Healthy Skin Is Within Your Reach

Good Skin Care is important if you want to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking. We are bombarded daily with the latest skin care creams and treatments. All of this information can be confusing and overwhelming for most. It's hard to know which products to buy and what the right things to do are to protect your skin. In this article we will focus on dietary and lifestyle issues that can affect the health and quality of your skin. This approach addresses healing the skin from the inside out. Additionally there are various simple techniques you can incorporate to care for your skin externally as well.

Protect your skin: You need to begin with protecting your skin from the elements which includes the sun. Harsh wind and cold air can dry and irritate your skin. Avoid being outdoors in these conditions. Sun exposure is extremely important to understand if you want to have healthy skin. You should not "fear" the sun. This is a common misconception. There is real danger in too much sun exposure. You need a certain amount of sun daily in order for your body to produce vitamin d properly. The fact is if you overexpose yourself to the sun you will prematurely wrinkle and age your skin. You also increase your risk of developing skin cancer. You should not be in the sun during the daytime hours of 10am to 4pm. This is the time when the sun's rays are at their strongest. Always use a good quality sunscreen on any exposed areas of your body, particularly your face. The sunscreen should have a SPF factor of at least 30. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours if you are spending time outdoors. Wearing a hat is also a sensible idea as it protects your head from sun exposure.

Quit Smoking; Cigarette smoking is extremely dangerous to your health as well as to the appearance of your skin. Have you ever noticed that smokers tend to have poor skin quality? Skin health is connected to good blood flow. Smoking affects blood vessels in the top skin layers and narrows them. As a result you have less blood flow and oxygen. Your skin will look wrinkled and older than your age. The collagen levels in your skin will also decrease. Collagen helps to keep your skin looking soft and supple.

Routine Skin Care: You need to clean your face on a daily basis. Avoid harsh cleansers and very hot water which can dry your skin. Use warm water and gentle perfume free soaps to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. Your final rinse should be with cool water to close the pores and prevent pimples from happening. And always remove makeup nightly. Don't harshly rub your face dry; just gently blot with a towel. Apply a daily moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type.

Nutritional Tips: Clearly there is a link between a healthy diet and good skin. Your diet should be primarily fresh whole foods. It should include fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains. Some of the best foods for skin are sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and tomatoes. Omega-3 fatty acids: Getting adequate levels of good fats in the form of Omega 3 fatty acids is very important to your skin health. Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and tuna are great choices. You aim for 2-3 servings weekly. Be aware however, of mercury levels that may be found in seafood. You could consider supplementing with a high quality Omega-3 fish oil. Avoid eating processed foods and refined carbohydrates. When you eat healthy you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to keep skin healthy. Water is also important and it will be you hydrated and remove toxins. Have 6 to 8 glasses daily to ensure good skin health.

Control Stress: You need to find ways to control your stress levels if you want healthy skin. When you get overstressed you are more prone to skin eruptions such as acne. Find simple and constructive ways to control your stress. If you are under a great deal of stress it's time for you to do something about it. Life can be very hard and there are times that we all experience great hardships. Adequate Sleep: Getting enough sleep nightly is very important to the quality of your skin. You should strive for 8 hours nightly. It is during the sleeping hours that your body does cellular repair. This is important to the skin being able to maintain adequate collagen levels and repair itself. Have you ever had a bad night sleep and woke up looking tired and your skin showing the effects? This is because your body didn't have the chance to do its cellular repair. So enough sleep is absolutely essential to having healthy and attractive skin.

See a Dermatologist: There are skin problems that can be alleviated and improved with a dermatologist. For example, acne, skin tags, rosacea and moles are a few examples of skin conditions that your dermatologist can help you with. Remember as with any lifestyle or dietary change always consult with your medical doctor before making any changes particularly if you suffer from any disease or ailment or are taking prescription drugs.


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