Your skin as a mirror of your health: what does it tell us, and how should we care for it?

They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul. If that is true, we can also say that the skin is the mirror of the body.

It is not just a wrapping: it is a living organ that protects, defends and, sometimes, warns. Our skin says a great deal about us. At times it shows our bad habits, how well we rest or how stressed we are; it can reflect our whole way of life and, on top of that, warn us that something inside may not be working as it should.

Skin is the first thing we see of ourselves every morning. Perhaps that is why we tend to think of it in terms of appearance and beauty. But skin is much more than that. It is the largest organ of the body, and it is in constant conversation with the rest of the organism.

Sometimes it reflects how well we are looking after ourselves. And sometimes, if we know how to look, it tells us that something deserves attention.

In short: skin is a barrier, an immune organ, a sensor and a regulator. Some signs on it (dark patches on the neck, yellowish deposits on the eyelids, wounds that will not heal) can reflect what is happening inside and are worth a consultation. What ages it most is sun and tobacco, and the care with the strongest evidence is daily sun protection. A few well-chosen products work better than a ten-step routine, and good aesthetics starts with healthy skin.

Much more than a layer

Skin is not a wrapping: it is a living frontier between your body and the world around it.

What can your skin tell you about your health?

Skin can show signs of what is happening inside the body. None of them is a diagnosis on its own, but it is important to see a professional if they appear or persist for a while:

• Dark, velvety patches on the neck or armpits, which can be linked to insulin resistance.
• Small yellowish deposits on the eyelids, a reason to check cholesterol.
• Marked paleness, which can come with anaemia.
• Very dry skin, brittle hair or nails, sometimes related to thyroid problems or nutritional deficiencies.
• Wounds that take a long time to heal, a reason to check blood glucose and circulation.
• Generalised itching with no visible rash, which should be assessed by a doctor.
• Flare-ups that coincide with stress or poor sleep, common in acne, dermatitis and psoriasis.

That is why at ETRYUM, when something in the skin does not add up, we do not just treat the surface: we discuss it with the medical team and look for the root of the problem.

What really ages the skin?

Not every factor carries the same weight, and it helps to separate what is proven from what is still being studied:

• The sun: proven. Ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of visible ageing in sun-exposed skin (spots, wrinkles, loss of elasticity) and of skin cancer.
• Tobacco: proven. It reduces blood flow to the skin and breaks down collagen.
• Sleep and stress: solid support. Poor sleep and ongoing stress slow the recovery of the skin barrier and encourage inflammatory flare-ups.
• Diet: under study. A diet high in sugar and ultra-processed food has been linked to acne and to collagen damage, although the evidence is not yet firm.
• Time. Ageing is an entirely natural process that is part of life, and it shows in our skin too. Over the years the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid gradually falls, which can lead to a loss of firmness, hydration and elasticity. We cannot stop ageing, but we can help our skin stay healthy for longer. Caring for your skin does not mean avoiding ageing; it means going through it in a healthy way.

Which skincare actually works?

In skincare, fewer products, better chosen, usually works better than a ten-step routine:

1. 01

   Gentle cleansing

   Without stripping the skin's natural oils. Over-cleansing also damages the barrier.

2. 02

   Moisturising

   A cream suited to your skin type helps maintain the barrier, especially with age and in winter.

3. 03

   Daily sun protection

   UV radiation can increase oxidative stress and the activity of enzymes that break down the dermal matrix, and so contributes to skin ageing. A broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, not only in summer. It is the care with the most evidence: it prevents spots, wrinkles and skin cancer.

4. 04

   Actives, when indicated

   Every skin has different needs, and there are key actives for each type. With professional advice you can build a simple, effective routine. Retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid are pillars of effective care: they improve the texture and look of the skin and help clear impurities.

5. 05

   The foundation

   Sleep well, do not smoke, stay active and eat a varied diet. No surface treatment makes up for what is neglected every day from within.

Aesthetics, with clinical judgement

Our skincare treatments aim at much more than improving appearance. Healthy, well-cared-for skin is part of our physical wellbeing, and taking time for self-care can help us feel better about ourselves. Caring for our skin is also a way of caring for ourselves, inside and out.

As we said, skin is the largest organ of the body and is closely tied to protection, sensory perception and our relationship with the world around us. That is why caring for it can be part of an overall wellbeing routine, and why a treatment on it is a clinical act.

At ETRYUM we do not try to change your identity or your essence, but to help you become the best version of yourself, professionally and always with your health as the priority. That includes:

• An assessment first: your history, medication, allergies, pregnancy or skin conditions, and your expectations.
• Recommending only what makes sense, and saying no when a treatment is not right for you.
• Safe technique, in the hands of healthcare professionals, with authorised, traceable products.
• Follow-up after the treatment.

We look for natural results, so that you still recognise yourself in the mirror. The best aesthetics starts with healthy skin.

When should you see someone about your skin?

And if you have an allergic reaction with swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing, call 112 (the emergency number in Spain and across the EU).

An example to make it clearer

The comment our patients hear most afterwards: “I don’t know what it is, but you look so much better.”

To finish

In recent years I have had the chance to live in very different places and, as an aesthetic nurse, I pay special attention to our most visible calling card: our skin.

My years in Norway taught me to see factors that damage the skin barrier which I had never considered before, such as snow or freezing winds. My time in Australia, on the other hand, made me even more aware of the damage done by UV radiation and photoageing.

As I said at the start, skin talks. It tells us about our habits, our surroundings, how we sleep, how much sun we have had and how we handle stress.

Protect it every day. Care for it simply. Listen to what it tells you. And treat it with judgement.

Because caring for your skin is also caring for the health that shows.

Sources

1. Green AC, et al. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(3):257–263.
2. Hughes MCB, et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781–790.
3. Flament F, et al. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:221–232.
4. Morita A. Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging. J Dermatol Sci. 2007;48(3):169–175.
5. Oyetakin-White P, et al. Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(1):17–22.
6. Garg A, et al. Psychological stress perturbs epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137(1):53–59.
7. Smith RN, et al. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(1):107–115.
8. Mukherjee S, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327–348.
9. Phiske MM. An approach to acanthosis nigricans. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(3):239–249.
10. Christoffersen M, et al. Xanthelasmata, arcus corneae, and ischaemic vascular disease and death in general population. BMJ. 2011;343:d5497.
11. Abbasi NR, et al. Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: revisiting the ABCD criteria. JAMA. 2004;292(22):2771–2776.
12. Goodman GJ, Bagatin E. Photoaging and cosmeceutical solutions in sun-overexposed countries: the experience of Australia and Brazil. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2024;38(Suppl 4):36–44.

This article is for general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment.