You Can Have Healthy Skin

With new research, new products and new skin protection advice

popping up all the time, it is hard to figure out the best things

to do to improve and protect your skin.

A skin care program is the combination of skin care products and

a routine that will be most beneficial to the skin.  You will

first need to consider your diet and type of life-style since

these two factors play an important role in the health of a

person's skin.

These days we seem to be living in the fast-food age and the

condition of your skin is often neglected.  You still can't beat

the old fruit and vegetable diet when it comes to good health and

a good complexion.

Remember to feed and nourish your skin by eating the proper foods. 

Give your skin a drink too.  Those eight glasses of water a day

your mom always told you to be sure to drink are essential to

maintaining your skin's elasticity and suppleness, say experts. 

And don't count coffee or any of the caffeinated sodas as part

of the eight glass§es because caffeine is dehydrating.  The water

you choose can be sparkling water, mineral or straight from the

tap.  Another suggestion is that you keep a liter-size bottle

close at hand, or simply drink a glass or two with your meals,

and a few in between.

You need to give some thought and consideration to the type of

makeup you sue.  And be sure to clean your tools regularly. 

Things such as cosmetic brushes get dirty and can carry bacteria

and germs and may cause skin irritations and breaking out.  One

of the leading cosmetic authorities suggests that cosmetic brushes

be thoroughly cleaned at least twice a month.  A good way is to

soak brushes for about 10 minutes in a dish of warm, soapy water

using mild liquid detergent or baby shampoo.  Rinse and blot excess

moisture with a towel and stand the brushes, handle end down, in a

tall glass until they are thoroughly dry.

Keep environmental pollutants from being absorbed into the skin

with a good moisturizer that also acts as a skin barrier.  Check

the labels for those with added Vitamin A, C and E, which help

block the penetration of pollutants.

A good exercise program such as aerobics can activate and

rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation and blood flow.  Also,

body sweat triggers production of sebum, which is the skin's own

natural moisturizer.

One skin care expert has come up with a do-it-yourself version of

a treatment you may like to try.  Stir the juice of half a lemon

into one cup of plain yogurt.  Keep it in the refrigerator and

apply it as you would a cream every night before bed.  You can

even apply a thin coat of moisturizer over it is you like, after

waiting about five minutes for the yogurt mixture to penetrate. 

With consistent use, you should see more even pigmentation and

smoother skin in three to four weeks.

Get serious about stress reduction.  Skin conditions such as acne

appear on many people who are stressed out, and chronic skin

conditions then to get worse.  Set aside quiet time to meditate

or daydream.  Be sure to get enough sleep.  To avoid morning eye

or facial puffiness, sleep on your back so fluid doesn't collect

there.  And, you can keep the oil from your hair away from your

face by wearing a head covering or a soft headband when you go to

bed.  And keep in mind that too much stress can affect your

overall health as well as your complexion.sk to get down to the

essential things.