Nearly everyone covets glowing, healthy skin. As we age, our skin tends to take on a dull, colorless appearance that can make us look older than we are. Proper skin care can slow this process, make the skin more radiant, protect against skin cancer, and reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. With a few small changes to your skin care routine, you can have the glowing, healthy skin that you desire.
Take Your Vitamins
Eating a diet rich in vitamins is essential for glowing, healthy skin. Certain vitamins, including A, E and B-complex, are necessary for cell repair and formation and to prevent the development of pellagra, wrinkles, skin cracks and skin inflammation. If dietary sources are insufficient, taking a daily vitamin supplement is beneficial.
Drink Plenty of Water
The Institute of Medicine suggests that men drink at least 3 liters of water each day and that women consume about 2.2 liters each day to maintain skin health. Water helps flush toxins from the body and keeps the skin well hydrated, which helps to prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Exfoliate Daily
Daily exfoliation removes any dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of the skin. A buildup of dead skin cells blocks pores and creates a dull, lifeless appearance. Regular exfoliation also enables moisturizing creams and lotions to penetrate to deeper layers of the skin.
Keep Your Skin Moist
Moisturizing your skin is essential to preventing dryness, combating the signs of aging, and maintaining glowing, healthy skin. Apply moisturizer every morning when you get out of the shower, when skin pores are open, and again before going to bed at night. If you have naturally oily skin, avoid moisturizers with an oil base.
Avoid Sun Damage
One of the most important things you can do for your skin is apply sunscreen every time you leave the house. Sunscreen protects your skin from skin cancer and helps prevent the breakdown of collagen. Collagen is needed to provide support for skin structures, and a loss of collagen results in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
Treat Skin Problems Promptly
Skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne, can cause permanent scarring and dimpling of the skin. Treating these conditions as they occur will prevent permanent damage and keep the skin looking healthy and radiant. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people who suffer from a chronic skin condition receive regular examinations by a dermatologist to prevent long-term complications.
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