Most people equate healthy skin with good overall health. When we see someone whose skin glows, we can see that they take good care of not only their skin, but also of their body. Conversely, when we see someone with dull, lifeless skin, we can wonder if they are ill or if they simply have not responded well to the way aging has taken hold of their body. In any case, getting healthy looking skin is a priority for many women (and men) in today's society. Anything that might be able to help the skin repair and protect itself from damage is like the quest for the fountain of youth.

What Causes Skin Problems?

There are as many skin problems as there are people to complain about them, it seems. While some people consider skin problems to be lumped only into issues with acne, others believe that skin problems are more due to the hands of time rather than the outside influence of dirt or stress. In the end, skin problems are caused by five main factors:

Heredity – The fact remains that some people are generally predisposed to having troubles with acne and oil production, just as others are more likely to have troubles with dry and aging skin.

Aging – As the skin ages, it loses its elasticity, causing it to appear sagged and wrinkled. The skin is not producing the collagen it once was, which can lead to surface issues and texture problems as well.

Environmental – Because the world is filled with toxins and pollutants at any time, the skin is going to come into contact with these contaminants. Things like free radicals accumulate in the air, causing the skin to be attacked and become damaged.

Hormones – As many teenagers have been able to attest to, the changing of hormones can also change the appearance of skin. During pregnancy as well, a woman's skin can change, appearing red and blotchy in some cases.

Sun Damage – The sun is the leading cause of aging as well as skin cancer, thus the appearance of the skin is going to be damaged in the process. The sun causes the molecular structure of the skin to change, leading to permanent damage in some cases. The results of sun damage may not be visible for ten to twenty years later, making it a sneaky problem.

Common Cures for Skin Issues

When people begin to see changes in their skin, they look for answers to help them make their appearance more appealing. There are four main ways to help in this regard:

Remove the damaged skin – The skin naturally replaces old skin cells with new ones, allowing the skin to become new looking again. But as age sets in, this process can become slower, thus it becomes necessary for those dull cells to be removed through dermabrasion, exfoliation, or chemical peels.

Use medication – Some skin issues (like acne) are caused by bacterial infection which can be treated with antibiotics. Other more severe lines, wrinkles, and acne can also be treated with prescription creams.

Use anti-aging products – With new ingredients like idebenone and retinol, skin creams and lotions are available without a dermatologist to help a person rejuvenate their own skin as well as repair damage.

Change of diet and addition of supplements – Because the skin is the largest organ in the body, adding supplements or making diet changes can help the body produce newer and younger looking skin more quickly.

Of course, protecting the skin from damage is one of the easiest steps towards helping your skin retain its youthful appearance. By wearing sunscreen every day, you can reduce most of the signs of aging before they appear.

Nurturing Skin from the Inside Out

With fish oil, you can begin to accelerate the skin rejuvenation process. This supplement is highly recommended by aestheticians and spa specialists as the first line of defence (besides sunscreen) against the signs of aging. Because fish oil helps the body perform cellular repair more easily, the supplementation can help to keep moisture in the skin, which allows it to look fuller and healthier.

Fish oil has also been linked with helping the heart work more efficiently, which will help oxygen to flow to the skin cells more rapidly. This allows your skin to repair itself without having any outside help.

In addition, choosing to add fish to the diet two times a week is also a healthy way to ensure that you are nurturing your skin from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water also helps to flush out the skin as well as eating a nutrient packed diet that limits fats, oils, and sugars.

Conclusion

While you can't stop the hands of time forever, there are ways to slow them down. Fish oil supplementation is a simple step that anyone can take to help the body prevent the skin from looking older than it is. And unlike topical medications, this skin saving step is easy to remember.