October 30, 2020

How to Glow Up: Tips for Healthy Skin Month

November encompasses sweater weather, all things pumpkin, and amazing food (gobble, gobble)! In a normal year, it’s the start of the holiday season in which families gather, laughter is shared, and grandma won’t let you leave without a basket of cookies. But, as more families are considering virtual gatherings, you might be thinking about how to be camera ready. What most people don’t know is that November is also National Healthy Skin Month. So get out your sunscreen, start exfoliating, and don’t forget to moisturize because we are breaking down the best ways to achieve healthy skin and get that much needed glow up before wintertime.

Time to Get A Spot Check

Did you know that the late fall and winter months are some of the best times to get a full body screening? Your skin is at its palest during these months which makes it much easier for your dermatologist to check for potentially harmful spots, irregular moles, and discoloration [1]. Going to your dermatologist once a year for a check-up is a must for healthy skin!

Apply Sunscreen, Everyday

We’ve said this one before, and we will repeat ourselves: APPLY SUNSCREEN. Sunscreen is a the most powerful weapon against skin cancer. Without it, ultraviolet rays can do irreparable damage to your skin (even when the sun is hidden behind the clouds). According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays [2].

Exfoliate and Moisturize

Proper exfoliation removes the barrier of dead skin cells that clog your pores and uncovers fresh new cells. This process will allow any moisturizing or hydrating products to penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, which in turn will make them as effective as they were designed to be. Depending on your skin type, we recommend exfoliating once to twice per week with a gentle scrub to avoid over-exfoliation (which can have opposite and damaging effects!) Our Whipped Sugar Scrub is perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Use our Intense Moisturizing Crème to lock in moisture after scrubbing away the toxins for a healthy, dewy glow.

Hydrate Daily

Sometimes the simplest actions can make the biggest impact. Make sure to drink eight glasses of water per day for optimal glowing skin. Water helps remove toxins from the blood, making your skin clear and dewy. Drinking water also balances your lymphatic system and generates the production of new blood and muscle cells, which in turn promotes healthy skin.

Choose Your Skincare Products Wisely

Always consult with your skin care professional before using skincare products, especially if you have sensitive skin. There are many products which contain additives that can damage the skin, increase skin aging, and even increase skin cancer risk. Make sure to read the ingredients list carefully and avoid products containing phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), and synthetic fragrance. (If you were wondering, our products do not contain any of these harmful ingredients!)

November is the perfect time to be reminded of the importance of maintaining healthy skin. One of the main goals of National Healthy Skin Month is to inform the public how to protect their skin and increase the overall knowledge of essential skincare tips to keep your skin healthy! According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3.5 million Americans are reported to have skin cancer every year [3]. The good news is that most skin problems, including skin cancer, can be prevented through proper skincare. So start that glow up today and protect yourself in the future by following these skin care tips.

Sources:

[1] “November Is National Healthy Skin Month!” Anne Arundel Dermatology, 22 Nov. 2018, aadermatology.com/november-national-healthy-skin-month/.

[2] “Sunscreen FAQs.” Sunscreen and Sun Safety, American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen patients/sunscreen-faqs.

[3] “Skin Cancer: Skin Cancer Facts: Common Skin Cancer Types.” American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer.html.