Skin Hygiene And Why It’s Important?

Skin hygiene is much more than simply being clean. It encompasses a number of practices that improve your overall health and well being. Practicing good skin hygiene is essential for several reasons, including the fact that it helps prevent the spread of illnesses and disease and because it helps us feel good about ourselves and our bodies. Good skin hygiene also helps fight the signs of aging, leaving your skin looking renewed and supple. 

About Skin and Good Hygiene

Skin is comprised of layers, each having its own unique elements. The outside layer is called the epidermis, the part of your skin you can see. At the base of the epidermis, new skin cells are constantly forming and when they’re ready, they begin to move toward the top layer of the epidermis (a process that takes between 2 weeks to 4 weeks). As new cells move up, the older cells near the top die, at which time they rise to the skin’s surface. What you’re seeing when you look at your body are actually dead skin cells – removing these cells from the skin’s surface is the key to healthy skin hygiene.

The Importance of Good Skin Hygiene

Proper skin hygiene is essential because dirty skin can lead to the growth of pathogenic organisms. The dead cells that continually slough off the epidermis mix with the secretions of sebaceous glands, sweat and the dust found on the skin form a filthy layer on its surface. If the dead cells aren’t washed away, they end up mixing with the sweat, sebaceous secretions and dirt, causing the dead skin to decompose which produces a foul smell; really gross when you think about it. In addition, the skin’s functions are negatively affected when it’s excessively dirty; making it easier to damage, making it more susceptible to developing infections.

3 Skin Hygiene Steps for a Healthy, Young Looking Skin

1. Cleansing

First and foremost, find a high quality cleanser that your skin responds effectively to, and keep using it. If you have dry skin, look for a cleanser that’s creamy, milkish type; if you have oily skin, use a gel cleanser. Take care not to over cleanse your skin with the most important time being before you go to bed to wash away makeup, dirt and/or sunscreen which can clog pores. Apply warm water to loosen the dirt. Next just a dab on cleanser and rinse with lukewarm water. Always avoid using cold or hot water because either can lead to broken capillaries. Dermatouch Oxygen Cleanser is a great, gentle daily facial cleanser that’s enriched with Certified Organic Extracts and Vitamins E, A and C that will leave your skin smooth and with a youthful glow.

2. Exfoliating

Once you start exfoliating your skin, you’ll notice an immediate improvement.  You can exfoliate your skin by putting a dab of cleanser on a moist washcloth and massaging the cleanser into your skin in a gentle, circular motion. Follow with a quick rinse and you’ll notice that the signs of dead skin have been improved. Dermatouch M.E.D. Exfoliation will help remove excess sebum and cellular debris that accumulates over time.  You can also exfoliate your skin with chemical peels, micro-dermabrasion and retinoids. The safest options however are scrubs that gently remove the top layer of dead skin cells that dull your complexion. If you decide to use a scrub, make sure to choose a gentle one with tiny grains. Facial scrubs with big grains can tear the skin, causing more harm than good.

3. Moisturizing

If you are prone to dry skin, invest in a basic but high quality moisturizer. How much you should use comes down to your skin type, the weather, etc. If your skin is feeling tight, it’s begging for moisture.  Dermatouch Skin Care Oxygen Day Protector is the perfect example of a high quality, anti-aging moisturizer that helps restore the skin’s natural moisture, allows for deep protein penetration, improves elasticity and it is good for all skin types. Dermatouch also has a great nightly moisturizer that provides the skin with essential amino acids and promotes the skin’s natural moisture called Dermatouch Oxygen Night Protector.