Get the facts on healthy skin care

My morning news promised today would be the last cold day of the season. Spring is officially upon us. Just as I was day dreaming about sunshine and short shorts I was reminded of the part of my body that tends to sustain the most neglect during the colder months: my skin.

While I know I should slather myself daily with SPF in the warmer months and stay super-moisturized, being no dermatologist, I am firmly aware that my perception of how well I take care of my skin is different than the reality. Turns out there is more to know about skin care than simply applying SPF. Think you know everything there is to know about proper skin care? Do you think stress has an impact on your skin? How about greasy food? Take this short quiz offered by the Mayo Clinic and find out. It should be noted this quiz is merely a jumping off point for facts about proper skin care.

Interestingly enough, I noted this quiz (on which I scored 7 out of 8!) was last updated in 2005. That could mean one of two things: either the quiz is indeed outdated or skincare concerns haven't changed much in the last few years. My hope is it's the latter of the two possibilities. Either way, online quizzes aside, now is the time to do another of those things I tell myself I ought to do but fail to follow through with every year: see the dermatologist. I know I'm not alone.

Even if you score an 8 out of 8 on the quiz, don't you think it's worth it to let a professional take a look? Besides checking those hard to see places like the middle of your back for suspicious moles, a dermatologist can answer all your skin care questions and make recommendations appropriate for you.

The only hang up? Getting an appointment. Do your research, listen to word of mouth, and select a good derm. Then make an appointment and get in there to see him or her as soon as possible. Chances are it won't be within the same week you decided to make the appointment, but more than likely you'll get in before swimsuit season.

Meanwhile, take the quiz and find out whether you know all there is to know about skincare!