When we think about healthy skin, most of us instinctively reach for creams, serums, and the latest skincare trends. But your skin’s health is influenced by far more than your vanity shelf. From how you bathe to what you eat and even your sleep habits, your skin tells the story of your lifestyle.
In this article, we explore essential skin health takeaways across four key pillars: Lip Care, Bathing, Lifestyle, and Nutrition. Each area contributes to radiant, resilient skin from the inside out.
💋 Lip Care: More Than Just Balm
Your lips are uniquely vulnerable. They lack oil and sweat glands, which means they dry out easily and rely solely on external hydration.
Key Takeaways:
- Lips dry out easily due to the absence of oil glands.
- Chapping is a cry for help—your lips are trying to retain moisture.
- That “tingling” from lip balms? Often it’s irritation which just makes it worse.
- Lip licking does more harm than good—saliva enzymes dry out the lips further.
Lip Balm 101:
Look for products containing:
- Humectants + Occlusives + SPF
- Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid
- Petrolatum, Beeswax, or Lanolin
- SPF 30 or higher
Avoid: Menthol (in high concentrations), camphor, and synthetic fragrances. This can be irritating to the lips and further exacerbate dryness.
🚿 Bathing: Done Right, It Supports Skin Barrier Health
Bathing can refresh or dehydrate your skin—depending on how you do it.
Key Takeaways:
- You don’t need to shower daily unless you’re sweating.
- Use lukewarm water and limit showers to 5–7 minutes.
- Soap only sweaty areas; opt for gentle cleansers without fragrance or sulfates.
- Pat skin dry and moisturize immediately after drying.
Bonus: Short baths can hydrate. Long, hot ones? Not so much. And a warm bath before bed? It helps you sleep better by triggering melatonin release.
🌙 Lifestyle: Beyond Skincare—Your Daily Habits Matter
Your daily routines—sleep, sex, stress—impact your skin more than you might think.
Key Takeaways:
- Smoking and alcohol sabotage your skin from within. Smoking immediately robs your body of essential nutrients, oxygen and fills all parts of the body with carcinogens, which damage DNA and interrupt the body’s ability to effectively heal. Alcohol severely dehydrates the cells in your body, and the skin and hair are always first to suffer from dehydration. Additionally, alcohol consumption inhibits your body’s ability to effectively absorb and utilize essential vitamins and minerals. So even if you are eating well – if you’re drinking alcohol on a regular basis, your body isn’t getting any of the good stuff, and you’re just increasing the inflammation and damage. It all starts with dry hair and skin, and then turns into fine lines and wrinkles, and eventually, organ failure.
- Sleep is essential. During rest, your body repairs itself—including your skin. Your skin starts to regenerate between the hours of 9pm and 4am. So getting good sleep is essential for fresh-looking skin!
Poor Sleep Can Cause:
- Compromised skin barrier
- Dry, sallow skin
- Puffy eyes and dark circles
- Diminished collagen production
Yes, Sex Helps Too!
- Boosts circulation and collagen
- Increases oxygen and estrogen
- Reduces cortisol (your stress hormone)
All of this supports a plumper, brighter complexion.
🥗 Nutrition: Your Skin Looks How You Eat
Even the best skincare products can’t outdo a poor diet.
Great-for-skin foods include:
- Lean proteins (fish, beans, white meat chicken)
- Healthy fats (like avocado, salmon and nuts)
- Hydrating foods (cucumbers, watermelon)
- Antioxidant-rich foods (berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits)
Watch Out For:
- Dairy, sugar, and processed foods—they promote inflammation and acne – not to mention they HACK your immune system!
- It’s not the oil in pizza causing acne—it’s the sugar! Sugar in excess causes all kinds of problems – even bad skin.
Final Thoughts
Your skin is an organ, and like any other, it thrives on balance, nourishment, and care. By aligning your lip care, hygiene habits, lifestyle choices, and diet with skin-supportive practices, you don’t just look better—you feel better.
Ready to level up your glow? Start from the inside out.
If you’re ready to learn more and develop a individualized plan of care to help you optimize your skin health, reach out and I’d be happy to assist!
Best,
Damion K. Jenkins, MSN, RN
