A Body of Evidence Your Skin Affects Your Health – Talking Skincare, March 2024, by Reviva Labs

Webinar by Reviva Labs recorded March 21, 2024 - Your skin is your largest organ, so it makes sense that it not only reflects your overall health but also affects it too.

One of the good parts of my day is talking with customers. Many have used our products for years or even decades. But on occasion I talk with someone that has truly experienced a transformation in their skin because of our products.

One recent conversation saw a frustrated teenager who had been struggling with mild acne. She had tried some things she saw on TikTok and slathered benzyl peroxide all over her pimples. But things weren’t improving.

And so, she finally reached out and asked, “Mom, can you help me?” Yes, it was my teen daughter. Even though her father and I work together at Reviva, she was hesitant to ask for help.

Now her issue with blemishes was minor – and a quick adjustment to her routine helped re-balance her skin. And we set aside the benzyl peroxide swapping it for a simple daily routine. And that worked for her. But it was the discussion about her skin and how it was reflecting what her body was going through that inspired today’s webinar.

Your skin often telegraphs other issues in your body. For her, it was being a teenager. But I’ve spoken to countless customers who were helped by our skin care before, during, and after varying illnesses. Some saw a change in their skin early and others later. But their skin was signaling something, even if they didn’t recognize it until they asked for help.

As the largest organ of the body, the skin’s primary function is to protect us against environmental threats. While there’s a genetic component to how our skin looks, the skin can be greatly affected by how we live and the choices we make.  In fact, you can tell a lot about someone’s health just by looking at their skin. 

Smoking cigarettes is a classic example of a lifestyle choice that negatively affects skin.  Dull, pallid skin with fine lines, especially around the mouth is typical after years of smoking. Smoking destroys collagen and elastin in the skin causing it to age more rapidly.

Another example – eating poorly, especially a diet high in processed foods and sugar can be reflected in your skin. Poor eating habits can trigger inflammation leading to breakouts, dullness, and an accelerated aging. The skin is often an early indicator of insulin resistance too – with color changes and skin tags and other early signs. Conversely, a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help enhance your skin’s health and help it appear more vibrant and youthful.

Regardless of good or bad habits, any dramatic change in your skin’s appearance can be a signal that something is off internally. Case in point, adult hormonal acne. Hormonal changes typically coincide with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause. But if you experience acne at unusual times, or if you’re male, then your skin could be indicating there’s an underlying issue.

Another example is eczema. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, scaly, and itchy skin. The most common form of eczema, atopic eczema, is a result of an overactive immune system that causes the skin barrier to become dry and itchy.

While researchers don’t know the exact cause of eczema, it does seem to run in families and is often triggered by environmental factors. Many people with eczema also report having hay fever and food allergies as well as a family history of asthma. Again, it’s your skin reflecting internal inflammation.

Psoriasis, often initially confused with eczema, is an autoimmune disease and is often linked to health issues like diabetes or heart disease. Psoriasis triggers skin cells, on the outer layer of the skin, to reproduce rapidly causing thick, dry patches that are red with white or silvery scales. These patches are called plaques.

Stress or illness can trigger flare ups and cause plaques to become irritated. Psoriasis often runs in families but not everyone at genetic risk develops it.

Overall, stress can have a profound impact on the skin. Experiencing stress releases the hormone cortisol, that can lead to increased oil production and the break down of collagen and elastin in the skin. It can also cause hives or other types of rashes to appear.

Stress is yet another illustration of how our psychological well-being is interconnected with skin health, emphasizing the importance of managing stress for a clearer complexion.

A good example of how stress affects our skin, and our appearance is the long-documented effect being President has on the individual. Presidents often look much older and more haggard when their term or terms end.

Then there’s the sun.

Excessive unprotected sun exposure can lead to wrinkles and age spots and increases the risk of skin cancer. Our bodies and minds need to experience sunshine, but it has an effect. The skin’s role as a protective barrier can be jeopardized by both external and internal health.

Damaged skin also presents health risks. If your skin is not functioning optimally then it won’t be an effective barrier. This means bad things, such as bacteria, may get past it triggering more issues. Similarly, damaged skin can contribute to moisture loss causing a cascade of skin issues from dryness to flaking to cracking.

It’s well documented that premature aging of the skin is accelerated by lifestyle factors such as too much sun, smoking, poor diet, and stress. All these factors affect our overall health and in turn impact our skin’s appearance – but unhealthy-looking skin can be an early indicator of broader health issues.

Finally, the skin plays a crucial role in sensory perception, affecting our interactions with the environment. The skin contains a vast network of nerve endings that allow us to feel temperature, pressure, and pain, all of which connects us to the world around us. This sensory function is vital for our survival and well being, making skin health paramount to our overall sensory experience.

Hopefully by now, it’s clear our skin reflects our broader health and well being. By taking care of our skin through proper nutrition, hydration, stress management, and protecting it against environmental harms, we’re not just fostering a radiant complexion; we’re also supporting our overall health.

So, the next time you think about your skin care routine, remember that it’s not just about beauty—it’s about nurturing your body’s health from the outside in and the inside out.

Thank you for watching Talking Skincare with Reviva Labs.

To continue the discussion – join us at 3 pm Eastern Time on Instagram LIVE.

And be sure to visit revivalabs.com to register for our next webinar: Keep Your Skincare Stupidly Simple.

Until next month, Bye Bye.