Part 2: Achieving Healthy Skin Through A Healthy Lifestyle

The continuation of my earlier blog,

5. Avoid Cigarette Smoke Smoking causes premature aging by robbing the cells of life-giving oxygen. Smoking triples the risk of squamous cell skin cancer, and being around smokers can produce the same effects. Also the habitual act of inhaling the cigarette smoke puckers the lips, producing excessive wrinkles around the mouth. There is no getting around it—smoking hastens aging for the face and body.

6. Consider Skin-Savvy Supplements While it’s best to get nutrition from diet, supplements can be an important part of a healthy skin lifestyle. Vitamin E protects skin from air pollution, and vitamin C fights free radicals. Most American diets are deficient in essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are the building blocks for cell walls. Supplementing your diet with 300-400 mg of GLAs (gamma linoleic acids) from borage oil and taking two tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily can give your skin what it needs to regenerate. Hemp seed oil and hemp protein powders are also packed with EFAs. As with all dietary supplements, please check with your doctor before using to ensure it is safe in conjunction with any other medications you may be taking or any health conditions you may have.

7. Drink Tea We’ve heard about the battle between bad free radicals, which damage cells, and good antioxidants, which neutralize them. Green tea has long been known as a potent source of antioxidants, and an even better choice is red tea or rooibos. A caffeine-free herb from South Africa, rooibos contains a higher dose of antioxidants than green tea. Possessing a rich, brewed flavor, red tea has also been known to balance blood-sugar levels and nourish the liver – both essential for healthy skin.

8. Use Sunscreen Daily You’ve heard it before, but it is worth repeating—sunscreen is vital to avoid premature aging. Harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds cause premature aging, wrinkles and also increase the risk of skin cancer. Many skin care products contain sunscreen, so be sure to apply it daily 30 minutes before going out into the sun. There is no such thing as a healthy tan, but if you can’t imagine yourself without your sun-kissed skin, then try one of the many self tanning sprays or lotions on the market today. The formulations are so advanced now that orange tinted skin and streaking are a thing of the past.

9. Get a Monthly Facial Getting a monthly facial helps slow signs of aging, improves skin quality, and can help ease skin conditions, including acne and rosacea. Facial deep cleansing aids the skin in its ability to eliminate toxins, exfoliation rids the face of dead skin cells, making room for new cells to grow, and facial massage stimulates circulation, easing puffiness. Extractions can be performed, if needed, allowing the pores to be free of oils and debris and eliminating excess breakouts. Finally, a moisturizing masque replenishes the skin for a healthy glow.

10. Adopt a Daily Skin Care Regimen Just from being out in the world, our skin picks up dirt, dust and pollutants from the environment. Cleansing twice a day, moisturizing daily, and exfoliating keeps your skin toxin-free and healthy. Your skin care specialist can help you find the best products for your skin care needs and teach you how to best use them. Improper face cleansing is common and can lead to or exacerbate numerous skin conditions.