Practical ways to maintain a healthy skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, accounting for approximately 16 per cent of our total body weight and has approximately 300 million skin cells.   The skin not only acts as a protective layer to the internal structures, it also assists the colon, lungs and kidneys in the elimination of toxic waste.  Having a healthy skin is not only for cosmetic purpose it is a reflection of how well your eliminatory organs are functioning and if there are any vitamins and mineral deficiencies.   A healthy skin generally reflects a healthy body.  Through simple changes in your daily routine, you too can have a healthy and beautiful skin that is not necessarily based on expensive skin care products.  Here are some tips for a healthy skin:

1.    Drink lots of water. It is important to keep your skin well hydrated.  Drinking plenty of water keeps skin cells plump and flush out toxins through the kidneys and colon.  To keep your skin moist and supple, without wrinkles, aim to drink at least 10-12 glasses of water daily.

2.    Minimize exposure to the sun. Too much sun exposure can damage the skin, cause premature wrinkles and lead to skin cancer. Protect yourself from the harsh sun rays by wearing sunglasses, a hat and sun block with at an SPF of 15 or higher.
  
3.    Eat nourishing food.  Avoid refined and processed foods, especially those that may cause pimples or breakouts including chocolate, fast food, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, fried food, pastries and cakes.  Go for a healthy, well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.  Vitamins and minerals rich in anti-oxidants are good nutrients for the skin. 

4.    Regular exercise – running, yoga, aerobics, cycling, walking, skipping – is an important part of maintaining the skin’s elasticity. Exercise increases blood flow to the skin giving it a healthy glow.
 
5.    Moisturise the skin. Spend a few minutes everyday massaging moisturiser into your face. Ideally you should cleanse and moisturise your face morning and night.  Avoid moisturisers with paraffin or mineral oil they don’t allow the skin to breath.

6.    Get a good night rest. Sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on your body in general and this shows on your face.  Getting enough sleep gives your skin enough time to rejuvenate itself.

7.    Remove make-up.  Remove your make-up and cleanse the face of the day’s debris. A cheap and easy method is to put moisturiser on cotton wool and use it to wipe the face.  Remember, excessive washing depletes the surface oil in the outer layers of the skin and may provoke dermatitis or worsen dry skin.

8.    Stop smoking.  Smoking not only depletes the body of essential nutrients it is has a drying effect on the skin and causes premature aging and yellowing of the skin.  Inhaled smoke constricts the blood vessels and thus reduces the amount of blood flowing to the skin, robbing your skin of essential nutrients.

9.    Exfoliation. Regular cleansing such as exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and smooth rough areas are essential part of your effort toward a healthy and beautiful skin.

10.    Cleanse with lukewarm water. Hot water tends to cause the skin to lose moisture and may also break down its natural protective barrier. Hot baths and showers have been reported to cause flushing and trigger flare-ups.

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