Ananda Mahony
Naomi12 tips for great skin
August 25th 2008 03:22
Link: www.vitalenatural.com.au
Good skin can be natural but it can also take some maintenance. Here are 12 tips that
1. Stay Hydrated. Our skin reflects our state of hydration. Dehydrated skin is sign of total body dehydration. Start the day with half a lemon squeezed into 300mls of water. The lemon will stimulate the cells of the body to absorb the water increasing hydration levels.
2. Eat plenty of Antioxidant rich foods. You can obtain antioxidants in your diet from brightly coloured fruit and vegetables…the more colour the better. Choose a wide variety of fruit and vegetables as this provides a wider spectrum of valuable antioxidants. Antioxidants will assist in skin repair and combat the production of free radicals.
3. Avoid excess sugar. Research has shown that a high sugar intake is associated with greater skin wrinkling.
4. Avoid the midday sun. Some sun exposure is essential for the production of Vitamin D. However, prolonged midday sun exposure is most damaging to the skin and so should be avoided.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking damages the skin almost as much as sun exposure. The damaging effect of smoking on the skin is due to the excessive production of free radicals.
6. Ensure you get enough sleep. Ideally 7-8 hours each night. Tiredness shows up on the skin. When you are more rested, your skin is also more rested and the benefits show as well.
7. Consider an antioxidant supplement - If you think that you are subject to greater antioxidant stress than normal from factors such as sun, wind or pollution exposure or disease, poor diet and stress, then an antioxidant supplement may be of benefit. Choose one that contains Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene and zinc as all of these antioxidants work to support the skin. Grape Seed extract is also very useful as it specifically works to inhibit the destruction of collagen as well as improving the elasticity in skin by stabilising collagen and elastin.
8. Eat good fats - essential fatty acids from good fats such as deep sea fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition. The result is plump, well hydrated skin.
9. Maintain at least a basic skin care routine starting by cleansing your face daily. Daily dirt and grime build up from many sources such as environmental pollution, sweat and sebum. It is important to cleanse this build up from your skin, thereby minimising congestion and ensuring your moisturiser absorbs well.
10. Tone your skin - skin toners help remove all remaining traces of oil, dirt and makeup. When patted on with a cotton pad, they also help to close the pores. Choose toners based on floral waters rather than alcohol as alcohol dries out the skin.
11. Exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation encourages the removal of built up dead cells on the surface of the skin. If left the skin can look dull and congested. The dead skin cells can also fall into the pores which may promote blackheads and open pores. Use a gentle facial exfoliant twice a week.
12. Moisturise daily – moisturisers protect and nourish your skin also helping to maintain a healthy acid mantle (protective coating). Choose a moisturiser that suits your skin type and if you don’t know, ask a professional beauty therapist or skin specialist.
1. Stay Hydrated. Our skin reflects our state of hydration. Dehydrated skin is sign of total body dehydration. Start the day with half a lemon squeezed into 300mls of water. The lemon will stimulate the cells of the body to absorb the water increasing hydration levels.
2. Eat plenty of Antioxidant rich foods. You can obtain antioxidants in your diet from brightly coloured fruit and vegetables…the more colour the better. Choose a wide variety of fruit and vegetables as this provides a wider spectrum of valuable antioxidants. Antioxidants will assist in skin repair and combat the production of free radicals.
3. Avoid excess sugar. Research has shown that a high sugar intake is associated with greater skin wrinkling.
4. Avoid the midday sun. Some sun exposure is essential for the production of Vitamin D. However, prolonged midday sun exposure is most damaging to the skin and so should be avoided.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking damages the skin almost as much as sun exposure. The damaging effect of smoking on the skin is due to the excessive production of free radicals.
6. Ensure you get enough sleep. Ideally 7-8 hours each night. Tiredness shows up on the skin. When you are more rested, your skin is also more rested and the benefits show as well.
7. Consider an antioxidant supplement - If you think that you are subject to greater antioxidant stress than normal from factors such as sun, wind or pollution exposure or disease, poor diet and stress, then an antioxidant supplement may be of benefit. Choose one that contains Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene and zinc as all of these antioxidants work to support the skin. Grape Seed extract is also very useful as it specifically works to inhibit the destruction of collagen as well as improving the elasticity in skin by stabilising collagen and elastin.
8. Eat good fats - essential fatty acids from good fats such as deep sea fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds help maintain the fatty membrane surrounding the cell, holding in moisture and nutrition. The result is plump, well hydrated skin.
9. Maintain at least a basic skin care routine starting by cleansing your face daily. Daily dirt and grime build up from many sources such as environmental pollution, sweat and sebum. It is important to cleanse this build up from your skin, thereby minimising congestion and ensuring your moisturiser absorbs well.
10. Tone your skin - skin toners help remove all remaining traces of oil, dirt and makeup. When patted on with a cotton pad, they also help to close the pores. Choose toners based on floral waters rather than alcohol as alcohol dries out the skin.
11. Exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation encourages the removal of built up dead cells on the surface of the skin. If left the skin can look dull and congested. The dead skin cells can also fall into the pores which may promote blackheads and open pores. Use a gentle facial exfoliant twice a week.
12. Moisturise daily – moisturisers protect and nourish your skin also helping to maintain a healthy acid mantle (protective coating). Choose a moisturiser that suits your skin type and if you don’t know, ask a professional beauty therapist or skin specialist.
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