Your skin tell a lot about your health. By just looking at someone's skin, one can tell if they are sick, unhappy, or completely healthy. This is because whatever happens inside, reflects on the outside, on your skin. But there are ways to take care of your skin otherwise and it always does not mean expensive products or complicated routine. A basic skincare regimen includes cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen. Beyond this, good food with enough nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and stress management too is the key.

Here's all you need to know about skincare:

Who all need skincare?

Despite what social media tells you, children do not need fancy skincare products. The best approach for them is, once they start approaching the pre-puberty time, they keep their skin clean and use a non-comedogenic moisturizer if necessary. For children with eczema or other skin conditions, following a doctor-recommended routine is important.

Fighting Acne

Everyone experience acne at some point, especially during puberty. The best hack is to use oil-free products like benzoyl peroxide that can help control breakouts. If acne are causing scars, it is best to first take advise from your doctor and only then apply something else. A treatment usually takes up three-months to finally show results, therefore before considering alternatives a three-month window must be given.

When Should you start using anti aging products?

Again, social media here tells you to use it as soon as possible. But did you know that using anti aging products early will not help prevent wrinkles? A simple routine with a good sunscreen is often the best approach. Those in their mid-to-late 20s may consider introducing a mild retinol product, but factors like sun exposure and individual skin needs play a role in determining the right time to start.

What Ingredients Work?

Certain ingredients have proven beneficial, these are:

• Retinol for skin renewal
• Sunscreen for preventing premature aging

There may be many trendy ingredients like hyaluronic acid, however, not necessarily does it penetrate the skin deeply, but instead it helps retain moisture on the surface. Expensive doesn’t always mean better—affordable products often work just as well.

Do's and Dont's

Be Cautious: It is important that you be cautious when you use new products. Before introducing a new product, always take a patch test, especially for sensitive skin. For instance, retinol should be used only in small amounts a few times a week to prevent dryness. However, if it creates irritation, you can reduce usage, or switch to a milder formation.

Popping Pimples: This could lead to scarring and worsen inflammation, this is when spot treatments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide could help. Also consider using face wash.

Use Sunscreen: Remember, sunscreen is a skincare essential! It also reduces the risk of skin cancer and prevent sun-induced aging. It is always best to apply a sunscreen with an SPF 50+. Remember to always go for a cream over spray and reapply every two hours.

Moles: Keep an eye on your moles. Though, mostly they are harmless, but if the size, shape, or color changes, then you must go see a doctors. While most moles are harmless, some could turn into cancer.

Lifestyle Changes: What really does well for your skin is when you start eating a healthy diet, rich in whole foods, healthy fats and variety of plants. Moreover if you are smoking, it accelerates aging and reduces blood flow to skin. Thus make these changes to make your skin radiant.

The United States has been working on reducing smog for more than a decade and has become quite successful in this endeavor, but since 2015, the situation has changed for the worse as a new study reveals that the smog level is once again on the rise, and the main reason behind this is another long-term problem of the nation, wildfire.

The federal regulations tightened on power plants, cars, and diesel engines, which in turn caused a drop in the national smog level by 11% from 2003 to 2015. Since then, cases of wildfire have increased, resulting in the smog level going up by 4%. The study finds that if the current trend continues, it will cause smog to go back up to 2003 levels in 20 years.

The study in the journal Science has also calculated a surge in deaths from ozone attacking lungs by comparing death rates in clean and dirty air. They estimated a surge of 318 American deaths per year since 2013 due to smog.

The co-author of the study, Meng Zhou, a University of Iowa wildfire researcher, said, “For the last 20 years, by regulations, we keep decreasing the emissions." He added, “However, because of wildfires, which are actually from natural hazards, all those kinds of effort were wiped out.”

The study also flagged concerns about the current smog situation and its possible impact on the population. University of Washington public health and climate scientist Kristie Ebi said, “Higher daily ozone concentrations can increase asthma attacks, hospital admissions, and mortality.” She added, “still a very important pollutant, which is why it's regulated.”

Also Read: The Mystery Behind Trump’s Hair-Loss Drug And The Bigger Health Questions It Raises

The research finds that the heavy wildfire smoke seasons of 2022, 2023, and 2024, mainly in Canada, created a massive amount of smog, and this then came down south. As a result, about 43 million people got exposed to smog levels that exceeded the current EPA safety standards. The wildfires in Canada have been particularly severe since 2022.

The problem is also with the massive wildfires in the mainland US, as the National Interagency Fire Center's data also shows that the average amount of land in the US that wildfires burn every year has increased by 9% higher than it was from 2003 to 2014.

Also Read: CDC Warns That Tick Bites Are Surging Across The US: What You Need to Know

What Are The Possible Health Impacts?

