| The quest for youthful skin is not just | | | | Because the accumulation of chemicals in |
| a sign of vanity - it's a sign of the | | | | the body contributes to disease and |
| desire to be healthy. Because the skin | | | | aging, a good rule of thumb is to avoid |
| is the largest organ in the body, it | | | | putting anything on your skin that you |
| deserves our attention to keep it in | | | | wouldn't eat. |
| optimum health. Recognizing that our | | | | 5. Increase Your Circulation: Sweating, |
| skin is a reflection of our overall | | | | both through exercise or the use of a |
| health, many people are turning towards | | | | steam room or sauna, cleanses skin and |
| natural means to keep skin looking and | | | | removes toxins from the body. |
| feeling its best. | | | | 6. Increase Your Intake of Essential |
| Our skin serves five main purposes: it | | | | Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids, |
| acts as a mechanical barrier to | | | | available in flaxseed and fish oils, are |
| infections; it provides the sense of | | | | needed to make cell membranes and |
| touch through recognizing heat, cold, | | | | hormones. They improve heart health, |
| pain and vibration; it regulates body | | | | fight inflammation, and possibly prevent |
| temperature through evaporation of | | | | cancer. They are also particularly |
| sweat; it excretes waste products and | | | | important for people with skin |
| excess salt through the pores; and in | | | | conditions, such as eczema, acne and dry |
| the presence of sunlight, it synthesizes | | | | skin. |
| and stores vitamin D, which is helpful | | | | 7. Improve Your Digestion: Skin |
| for immune function. Good skin care can | | | | disorders are often associated with |
| help delay the natural aging process and | | | | digestive disorders, such as |
| prevent many skin problems. These simple | | | | constipation, imbalance in the normal |
| skin care habits will help you to | | | | flora, candida infections, leaky gut, |
| protect your skin and keep it healthy | | | | etc. If elimination through the bowel |
| for many years to come. | | | | is compromised, then toxins will leave |
| 1. Boost Your Water Intake: Our skin is | | | | through another channel of elimination - |
| 70% water so it is important to keep | | | | the skin - leading to rashes, acne, |
| properly hydrated. While increasing | | | | rosacea, psoriasis, etc. |
| water intake, it is also helpful to | | | | 8. Use Organic, Natural Oils and Plant |
| avoid dehydrating beverages containing | | | | Products as Moisturizers: Products |
| caffeine, such as soda and coffee. | | | | such as aloe vera, coconut oil, jojoba |
| Adequate water plumps skin cells and | | | | oil, shea butter, mango butter, and palm |
| removes waste. | | | | oil contain vitamins, minerals, and |
| 2. Try Dry Brush Exfoliation: Dry brush | | | | amino acids, which support collagen and |
| exfoliation involves the use of a soft, | | | | elastin production, removal of dead skin |
| natural bristle brush to gently brush | | | | cells, and immune function. |
| the skin. To perform dry brush | | | | 9. Protect Your Skin from the Sun: |
| exfoliation, brush dry skin in small | | | | Overexposure to ultraviolet light - the |
| circles towards the heart before a | | | | invisible but intense rays from the sun |
| shower. Because the skin is an organ of | | | | - leads to skin damage. The sun's rays |
| elimination, exfoliating eliminates dead | | | | are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 |
| skin, it allows skin to detoxify, it | | | | p.m. To protect your skin, minimize |
| improves lymph and blood circulation, | | | | exposure during the stronger midday |
| and the gentle pressure calms the | | | | hours, wear protective clothing and |
| nervous system. | | | | hats, and use chemical-free sunscreen. |
| 3. Avoid Sugar: Sugar consumption is | | | | 10. Don't Smoke: Smoking decreases |
| known to be one of the causes of | | | | blood flow to the skin, depleting the |
| premature aging. Excess sugar in our | | | | skin of oxygen and nutrients, which |
| bloodstream leads to the breakdown of | | | | ultimately leads to aging and wrinkle |
| collagen, which causes skin to wrinkle | | | | formation. |
| and sag. | | | | While it is impossible to stop aging, |
| 4. Avoid Putting Chemicals on Your Skin: | | | | there are many simple things we can do |
| When you apply chemicals to your skin, | | | | to slow the process. Incorporating |
| through deodorant, lotion, cosmetics, | | | | these lifestyle, diet, exercise, and sun |
| and sunscreen, the chemicals are | | | | exposure tips will help you to keep your |
| absorbed and they enter your | | | | skin youthful and glowing for years to |
| bloodstream, eventually become | | | | come. |
| integrated into your body's tissues. | | | | |