Your skin is not only your body’s covering, but an actual organ that serves many purposes. Your skin serves as the first line of defense against outside dangers: bacteria and viruses, sun and wind, bump and cuts, etc. Your skin should be treated and nourished as you would any other organ you wish to keep healthy. The additional benefit of nurturing your skin, as opposed to other organs, is the positive esthetic result; a glow that reflects the healthy condition of the skin. Here are some tips to acquiring that healthy glow:
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C,E, and beta-carotene. These vitamins are considered antioxidants which bind up free radicals in your body. Free radicals can damage cellular components like DNA and cell membranes. At this point, the cell may not function properly or die. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, spinach, broccoli, and strawberries. Vitamin E is found in nuts, fish oils, whole grains, apricots, and seeds. Foods loaded with beta-carotene are carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, citrus fruit and lean beef.
- Exercising encourages healthy circulation, increasing blood flow to the skin. Blood caries and delivers oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to skin cells, keeping them vital. The increased blood flow to the skin will also cause neuronal stimulation of the sweat glands, allowing them to purge the pores of toxins. Another benefit of exercise is the production of natural oils which will naturally moisturize the skin.
- Avoid long hot showers or baths. They strip your skin of its natural oils. The same is true of strong soaps, such as deodorant soap, so they should be avoided as well.
- Good sleep habits allow for increased cell turnover and production. It is not a surprise that your body regenerates during a good night’s sleep. The term “beauty sleep” is based in fact.
Employing these tips will allow you to see even better results from your skincare regime. Beauty really does start from the inside out. That radiant glow of healthy skin is not entirely dependent on your genetic predisposition. As a matter of fact, genes are only responsible for a fraction of the skin’s appearance and characteristics.
