Financial Blog

We want you to have perfect skin all year round.

According to a survey by RealSelf.com, the most important practice dermatologists recommended for healthy skin is to apply sunscreen every day. We don’t usually notice, but we are subjected to harmful UVA and UVB rays even indoors. These rays can not only cause short term effects like sunburns but also long term effects such as wrinkles, age spots, and at worst, skin cancer. So look for the most suitable UV protection for your skin—it should have at least SPF 30 for daily use and SPF 50 for days spent outdoors. Reapply every few hours depending on your daily activities.

Besides the health hazards smoking is known for, smoking is also bad for your skin. It promotes premature aging and wrinkles as a result of poor blood circulation which is needed to rejuvenate and regenerate skin tissue. Experts say that smokers look 1.4 years older than non-smokers on average. If you do not want to look older than you are (and want to live longer!), please stop smoking.

When you get home at the end of the day, your bed sings a siren song so irresistible. Before you know it, it’s already 6AM and you’ve got raccoon eyes. Besides looking like Pocahontas’ best friend, sleeping with your makeup on is bad for your skin for a number of reasons: (1) the makeup traps dirt and particles from the air causing potential irritation, (2) your pores are clogged causing bacteria buildup and acne, and (3) the skin cells on your face cannot “breathe” causing dullness and blackheads.

Did you know that a simple habit such as drinking water can do wonders for your skin? Just like any other part of your body, your skin is made up of cells filled with water. If you don’t drink enough water to replenish the amount lost throughout the day, your skin cells become hungry – this manifests itself through dry skin. The effects of drinking sufficient water will not happen overnight, but in a few months you will notice that your skin is clearer and softer. So drink up!

Do you notice that your skin looks worse when you lack sleep? Sleep deprivation causes your body to create more cortisol, the hormone that gives you energy. But cortisol also causes an increased level of stress and inflammation, increasing the risk of skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. If you already have an existing skin problem, lack of sleep will exacerbate it. In addition, your damaged cells are unable to regenerate, accelerating the aging process.

We associate numerous Korean women with their dewy, beautiful skin. This is the result of the extreme importance they give to a consistent skincare regimen—something we can learn from them. The basics are similar, no matter what kind of skin you have. You have to cleanse and moisturize, although it might take more than a couple of steps to accomplish those. The key is to be consistent because results do not happen overnight. But once you see that your routine is making a difference, you’ll wish that you discovered this earlier.

Just like how you have to see your dentist every six months, you also have to go for regular visits to the dermatologist. The suggested frequency is once a year. Our untrained eye might be missing out on certain problems that may be signs of our overall health, but a doctor would know better. The skin is our body’s biggest organ, so it is also susceptible to wearing down. So just like with the rest of your body, you’d want to make sure that your skin is happy and healthy.