Sure we all look better with a tan, but before this trend was popular, paleness was a sign of beauty and wealth. So where did we go awry? Well leave it to Coco Chanel to ignite a complete reversal of the image when arriving home from a vacation
looking bronze. This must have been the birth of the freckle, sun spot,
and skin cancer. Thankfully, with the advent of sunless tanning, we can
achieve the sun kissed look sans the damage. However, it does not
protect our skin from those nasty ultraviolet (UV) rays. So,
leave the house
without applying sunscreen, at least SPF 15. Most facial lotions
already have it mixed in, but be sure to double check the label.
Additionally, avoid the sun during the "Prime Tanning Hours" of
10am-4pm. If you do expect to spend an extended period of time out
during this time frame wear sun glasses, and a wide brimmed hat.
Squinting leads to the development of crows feet, and UV rays also cause
eye damage. Hats provide an extra layer of protection, and will also
keep color treated hair from fading prematurely.
Rule #2: Drink more water!
Put down that soda, and pick up a water bottle. You're not doing
yourself any favors by getting jacked up on caffeine all day. Caffeine
dehydrates the body which contributes to the drying, and aging of skin. Alcohol
also causes dehydration, and depletes the body of Vitamin A, an
important antioxidant. It can cause broken capillaries, and aggravates
rosacea. Excessive consumption of it damages the liver which then cannot
properly rid the body of toxins. Toxins accelerate the aging process,
and are accumulated from pollutants in the environment, and preservatives in food
and beverages. Water is the only fluid that can flush out these toxins.
An inadequate intake of water forces them to release through the skin
causing damage, and break outs. Proper hydration will also help
alleviate those unsightly dark circles under the eyes. So substitute
water for your usual iced coffee or appletini once a week,and maybe next
happy hour you'll be carded!
Rule #3: Quit stressing!
Stress and skin problems are directly related. So it's no coincidence that you have flair ups
the night before a presentation, or a party you've been planning.
Unfortunately, we can't avoid stress, but managed properly we can
prevent additional aggravation caused by skin problems stemming from it.
Stress causes an increased amount of oil production and secretion,
which if trapped under the skin leads to acne. An easy way to de-stress
is to break a sweat. Exercise will not only release Endorphins that
contribute to feeling happy, but produce sweat that will unclog pores.
It also increases circulation that helps deliver nutrients, and oxygen
to the skin making for a more glowing complexion. Sweating might not be
the most attractive process, but it's a natural alternative to harsh
chemicals in some facial cleansers, and an easy way to release stress.
So during periods of increased stress it's important to pay extra
attention to skin care.
Rule #4: Maintain a healthy diet!
Healthy skin starts from the inside out. Providing it with proper
vitamins and nutrients from is something that no cream can accomplish on
its own. Focus on adding foods rich in Omega-3, Vitamin C, A, and E to
your diet. Omega-3 found in seafood, increases the production of
collagen and elastin needed to keep the skin moist and youthful looking.
Vitamin C from fruits such as oranges, and grapefruits, while known to
boost the immune system, also negates the effects of free radicals;
unstable molecules found in the natural environment that age the skin.
Vegetables such as carrots, and spinach provide Vitamin A. This is a key
component in the fight against wrinkles because it is converted into
retinol, a compound in most all anti-wrinkle creams on the market. It
stimulates new cell growth that reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and
fine lines, as well as fades age spots. Lastly Vitamin E found in nuts
such as almonds, and walnuts, acts as an antioxidant that protects skin
cell membranes from damaged caused by exposure to UV rays. They also
contain fatty acids that help to prevent and treat dryness associated
with such skin disorders as acne, psoriasis and eczema. While purchasing
these vitamins in pill form sounds like a good idea, in some cases they
can have the opposite effects. So head to the grocery store and get
creative with skin care in the kitchen!
Rule #5: Be gentle!
Daily cleansing is a standard routine, but if performed too often or with overly harsh products
it can be damaging. Be gentle and keep it in moderation. Don't take
excessively hot or long showers. It will strip too much oil from your
skin forcing your body to overcompensate and produce excess oil. Also be
sure that your using a body soap that's free of synthetic ingredients
or chemicals. Remember our skin is a porous surface, and absorbs what's
put on it. Try an organic soap with all natural ingredients such as,
olive oil, and almond extract. They do the same job,
but without the unnecessary additives. After cleansing try not to rub
the water off, instead gently pat away excess moisture. Lastly, chose a
facial cleanser and moisturizer specific to your skin type. Limit
washing your face to twice a day, morning and night. Always follow with
moisturizer. Avoid products containing a high alcohol alcohol, and
fragrance, they can dry out your skin. Look for oil free, and
non-comedogenic products, they're designed to clean without leaving
residue that clogs pores. It may be a bit of an experiment, finding the
right combination of products that works for you but ultimately worth
the results.
Rule #6: Quit smoking!
Studies
find that smoking prematurely ages skin by disrupting your body's natural
process of breaking down old skin and replacing it with fresh skin. Smoking
also triples your risk of squamous cell skin cancer (not to mention numerous
other cancers).
So what have we learned? Mostly what we already knew, but don't make
enough time for. It's easy to forget why these things are important in
lives as busy as ours. It's time to get back to the basics. Use common
sense, be vigilant, and take care of yourself, not just for your skins
sake, but for
your sake.
