Skin Care = Self Care

Life is busy.  We live in 2012 - racing around, pushing our minds, our bodies and our devices to be faster and faster, cramming in activities with family, friends, kids, and professional obligations.  So, as we approach the supposed "golden days of summer" it seems like a fitting time to look at self care and specifically, skin care.

Maybe you're like me and wake to the alarm on your smartphone, peering down at emails, task lists, the weather report and Facebook posts with barely one eye open (truly!), before you've even taken a moment to get out of bed and greet the day.  The adrenaline jolt supercedes my need for caffeine in the morning, but likely it's not doing much for my stress management and cortisol levels.

Maybe you're morning routine is a frantic search for what to wear, what to bring with you and how to juggle the different obligations you'll meet throughout the day. Grab some breakfast on the go, wash it down with some coffee or tea and you're out the door.

Do you take time to think about your skin? Seriously? Maybe not.  Or maybe only during your morning makeup application, in an effort to conceal your not-so-favorite spots and brighten up your complexion? What about the rest of your body? Maybe some days? Maybe not.

Well I'm here to tell you that Skin Care = Self Care.

Believe it or not, your skin says a lot about your well-being, your lifestyle, your nutrition and your stress levels.   As one of the most important parts of the body, your skin interacts with the environment and is your first line of defense against external factors, like rapid temperature change, dehydration, and pathogens.

• Stress can make psoriasis or rosacea worse, result in acne that is more inflamed and more persistent, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails, cause hair loss, cause or worsen hives, and cause excessive perspiration.

• Stress also is a known trigger or can be a worsening factor for fever blisters, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and has even been shown to impair skin barrier function and dehydrate the skin — allowing more irritants, allergens, and infectious agents to penetrate the skin and cause problems.

• Add lack of sleep and lack of exercise along with a poor diet and you've got a recipe for unhappy skin and unhappy you. 

Caring for your skin - face, body, nails and hair - requires more than jumping on the bandwagon of the next beauty sensation, or popping in for a quick mani-pedi.
Skin Care = Self Care.

Just as you may spend time considering diet and exercise or the food choices you give your family, remember that the skin care choices you make (or don't make) can affect your overall well-being, and alternately all of the other choices you make can affect your skin.  As we all prepare for summertime and more outdoor time, this is a friendly reminder to take extra precautions to care for your self and your skin, because stressed skin can be susceptible skin.  Take care of your self and protect your skin.  

Stay tuned for next post when I'll share some Skin Care Survival Tips!

In the meantime, check out http://www.oliebiologique.com to learn about organic & natural skin care choices and maybe pick up a sample today!