The skin is the largest sense organ in the body. The total skin cover is about twenty square feet.

Why is Skin Health important?

Skin health is essential for your good appearance. But above that, skin health is more critical because skin performs many tasks in our body. People care so much for their skin that the cosmetic industry has become one of today’s leading industries. Skin problems cause equal if not more psychological issues than physical suffering.

Skin conditions range from a harmless rash to the most severe diseases like skin cancers. Moreover, factors like age, geography, climate, ethnicity, etc., influence the texture and tone of the skin. Hence the presentations of skin diseases vary considerably worldwide.

Functions of Skin

• The skin is a protective barrier against mechanical, thermal and physical injury and hazardous substances.
• The skin is a sense organ and detects touch and temperature.
• The skin prevents loss of moisture.
• The skin helps to reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
• The skin helps to regulate temperature.
• The skin helps in the excretion of toxins through sweat.
• The skin helps in the production of Vitamin D.

Structure of the skin

The skin has three layers, namely the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.

The epidermis is the outermost layer. From the epidermis, the dead cells shed continuously, and the new ones formed. Thus our skin is constantly being regenerated.

The dermis includes sweat glands, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands.

The subcutaneous layer is made up of connective tissue and fat.

Common skin problems

• Acne
• Eczema
• Urticaria
• Sunburn
• Fungal infections
• Contact dermatitis

Ayurvedic aspects

Ayurveda discusses skin in detail. Ayurveda explains skincare through preventive, protective, and curative aspects.

Preventive measures include Dinacharya (daily routine) and Ritucharya(seasonal ritual). Protective measures consist of applying the medicinal paste for enhancing skin tone and using medicines to improve skin texture. An example is Rakthachandana (Santalum).

Skin tips in Ayurveda

Internal

a) Diet: Practise a healthy diet. Skin needs Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids.

 Fresh fruits and leafy vegetables, lentils, fatty fish, avocados, and nuts are some of them.

b )Drink plenty of pure water: Drinking water helps keep your body hydrated and helps to maintain skin elasticity.

c) Rejuvenating drugs(Rasayana): The intake of rejuvenating drugs nourishes the skin. Some of the choices are Chyavanaprasham and Narasimha Rasayanam.

External

a) Cleanse your skin: Clean your skin with pure, cold water daily.

b )Moisturizing: Extremely dry skin and oily skin are harmful to the skin and cause many skin diseases. So moisture your skin daily.

Daily application of medicated oil helps in moisturizing. Oil massage is explained as one of the daily regimens in Ayurveda. The selection of the medicated oil depends on the nature of the skin.

Eladi Keram, Nalpamaradi coconut oil, Dinesavalyadi coconut oil, Lakshadi Keram are some of the choices depending on the skin conditions and nature.

Sitaram Eladi soap is a medicated oil (Eladi Keram) based preparation that moisturizes the skin.

Sitaram Lakshadi soap is another medicated oil (Lakshadi Keram) based preparation that nourishes the skin.

c) Application of herbs like turmeric, santalum, saffron, neem, etc. accordingly improves skin health.

Lifestyle changes

a)Good sleep: Try to have a night of proper sleep at night for at least seven hours. Studies show skin makes new collagen while sleeping. Therefore good sleep helps to prevent the sagging of skin.

b)Avoid stress: Stress produces harmful chemical responses in the body, which are detrimental to the skin. Practise meditation or yoga under supervision will help.

c)Avoid cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption

Face Glow

Eladi Gana Choornam, Sitaram Soundarya Choornam advised for enhancing the face glow. The (Choornam) powder is made into a paste with a suitable liquid medium like milk, lukewarm water, etc., applied over the face.

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