How to Improve Skin

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Your skin is what the world sees on a daily basis.  It can tell all the stories of your life.  Your age and health are often reflected in your skin.  The main function of your skin is being the first line of defense between the outer world, blocking viruses, bacteria and pollution.  Skin also regulates body temperature, maintains fluid balance, and recognizes pain to alert us to danger. 

Eat Well 

Eating well makes your body healthy from the inside, which shines on the outside.  Eat foods that are rich in vitamins.  Mangoes contain antioxidants that help protect the skin.  Tomatoes have skin cancer-prevention benefits and can protect skin from sunburn.  Olive oil is associated with protection of your skin from aging to lessen wrinkles, dark spots, and discoloration.  Cocoa flavanols will improve the function and structure of the skin.  It also decreases the roughness and scaling on the skin.  Green tea is also rejuvenating to dying skin cells and helps with wound healing.  Kale is a great source of lutein that protects your skin from UV damage.  Soy is also a great food that can improve the appearance of wrinkles, especially crow’s feet around the eyes. 

Cut Calories 

Cutting calories can help with anti-aging.  As you slow down with caloric intake, the ribosomes in your cells slow down and that slows down the aging process.  Cutting alcohol can also be a way to lower cancer risk, as higher alcohol intake has been shown to be associated with basal cell carcinoma. 

Reduce Stress 

Obviously, a reduction of stress is great for all facets of your life.  However, stress often increases sebum production which leads to acne.  Finding ways to lower stress in your life is the best way to ensure that you have beautiful skin and a healthy body overall. 

Moisturize 

Moisturize your skin immediately after getting out of the shower, when pores are open and readily able to accept moisturizing ingredients.  Minimize hot water and use warm water for bathing.  Pat skin gently instead of scrubbing.  Wear clothing that is not irritable and use hypoallergenic laundry detergent.   

Don’t Smoke 

This is also a no-brainer; smoking is not good for you or your skin.  Smoking ages facial skin due to narrowing of blood vessels found in the outer layer of the skin.  This narrowing reduces blood flow, which reduces nutrients and oxygen the skin needs to remain healthy.  It also causes a breakdown of collagen in the skin, which gives the skin its youthful and elastic appearance. 

Beauty Sleep 

Make sure to get your sleep.  You need a good 7 to 9 hours of sleep to be healthy.  Sleep deprivation can manifest itself on your face in the form of poor skin tone and dark circles under the eyes.  When you are in a deep sleep, your body enters repair mode and regenerates skin and brain cells. If you aren’t getting deep sleep, you may not be able to repair skin cells and your skin may start to suffer.