Introduction -- Don't Believe the Hype
The beauty industry would like us to believe that having radiant skin requires all manner of creams, potions, and lotions, the more expensive the better. Often, these products are of little -- if any -- real help, despite whatever extravagent claims are made about them. The truth is that you can shave years off your face by making a few simple lifestyle changes. If you're doing everything else right, you really only need a handful of inexpensive skin care products to moisturize and exfoliate the skin. I look about ten years younger than my driver's license says and I get complimented on my skin all the time, so I've decided to share my daily beauty routine with you. As you will see, it's mostly common sense. If you want tips for a healthy, youthful complexion, read on!
1. Stay out of the Sun
By some accounts, the sun is responsible for 70% of the aging of our skin. Sun exposure is particularly harmful, because UV rays are able to penetrate tissues well below the surface and damage the underlying collagen that supports the skin. The cumulative effects of photoaging are many, including deep wrinkles, age spots, and spider veins.If you want a bronze glow, use a sunless tanning product and cover up when you are outside. If you must bare skin, use a high-SPF (30 or stronger), broad spectrum sunscreen on any exposed areas. Not only will this keep you younger looking, it will also reduce your chances of developing skin cancer as you age.
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2. Stop Smoking
Along with heavy sun exposure, smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Smoking causes all sorts of detrimental changes that accelerate the aging of the dermis. Over a period of years, smokers tend to develop wrinkled, leathery skin. However, those who quit -- even after long habitual use -- can observe visible improvements in their skin within weeks. If you're still smoking, stop! NOW! 3. Manage Stress
Stress (from money, work, relationships, etc.) affects all the organs of the body, including the skin. Many people's skin is highly sensitive to stress, which can manifest itself in outbreaks of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and many other disorders. So intimate is the connection, in fact, that doctors have coined a medical term (psychodermatology) to describe this new field of study.Finding ways to reduce stress in your life, therefore, will do wonders for your overall health as well as the appearance of your skin. Common stress busters include:
- Meditation
- Laughter
- Relaxing music
- Going for a walk
- Gardening
- Yoga
If you find that you are chronically stressed, in spite of the above techniques, you should consider more profound lifestyle changes, such as finding a new career or place to live. Sometimes, stress is an indicator that something in our environment really doesn't agree with us and the best way to reduce stress may be changing our surroundings rather than finding ways to cope with it.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet
A poor diet (eating too much, too little, or the wrong kinds of foods) doesn't just affect your dress size, it will also show on your hair, skin, and nails. Your skin needs vitamins, minerals, and protein to repair and maintain itself. Restrictive diets or diets heavy on processed foods will often provide too little of the nutrients your body needs. Symptoms of poor diet include:- Dry skin
- Bruising
- Slow wound recovery
- Dull complexion
Take your mom's advice and eat your vegetables. A balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and complex carbohydrates is the way to go. Avoid pre-packaged meals and eating on the run. These foods almost always contain too much salt, fat, and sugar.
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5. Drink Plenty of Water
Keep your skin well hydrated by drinking plenty of H2O to avoid a sallow complexion. Many health professionals suggest drinking at least eight glasses per day. If you exercise vigorously or work outside in the summer, you should up your water intake accordingly. I also recommend that you limit consumption of beverages containing caffeine and alcohol, as both of these ingredients are diuretics.You can use the pinch test to check if you are dehydrated. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand. If it takes longer than normal to recover, it's a sign that you are not getting enough water.
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6. Exercise Regularly
Exercise, in addition to its many other health benefits, can dramatically improve your skin tone. Regular exercise improves circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells while helping the body eliminate metabolic waste products. Exercise also helps your body rid itself of toxins through your pores as you sweat. Sweating flushes out the pores, removing oil and debris that can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts. 
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7. Don't Forget to Sleep
As you sleep, your body repairs and restores tissues, including those of the skin, but Americans -- as a nation -- are chronically sleep deprived. Most of us get only about six hours per night, rather than the eight our bodies need to function optimally.The cumulative effects of not getting enough sleep will be readily visible on your skin. For example, lack of sleep is associated with the release of stress hormones, which can lead to blemishes and outbreaks of acne. The area surrounding the eyes has some of the thinnest skin and is therefore particularly susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation. Hence the bags and dark circles that are the hallmarks of the nightowl.
Lack of sleep is associated with numerous other health problems, including:
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
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8. Exfoliate at Night with Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
Exfoliation improves the skin's appearance by removing the top layers of dead skin cells, but loofas and abrasive creams are often too harsh for use on the face, certainly for daily use. I recommend instead using a mild chemical exfoliant to gently remove dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants work by weakening the "glue" that binds cells together, allowing the dead layers of skin to slough off.Unlike Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), BHA can penetrate through oily skin and clogged pores, which is why I personally use exfoliators with BHA as part of my daily regimen.
I suggest you look for over-the-counter acne medications containing 2% salicylic acid. These are just as effective as many of the products sold behind the beauty counter for a fraction of the price. My favorite is Clean & Clear Invisible Blemish Treatment.
Make sure you stick with a mild (2%) product for daily use. Also, BHA can temporarily make your skin more photo sensitive, which is why I apply it at bedtime.
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9. Moisturize in the Morning
I shower in the morning and immediately follow this by applying a light, oil-free moisturizer to the skin. I personally like Lubriderm Daily UV Moisturizer Lotion with SPF 15. It absorbs quickly and does not leave any greasy residue.If your skin is dry, I would recommend looking for a formula that also contains Na-PCA. Na-PCA is a natural factor in the skin that attracts and retains moisture. Levels of Na-PCA start to decline as we age, so you might consider switching to products containing this ingredient if you are over forty.
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dev wrote
very good detail about skin
Posted May 21, 2009
Dr. E wrote...
Very informative lens. This sure is big help to many people especially those with skin problems.
Cellulite Creams Review
Posted February 28, 2009
Risa28 wrote...
Very nice, straightforward and real lens. Thanks for sharing. 5*s
Posted February 05, 2009
Suko wrote...
This is a wonderful lens. I'm reminding once again to drink MORE water!
Posted January 11, 2009
permanentlipstick wrote...
Hello, I have visited you lens. It's give lot of useful information. your diet info is good. You tips are very useful for very one...Permanent Lipstick
Posted October 13, 2008
by nowandzen
Hi, I'm Jenny, a fitness instructor and physical therapist assistant. I'm working towards becoming a licensed physical therapist.
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