Begins With You


Begin with Healthy Skin.

Beautiful skin begins with you. Good skin-care habits are essential – proper cleansing, moisturizing and protection – but equally important are lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, water consumption, and not smoking. Here are some tips to help you create and maintain healthy, glowing skin.

 

SUBTOPIC LINKS



Smoking

Don’t Smoke
The most important thing you can do to protect your skin is to stop smoking or never to start. Smoking is terrible for many organs, but also can cause premature aging and yellowing of the skin.  The tobacco smoke released into the air dries out your skin, while the smoke you inhale constricts blood vessels, and therefore, the amount of blood and flowing to the skin, robbing your skin of essential nutrients. Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. Skin changes from smoking can be seen in young adults who have been smoking for as few as 10 years. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This decreases blood flow, depleting the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. All of these factors increase damage to the elastic fibers (elastin) and collagen which give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles. It’s also possible that repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes may damage your facial skin over time.

• Back to Top

Diet

Eat Right for Healthy Skin
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Vitamins and minerals are important for most organs and the skin is no exception.  Consider taking a daily multivitamin with antioxidants, and keep the following in mind:

  • Omega-three fatty acids promote good skin health — and ground flaxseeds are an excellent source. Add them to your breakfast cereal for a skin-healthy start to your day.
  • Add a glow to your complexion by eating fish twice a week. The oil found in fish helps nourish your skin and keep it soft.
    Healthy skin starts with vitamin A. Eat plenty of dark orange and dark green vegetables each day.
  • Snack on nuts such as hazelnuts or almonds to give your skin a boost of Vitamin E.

• Back to Top

Exercise

Get Exercise—and Sleep
Exercise is good for your whole body, but it’s especially good for your skin. All that blood pumping circulates oxygen through your body and does wonders for your complexion – helping increase skin tone, maintain elasticity, and give your skin a healthy glow from increased blood flow. But sleep is important, too. Lack of sleep really shows on your face.  The best way to get rid of the bags under your eyes may be to get a better – and longer – night’s sleep on a regular basis.

• Back to Top

Hydration

Water, water, water. Keep well hydrated. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day will help keep your skin moist and supple, and therefore less likely to wrinkle.  

• Back to Top

Cleansing

Proper, Gentle Cleansing
Clean skin is healthy skin, but don’t overdo it. Excessive washing depletes the surface oils in the outer layers of the skin and may provoke dermatitis or worsen dry skin. The key is to treat your skin gently.

  • Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time to about 15 minutes or less, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
    Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps — those most capable of stripping oil from your skin — can leave your skin dry. Instead, choose mild soaps with oils and fats added to them during the soap manufacturing process.
  • Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin.
    Avoid irritating additives. If your skin is sensitive, avoid products containing perfumes or dyes. These can irritate your skin and may trigger an allergic response.
  • Remove eye makeup carefully. Use a soft sponge, cotton cloth or cotton balls when removing eye makeup to avoid damaging the delicate tissue around your eyes. If you wear heavy, waterproof makeup, you may need to use an oil-based product such as petroleum jelly.

• Back to Top

Moisturize

Moisturizers help maintain your skin's natural moisture levels. They work by providing a seal over your skin — to keep water from escaping — or by slowly releasing water into your skin. The moisturizer that's best for you and the frequency with which you need to moisturize depends on many factors, including your skin type, your age and whether you have specific conditions such as acne. Select a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to help protect your skin from damaging ultraviolet rays. Apply a moisturizer immediately after cleansing the skin, while it is still slightly damp.  

• Back to Top


Protection from the Elements

The sun’s rays are harmful to skin, and it is important to minimize your skin’s exposure to the sun. Avoid being out during peak sun times, wear a hat, wear sunglasses, and be generous with moisturizers with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher on exposed areas.  Wind and cold can also be particularly harsh to exposed areas, especially the lips, so be sure to wear lip protection.

• Back to Top