There are many short-term and long-term impacts on public health from the constant exposure to air pollution. As per IQAir, in the short term, people experience irritation in the eyes, throat, and nose, along with irregular heartbeats, asthma attacks, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Prolonged exposure also intensifies these risks and leads to long-term effects such as chronic respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Pollutants can also damage lung tissue, increasing the likelihood of lung cancer. Air pollution also leads to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, and could also be linked to premature death.

Naturopath and health educator Barbara O'Neill believes many of the foundations of good health are simple, inexpensive, and often overlooked.

In an interview with HealthandMe, she spoke about her journey into natural healing. Barbara said her interest began when she was looking for alternatives to repeated medication use for her children.

"I was pulled towards natural healing because I didn't want to give my children drugs," she said, recalling how her first child underwent four courses of antibiotics within six weeks.

That experience prompted her to explore other ways of managing common health issues such as earaches and discomfort.

On Ayurveda And Traditional Healing

Barbara said she sees similarities between her philosophy of health and Ayurveda. "I believe that there's a lot of similarities between what I believe," said the 72-year-old, adding that she supports approaches that work and do not cause harm.

While acknowledging that medicines can save lives in emergencies, she argued that long-term healing depends on creating the right conditions for the body.

"Yes, in a crisis, a drug may save a life, but drugs can't heal us. That's why it's time to go back to the old ways," she said.

According to Barbara, understanding how the body functions is key to understanding healing.

"When you understand how they function, then you begin to understand what they need. And if you give the body the right conditions, the healing will accelerate," she told HealthandMe.

The Healthy Habits

Barbara said that sleep, hydration, exercise, and natural foods are key to better health. She also called out modern lifestyles, which often encourage people to stay awake too late, particularly because of technology; and recommended getting enough sleep.

"Start going to bed earlier and aiming for eight hours sleep a night," she said.

Barbara also emphasized daily movement, whether through running, walking, push-ups, squats, or stretching.

"Every day, I make a point of moving my body," she said.

Why Barbara O'Neill Doesn't Take Supplements

At a time when supplements have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, Barbara revealed that she does not take any supplements herself.

"I take no supplements," she said, noting that she advocates focusing on fundamental health habits.

"What should be there instead is exercise every day, eating food in its natural state, drinking adequate water, and going to bed early," she said.

While she is not opposed to supplements, she believes they are often unnecessary.

"There are times where they may be necessary, but most of the time we don't need them," she added.

Natural Food And Stress Management

Barbara also encouraged people to eat foods in their natural state and suggested a simple dietary habit for Indians.

"Eat dal every day," she said.

For stress management, she said both sleep and meditation are important. She described beginning each day with prayer, reflection, and quiet time.

Barbara said that the human body has an innate ability to heal when supported by healthy habits.

"I want people to remember that they live in a body that can heal. So please look after it," she told HealthandMe.

Many working women who are pregnant tend to dismiss signs such as headaches, swelling, or vision changes, thinking that they are common during pregnancy. However, these issues can be caused by preeclampsia, a serious condition that requires timely attention, especially among busy working women.

What is preeclampsia?

Dr Prachi Sarin Sethi, Senior Consultant – Obstetrician, Gynaecologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Motherhood Hospitals, Gurgaon, said, "Pregnancy comes with many physical changes, and it is common for women to experience discomfort such as swelling, fatigue, or headaches. However, sometimes these symptoms may point to something more serious, namely preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition that can affect both the mother and baby. Working women tend to ignore the signs of this condition and struggle in silence. Preeclampsia is a condition that usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is mainly characterised by high blood pressure and can affect organs such as the liver and kidneys. If not managed in time, it can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby."

What are the causes of preeclampsia?

The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known. Certain factors increase the risk, including:

1. High blood pressure before pregnancy
2. First pregnancy
3. Multiple pregnancies (twins or more)
4. Obesity or diabetes
5. High stress levels and lack of rest

What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?

Many symptoms of preeclampsia are mistaken for normal pregnancy changes. These include:

1. Persistent headaches
2. Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
3. Blurred vision or light sensitivity
4. Sudden weight gain
5. Pain in the upper abdomen

Consequences of untreated preeclampsia

Working women may ignore these signs due to work pressure, long hours, or frequent travel, assuming they are just tired or stressed. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications such as:

1. Preterm delivery
2. Low birth weight of the baby
3. Organ damage in the mother
4. Seizures (a severe condition called eclampsia)

Early detection and proper care can help manage the condition and reduce risks.

This is why working women miss the signs

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, many women continue working through pregnancy without slowing down. Long working hours, stress, irregular meals, and lack of rest tend to worsen symptoms. Many women delay check-ups or ignore warning signs, thinking they are minor issues.

What can women do?

Report any signs and symptoms, such as headaches and vision changes, to a doctor. De-stress by practising yoga and meditation. Monitor blood pressure regularly, avoid overexertion, and maintain a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses. Avoid junk, oily, and canned foods. It is also necessary to stay hydrated, attend regular health check-ups, and follow-up appointments.