What does your Skin say about your Health?……………Actually quite a lot!

What does your Skin say about your Health? Actually, quite a lot!

The Skin is the largest organ in the body and has a total area of about 20 square feet. It consists of three layers; the epidermis – the outer layer which creates our skin tone, the dermis – the middle layer  which contains connective tissue, hair follicles and sweat glands, and the hypodermis – the deep inner layer which is made up of fat and connective tissue.

Our Skin reflects not just what is going on inside our bodies but also how we are feeling. Emotions such as worry, joy, grief and stress are all reflected on the face and as we age, we develop fine lines and wrinkles. These do occur over time but may also indicate an imbalance in the body.

We all know that when we feel great and relaxed, this shows up on our face. We have a healthy glow about us. On the other hand, when we are ill and suffering from a cold or virus, we look pale and tired. If we are dehydrated, our skin appears very dry but when we drink lots of water, our skin tone is improved and appears soft and supple. Our skin reflects our inner health.

Conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, pimples, eczema and dermatitis all present on the skin surface, but their causes lie within the body and can indicate the state of our health.

Acne and pimples often present during adolescence or even pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body. They can also occur as a result of stress. A diet rich in sugar and carbohydrates can cause a flare up too.

Dermatitis and eczema usually occur due to an immune system imbalance. This can be from an allergy, sensitivity, an inherited gene, environmental factor or even stress.

Psoriasis is considered to be an autoimmune condition where there is a problem with the action and production of certain white blood cells. It may lie dormant for years only to be activated by stress.

Dry skin may indicate dehydration but may also hint at a thyroid imbalance. A bright red, flushed face may occur if your skin is very sensitive to temperature changes but may also indicate high blood pressure. Dark circles under our eyes will show that we are tired, but may also hint at a kidney or liver problem.

There are many, many skin products on the market and it is a billion dollar industry. There are all sorts of promises made about reducing fine lines and wrinkles and making you appear younger. Many products are great and will hydrate your skin and help it to retain its tone and appearance while many others won’t.

However to really improve the state of your skin, both on your face and all over your body, you need to look at the state of your health and not just the products you put on it.

Are you drinking enough water to hydrate your skin and improve its tone? Are you eating a healthy diet with lots of green vegetables to nourish your cells? Are you exercising regularly to increase circulation and oxygen to your skin? Are you finding ways to reduce stress in your life?

Our health comes from within our body – how we treat it and what we put into it. Hormone imbalances, allergies, stress and immune issues all occur within. Our Skin protects us, regulates our body temperature and allows us to feel sensations such as touch.

However the appearance of our Skin and how it looks and feels is dependent on the state of our overall Health.

So look a little deeper than ‘Skin deep’ if you want to find the real cause behind your skin issues.

Take care,

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: www.mayoclinic.org, www.webmd.com, www.healthline.com, Photo by Coline Hasle on Unsplash

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.