Our skin has amazing capabilities. It can stretch to accommodate growing
babies, can heal after being cut, and is an outward representation of
how healthy we are. How we treat our skin can make us look youthful and
radiant, or sickly, old and unhealthy. Depending on the choices you make
on a daily basis, you could be improving your skin quality or damaging
it, and those choices could be as simple as using the right toothpaste.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology as many as 50 million people in the U.S. struggle with acne and spend over $2.2 billion dollars annually to treat it. Cases range from mild to severe, but wherever you might fall on the spectrum, there are some basic changes you can make to your daily routines that may help reduce the appearance of redness and acne and help you look more youthful and healthy overall.
Go Fluoride Free
Believe it or not, what you are brushing your teeth with could have a negative impact on your skin. While we are not at all advocating poor dental hygiene, take a closer look at the type of toothpaste you are using. Dermatologists have found that brushing with toothpastes that have added fluoride or cinnamon can cause a redness and scaling around the mouth that looks like pimples. This type of reaction is called Perioral Dermatitis and is sometimes confused with acne because it can come and go for years and resembles an acne breakout. However, Perioral Dermatitis is actually a rash and a reaction to toothpaste. If you suffer from red, bumpy, scaly “pimples” mostly concentrated around your mouth and nose, take a look at your toothpaste before attempting other treatments. If your toothpaste contains added fluoride or cinnamon flavoring, try switching to a brand without for a few months and see if your symptoms improve.
Go Green
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love, and perhaps need, a hot cup of coffee in the morning? Many of us count on caffeine to kick start our mornings. But by trading your morning cup of joe for a morning cup of green tea you could benefit from the tea’s anti-inflammatory properties and potentially reduce the appearance of red, blotchy skin. Experts argue as to whether coffee is good or bad for you, but there is no argument that green tea carries substantial health benefits, some of which translate into better-looking skin.
Go to Bed
Just like the rest of your body, your skin needs uninterrupted time to repair itself while you sleep. If you don’t get the sleep you need, your body can suffer from numerous ailments, and so can your skin. When your body lacks the proper amount of sleep (at least 7-8 hours per night), you put stress on your entire body. This stress triggers your body to release adrenaline and cortisol which can make your skin look older, can increase problems with eczema, psoriasis, acne breakouts, and other skin ailments. Lack of sleep also interferes with your skin’s collagen production, an essential component to maintaining your skin’s elasticity. Lack of collagen causes your skin to look more aged and worn rather than youthful in appearance.
Your skin has the power to make you look healthy and youthful, or unhealthy, tired and aged depending on how well you take care of it. By making these simple changes a part of your daily routine, you can help your skin stay young, vibrant and healthy.
