Top 10 Tips for Healthy Skin
by Editor


We have all heard the usual tips to achieving great looking skin; use sunscreen, avoid the sun, find a good moisturizer, cleanse and exfoliate.

But we dug deep to find the Top Secrets for healthy looking skin, of course this does not negate the great tips above. Just remember that it is a combination of how you treat your skin from the inside and the outside.







STOP SMOKING
First it narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin and decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A that is important for skin health (Mayo Clinic). Also, the repetitive pursing of the lips and squinting of the eyes may contribute to lip furrows and upper lip discolouration, crow's feet.

USE A HUMIDIFIER
Ever wonder why people from humid climates have such great skin. It's the moisture in the air. Dry conditions suck the moisture from our skin and increase the look of wrinkles.

EAT MORE RAW FOOD
Foods such as sprouts, grains, nuts, beans, fruit and vegetables. The enzymes, we require from these foods, are depleted when cooked. By eating foods that are raw, you will notice an improvement in the texture of your skin.

SWEAT
When you sweat you naturally expel toxins from your body. There is discussion that toxins show up in your face as acne, blemishes, rashes and discolouration.

AVOID STRESS
Stress causes the body to increase the level of the stress hormone cortisol. This in turn, causes an increase in oil production which can lead to oily skin, other skin problems. Jan 2001 issue of Archives of Dermatology found that stress has a negative effect on the barrier function of skin, resulting in water loss that inhibits the skin's ability to repair itself after injury.

AVOID EXCESSIVE USE OF PRODUCT
Yes, too much of a good thing is bad. You're wrinkles will not be gone faster if you apply more anti-wrinkle cream, in fact you could clog your pores by using too much cream. A pea size is usually enough.

AVOID SUGAR
Sugar may be a great homemade exfoliate (mix it with your favourite moisturizer) but when too much sugar is consumed it may cause wrinkles. A natural process called glycation, where the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form a harmful molecule called advanced glycation end products. The more sugar you eat the more advanced glycation end products you develop. They accumulate and damage adjacent proteins with the most vulnerable: collagen and elastin the protein fibers that keep skin firm.

EAT ENOUGH FIBER
Good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced good versus bad bacteria among other digestive conditions. There are two culprits of a sluggish digestion; not enough water & not enough fiber. 21-25 g of fiber is recommended for women.

EAT GOOD FATS
Essential fatty acids are simply fats our bodies cannot live without. They make cell membranes, hormones and other chemicals communicate. They fight inflammation, possibly prevent cancer and keep our hearts healthy. They are very important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema, acne and those with dry skin.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
We all know that water flushes out toxins from our body but did you know that this may help with acne and pimples. TIP: but it this is not a new tip the new secret is to drink small sips of water throughout the day versus drinking it all at once. When you drink it all at once you body expels most of it.