Five Skin Tips for Healthy Skin

I know sometimes it can be hard to maintain skin.  You don't always have time for an intensive skin care regimen or you can't go to the spa as often as you like for a facial.  Did you know that there are simple ways to help maintain healthy skin care on your own?  Try these five skin care tips and see if your skin improves.

1. Eating a Healthy Diet: Have you heard the saying, " You are what you eat?"  Well, that saying is very true.  What we put into our bodies also affects our skin.  If you are prone to eating a lot of junk foods then you may be prone to more acne or breakouts.  Eat more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.  There is still not an exact association between a poor diet and acne skin, but research has shown that a diet high in Vitamin C can help promote youthful skin.

2. Protect your skin: Don't be afraid to wear sunscreen.  Sunscreen should be apart of your daily skin care regimen.  I know they say that the sun is good for the skin and that it provides natural Vitamin D, and that's true, but too much sun exposure over a lifetime can cause: wrinkles, aging skin, lentigines (sun spots), hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer.  Also, for my women of color, don't think that you don't need to wear sunscreen because your skin is darker.  Although, your chances of being sunburned or getting skin cancer are lesser, you are still at risk and need to protect you skin just the same.  Again a lifetime of over exposed sun damage can cause many skin care/health problems.

3.  Do not smoke: Smoking is not only bad for the skin, but bad for your over all health.  Smoking can cause your skin to become dry, aging, sagging, and cause wrinkles.  It also weakens the strength of your skin and it's elasticity.  Smoking decreases blood flow which depletes the skin oxygen and nutrients which are vital for healthy skin.

4. Don't Stress: Uncontrolled stress can trigger the skin into a sensitive state, and cause your skin to have an acne breakout.  In order to prevent this you want to have a healthy and clear mindset.

5. Be Gentle:  Take care of your skin. Your skin is the largest organ of the body and a protectant to internal body parts.  Try to avoid really hot showers or bath, strong soaps and detergents, always use a lubricant when shaving, and add moisture to the skin.  When you take those hot showers or baths or use those strong soaps and detergents, your stripping your skin of oils.  Your body secretes it's own natural oils, but sometimes it is also necessary to add extra oil, especially for people with dry skin.