Dr. Jeremy Burgess/Science Photo Library
Our skin is not only our largest organ, it is also the one we are most familiar with. We constantly look, touch, clean, inspect. And yet when we think of care, our minds often jump to aesthetics. We are inundated with advertisements for lotions and potions that promise to improve our appearance, as if sex appeal is all that matters about this special organ.
However, apart from cosmetic considerations, there are many other reasons to take care of our skin. According to new research, it may have its own status effects on the rest of the body. Because of the dense network of blood vessels running beneath the surface, inflammation that starts in the skin can easily spread to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia, for example. Wrinkles are not just a projection of our age – can actually promote the aging process. And so we should think of it like skin care exercises: the best reason to do it is not for looks, but for the undeniable health benefits.
Ensuring our epidermis is in good condition should therefore be a priority for anyone looking to increase their chances of living a long life, which is why we’ve put together a special report on what we know about the best ways to look after it (see “Why taking care of your skin is so important for long-term health”).
Taking a scientific approach can help us make decisions about new products
As evidence builds about the importance of skin to overall health, research into how to care for it is moving away from health product marketing campaigns and into the realm of proper scientific study.
We now know that certain foods reduce damage caused by air pollution and the sun’s UV rays, for example, and it may be possible to nourish his microbiome through more regular contact with nature. Taking a scientific approach can also help us evaluate new fads and fads so we can make informed decisions about goods and services that have proven benefits beyond quick-fix claims.
Beauty may not be skin deep, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to protect our bodies from the outside. It can save our skins more than once.
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