There are many external factors that affect the skin.

Stress and anxiety, for example. They can manifest themselves in several ways with symptoms even rather evident on our skin, especially due to the production of cortisol, the main stress hormone, and its effect on our skin barrier.


During periods of anxiety and stress, there is an increased production of cortisol that can cause an increasing production of sebum of the skin, can make us more prone to “rashes” and have side effects, such as:
– Increased inflammation
– Slower healing of wounds

Anxiety and stress, moreover, can worsen existing conditions, such as in the case of acne, urticaria, but also psoriasis and can lead to premature aging of the skin.
Decreasing anxiety and stress can help a lot to restore the proper balance of the skin, but it is not a cure. Depending on the situation, the dermatologist will decide which treatments could solve the problem.
The climate and temperatures can also affect the health of our skin.

Sunlight
Sunlight taken in moderation is good for our general well-being, but too much sun can damage the skin. The sun’s rays affect the skin in several ways:
– UVB rays, in fact, are responsible for sunburn.
– In addition, UVB rays and, to a lesser extent, UVA rays have been linked with DNA damage that can cause skin cancer.
– UVA rays can cause premature skin aging (photo-aging).
– UVA and UVB can cause hyperpigmentation and can contribute to conditions such as age spots (also known as sunspots).

Temperature
Extreme temperatures, and the rate of change between temperatures, affect the skin.
In cold weather conditions the skin reacts by forcing the blood vessels to protect the body from excessive heat loss. Very low temperatures reduce the secretion of the sebaceous glands and cause skin dryness.
In warm and humid climate conditions (for example in tropical countries or in a sauna) the sweat glands produce more sweat making the skin moist and shiny.
Low humidity, for example in aircraft cabins or in rooms with central heating, can make the skin dehydrated and increase sensitivity.
There are other things that can affect the skin.

Diet
A balanced diet helps to keep your skin healthy:
– Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins are all good for your skin.
– A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fat and carbohydrates can promote a younger appearance.
– Foods rich in antioxidants seem to have beneficial and protective effects. They include for example carrots and apricots, blueberries, spinach, tomatoes, peas, beans and lentils, Omega Oil-rich fish and nuts.


Diets that exclude a particular type of food and its nutritional values, in general, are not good for skin health. However, it is advisable to limit the intake of sweets and dairy products. It is also important to drink a lot of water, especially for older people.
A healthy lifestyle can help delay the natural aging process and prevent skin problems.

Exercise
Regular exercise has a positive impact on both skin health and overall well-being.

Sleep
Sleeping well at night gives the whole body the opportunity to regenerate and this contributes to skin renewal. It is recommended to sleep 6-8 hours per night, indeed.

Quit smoking
Cigarette smoking is one of the main sources of free radicals. Smoking makes the skin appear older and contributes to the formation of wrinkles because:
-it narrow the tiny blood vessels in the inner layers of the skin. This decreases blood circulation and deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients such as Vitamin A;
-it damage collagen and elastin: the fibers that give the skin its strength and elasticity;

Manage stress
If you do not keep yourself under control, stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne. Stress must be kept under control by reducing the workload (when and if possible), taking time for leisure activities and relaxation techniques can help.

In conclusion, we can say that a lot of different factors can influence the general health of our skin and it’s up to us to adjust all that kind of actions that can damage it.
And you? Do you take care of yourself and your skin?