What Your Skin Loves
It has been said that you are what you eat. Increasingly, that truism is shaping many aspects of good health, including skin care aimed at promoting a youthful glow. Amazingly, some relatively simple changes in diet can greatly improve skin’s appearance.
Facial cleansing with water, upon waking, then using a gentle cleansing product before bedtime, will assure removal of the day’s dirt and makeup. Toner may follow, depending on individual preference, as many are now less drying, formulated to offer additional hydration and remove makeup traces left behind after cleansing. The final, and necessary, step is moisturizing, beneficial to all skin types. With products designed to work with various complexions, a lighter weight moisturizer may be applied for daytime, especially pre-makeup, while a heavier cream can be applied for sleeping. Additionally, using an exfoliant, 2-3 times a week, sloughs off dead skin cells, stimulates cellular energy and promotes a nicer looking complexion.
What else does skin favor? Avoiding excessive sun exposure keeps it younger looking. Facial sunscreen is a smart daily habit, and many moisturizers and makeup foundations include it, making things easier. Besides applying sunscreen to exposed areas when sunning more than 15 minutes, an overall body lotion applied after showering will keep everything feeling suppler.
Drinking lots of water is also skin friendly. While nurturing the body’s internal health, the outward benefit is seen in more radiant looking skin. Moreover, recent evidence spotlights drinking white tea, for its anti-inflammatory benefits, slowing down collagen breakdown. Since collagen keeps skin firm and wrinkle-free, that’s significant.
Just as health is enhanced by water, a diet rich in skin loving nutrients does double duty. Increasing complex carbohydrates, protein, and essential fatty acids will emit a healthy glow, along with better blood sugar. Adding beans, vegetables, olive oil, nuts and whole grains to the mix, while reducing red meats, butter, and sugary processed foods, will make skin smile.
All-over body moisturizers, applied just after showering, preserve suppleness and prevent dryness. Some contain firming agents to fight cellulite and other unpleasant aging signs. Also, exfoliants for face and body, used 2-3 times per week, reduce dry, dead skin cells, making way for new ones.
Besides all of the above, getting enough sleep and relaxation, the lack of which contribute to stress and a haggard look, will result in younger, fresher looking skin. Best of all is that what your skin loves also contributes to your overall good health!
This was written by a leading dermatologist, who specialises in anti-aging treatments and skin care. Has recently reviewed and recommends the following product: biotherm reminerale
