaps your skin tone is a little on the pink side and becoming more irritated and red. Is it flakey?
- How visible are your pores?
- Is your skin looking thirsty to the point of dehydration?
- Are the visible signs of ageing caused by the sun, such as lines, wrinkles and pigmentation and sun spots beginning to show up?
And finally, I’d find out if whoever sold those products to you could explain them to you.
The Four Big Skin Agers.
Committing to a long-term relationship with your skin.
Caring for your skin, the largest organ of your body is no different from looking after other aspects of your health; your heart, lungs, liver, weight, and blood sugar. Caring for your skin impacts your overall health, circulation, the fight against infection and the war on free radical damage.
It’s all worth doing for the health of your skin but also for your confidence, your state of mind, your moods, and your mental and physical well-being. I know some may scoff, but caring for your skin is emotional self-care.
It’s worth believing you can improve your skin no matter what age or damage is already done. Not just a better skin now, but a better one in five, ten, fifteen years. What you do today will show on your face well into the future.
Skincare is a long-game proposition, and with the right advice and a commitment to self-care, you’ll find maintaining overall skin health can contribute to a timeless, ageless appearance, and we all want that, right?
And now you? Do you have a question, or would you like some skincare advice? You can ask me anything here. I’d love to hear from you.
See you next time,
