Skin is an amazing thing. Using a mid-evil metaphor, it acts as the walls of a castle for the body. It keeps unwanted things out unless it is penetrated. At the same time, it allows those inside to leave as they want. In short, skin is both permeable and waterproof.
Skin goes through an aging process much like the body and person as a whole. To verify this, you need just look at the skin of a baby versus a grandfather. The ravages of time, pollution, food intake and the sun can be seen in the stark contrast.
The fact that your skin ages over time is probably not a surprise. Why, then, do you not alter the way you care for it? There are various stages of skin maturation, so lets cover them and how the skin should be treated during each.
Let's start at the very beginning. A baby is new to the world and so is its skin. Undamaged, soft, flexible, it is a virgin surface that hasn't been impacted by the wind, pollution and sun exposure. Clean with mild soap and stay out of the sun.
If you don't believe your skin is tough, consider our next phase of life. Being a kid is all about investigating your environment and lots of boo boos! Skin should be washed every day and sunscreen should be used before going outside.
Being a teen can be really tough and your skin doesn't exactly help. Your body starts taking leaps in maturity and your skin can be a nightmare with pimples and such. Washing twice a day helps. Moisturizers are a bad idea, but Retin-A is not.
As you move into your twenties, your skin starts to settle down. Oil production should slow down, a relief for many people. Keep using sunscreen. Depending on your skin type, it may also be time to start using moisturizers regularly.
As you roll into your 30s, the concept of wrinkles springs up. Moisturizer should be used daily to fight them off. You are in a stage now where your skin is going to slowly degrade over time, so paying attention to it is critical.
Your forties can be a tough time from a skin perspective. You will notice a significant drop off in the elasticity and sheen of your skin. Moisturizers should remain a critical part of your life and anti-aging products may be wise.
50? You probably never envisioned yourself in this position, but there you are. You really need to watch your skin closely. It is not rebounding well, so use moisturizers, treat cuts, drink lots of water and eat well.
Our bodies are absolutely amazing and no more so than our skin. Can you think anything else in your life that lasts for 50, 60, 70, 80 years or more being exposed to the elements each day? Probably not. Keep it in good condition!
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