The skin which covers your body is vitally important to you. It is the largest organ possessed by humans. It protects us from the sun’s rays, acts as a barrier to repel foreign matter from entering the body, helps to heat and cool the body depending upon the climatic conditions, and it moves and stretches to accommodate our activities. Without this valuable covering we could not survive. It makes sense then, to do all we can to maintain our skin in the best possible condition. Strangely, we see so many people out on the beach on bright sunny days literally cooking themselves. It seems that most people want to get what is erroneously called a "healthy tan". There is no such thing. There is no benefit to cooking your skin in a tanning bed, either. Tanned skin is damaged skin. When people get older, excessive sun and weather result in a wrinkled appearance. The skin resembles rough, worn leather. In addition, there is no better way to make yourself look old and tired before your time. Diseases of the skin, like squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma are more easily developed when the skin has been damaged. Following are a few things that we can do protect and nourish our skin.

1. Wash it. Normal washing with warm water and pure soap (stay away from perfumed or scented soaps) keeps dirt and other matter from entering the pores. Remember that the skin is an organ, it needs to interact with its internal and external environments. Clogged pores prevent the skin from expelling dirt and excessive oils. Your skin looks its best when clean, just as your car looks best when it is washed and polished.

2. Get some fresh air and sunshine. This doesn’t mean that we should run around naked. Instead, think of minimal exposure to the sun, maybe twenty minutes each day on hands and face only. On occasion, a trip to the beach with bathing suit is okay so long as you use a strong sunscreen lotion and sunglasses and wide brimmed hat. Again, no more than a half hour’s exposure for the day. Fresh air and sun make us feel good but don’t overdo it.

3. Moisturize. If you have normally dry skin you might want to apply a moisturizing lotion one, or more times a day. If your skin is oily, then soap and water washing usually removes excess oil.

4. Get your nutrients. You must eat well for good nutrition. Since your skin is a part of your body, it requires all the same nutrients for good health as every other body part. All the essential vitamins and minerals necessary are found in a good diet. To ensure that you are getting enough, take a one-a-day multi-vitamin, multi-mineral tablet with breakfast every day.

5. Exercise. Part of exercising is making sure that, in addition to exercise movements, a good stretching routine in included. Stretching your muscles also stretches the skin and makes it more pliable. This results in the skin staying younger looking and it is less likely to sustain damage from being overstretched.

6. Tend to cuts. If the the skin is punctured in any way, clean and bandage it immediately. Minor scrapes and abrasions require gentle washing with soap and water, pat dry, and the application of a sterile bandage. Serious cuts or deep puncture wounds may need stitches and a tetanus shot. Keep the skin repaired with medical care to assist your body in healing itself. Learn basic first aid so that you can tend to skin damage right away. Save your doctor visits for more serious injuries. Most times the application of common sense and a band aid are all that is needed.