Forget aesthetics, the reason to look after our skin should be health

Our skin isn’t just our biggest organ, it is also the one we are most familiar with. We look at it constantly, touch it, wash it, inspect it. And yet, when we think about looking after it, our minds often jump to aesthetics. We are inundated with ads for lotions and potions that promise to enhance our appearance – as if sex appeal is all that matters about this special organ.

There are many other reasons to take care of our complexion besides cosmetic concerns, however. According to new research, its condition can have knock-on effects for the rest of the body. Due to the dense thicket of blood vessels running under the surface, inflammation that starts in the skin can easily spread to the heart and the brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia, for instance. Wrinkles aren’t just a projection of our age – they can actually drive the ageing process. And so we should think of skincare in the same way as exercise: the best reason to do it isn’t for looks, but for the undeniable health benefits.

Ensuring our epidermis is in excellent condition should therefore be a priority for anyone who wants to increase the chances of living a long life, which is why we have produced a special report on what we know about the best ways to care for it (see “Why looking after your skin is so crucial to your long-term health”).

As the evidence builds about the importance of the skin for general health, research into how to care for it is moving away from marketing campaigns for healthcare products into the realm of proper scientific study.

We now know that certain foods can reduce the damage caused by air pollution and the sun’s UV rays, for example, and we may be able to nurture its microbiome through more regular contact with nature. Taking a scientific approach can also help us assess new fads and fashions, so that we can make informed decisions about the goods and services with proven benefits, beyond claims of quick fixes.

Beauty may not be skin deep – but there is nothing shallow about wishing to protect our bodies from the outside in. It may save our hides in more ways than one.