Achieving Healthy Skin Through A Healthy Lifestyle

The old saying “beauty is only skin deep” isn’t exactly true. Recent studies estimate that U.S. sales of anti-aging products are approaching $30 billion a year. While these products may play an important role in the fight against aging, lifestyle choices grounded in maintaining overall health are the best ways to achieve glowing skin. The bottom line is—looking healthy is about being healthy—there’s just no getting around it. The following are my top suggestions for a healthy body, and consequently, glowing skin.

1. Get Adequate Sleep: Everyone has seen those puffy eyes and dark circles staring back at them in the mirror after a short night. More than any other factor, lack of sleep shows in the face. The nightly sleep cycle is the time when our skin cells regenerate and our nervous system resets. With busy schedules and constant demands for your time, getting the right amount of sleep takes discipline. Eight hours is the recommended time needed for a restful night’s sleep, so plan your evening activities to where you can be in bed at a reasonable hour. To get the best sleep possible, avoid caffeine after 2pm and alcohol three hours before bedtime. Also, try to keep a regular schedule by going to sleep and waking up around the same time each day. Your body will definitely appreciate the routine.
2. Drink Eight Glasses of Water Daily: The best way to moisturize your skin is from the inside out. As you may know, our bodies are 70 percent water and our cells require water to function properly. Water is also essential for cells to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste, which could otherwise manifest as skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Drinking eight glasses of water daily, we give our skin what it needs to stay healthy. There are plenty of ways to get your daily dose of water without becoming bored with it. Try flavored waters, caffeine free teas, and don’t forget those fruits and vegetables!
3. Eat a Complexion-Conscious Diet: Foods rich in beta carotene—such as spinach, apricots, peaches, sweet potatoes and carrots—provide the raw materials for the body to produce vitamin A, essential for cell growth. Citrus, tomatoes and berries contain vitamin C needed for collagen production, and protein-rich foods such as lean red meat, chicken and fish are also necessary for healthy collagen. Avocados, nuts and whole grains contain high concentrations of vitamin E, which has been shown to protect the skin against pollutants. A balanced diet of whole grains, protein, and fresh vegetables and fruits provide the body with what it needs to grow strong, clear skin.
4. Maintain a Regular Exercise Routine: Exercise promotes circulation as well as healthy perspiration. Skin cells need adequate circulation to reproduce, and perspiring helps the skin eliminate waste and flushes the skin and body of toxins. Of course, regular exercise is an important part of a general health routine, and our skin reaps the benefits. The American Heart Association recommends 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling several times per week. Pairing up with a personal trainer can help you to develop a personalized plan and ensure that you are stretching and performing your routine safely and correctly for an optimal outcome.

For more tips, look for part two of this blog later this week!