1. Junk food: This food which is overloaded with salt, sugar, fats and spices slow down the flow of important and essential juices which adversely affects the skin and gives rise to embarrassing skin blemishes. Therefore, you should always eat wholesome meals, simply cooked or not cooked at all with plenty of cereals, moderate amount of proteins and as much of fresh vegetables and fruits as you can eat.
2. Salt and sugar: They are white poisons and should be eaten to the barest of minimum. They not only increase your weight but are also enemies of a clear skin. White sugar contains no vitamins and minerals. Sugar in any form like sweets, desserts, chocolates, pastries, cakes, ice cream, etc. Not only give rise to diseases but are fattening and harmful for the skin. Similarly, salt is harmful to the skin. It encourages water retention and therefore puffiness of the skin. It should not be taken more than 2.3 gm daily which is the recommended daily intake.
3. Use steamed and grilled food: Avoid fried food. Instead grill, roast or bake food. If you want to eat fried foods then cut them into large pieces and fry them at high temperature so that food is fried quickly and therefore absorbs less oil. Pat off the excess oil with paper towels.
4. Drink plenty of water: Water is the nectar of life. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. This not only prevents constipation which gives rise to a sluggish skin but also puts a sparkle in your complexion and clears the blood stream of all the impurities.
5. Sleep: Get enough sleep in the night. If you have a sound sleep the body gets a chance to renew itself and decaying cells are eliminated through metabolic process. Average adult need 8 to 10 hours of sleep daily. Less hours of sleep can result in under eye dark circles, dead skin and disease like high blood pressure, besides it is a scientific fact that it shortens life considerably.
6. Take time for prayer and meditation: Meditation is of tremendous value for maintaining mental and spiritual health. Prayer and meditation are food for the soul, strength and beauty for the body.
7. Junk food reduces the most important mineral in our body, namely zinc. It is needed for the production of the new healthy cells on the skin. Therefore, eat some nuts and seeds daily which are a good source of zinc.
8. Intense heat and cold: These have bad effect on the skin. Heat has a drying effect on the skin. As the natural oils begin to dry the skin starts to wrinkle and brown spots appear on it. In hot weather therefore you should moisturize your skin regularly to replenish lost moisture and natural oils. As heat the cold. Both make the skin dry and rough. Intense cold gives the skin a flaky appearance and hastens the appearance of thread veins on the cheeks. Again moisturizing the skin regularly prevents the skin from going bad.
9. Swimming in the salt water is good for the skin but you should immediately wash off the salt water fresh water, otherwise the salt will make the skin dry and produce burning and itching. If your skin is extremely dry, you should never wash it with tap water because the salts and calcium in the water will make it drier; therefore always wash with mineral water. Never wash your face with hard water. Use softening substances like bath salts for bathing.
10. Air conditioners dry up the skin, so you should always apply a good moisturizing cream-every night. Always remove make up in the night fore going to sleep and make it scrupulously clean so that the cells have a chance to renew themselves.
Diet And Healthy Skin
Eat Right. Nothing beats a well-balanced diet for keeping skin healthy and beautiful. Eat meals high in fruits, and vegetables and other important nutrients to prevent blemishes. Greasy foods may cause unsightly acne outbreaks, as do chocolate, candy and soft drinks.
Hydrate. To keep skin tone and healthy, drink plenty of water and fruit juice. Experts recommend at least 8 glasses per day. Like other parts of your body, hydration helps keep your skin looking and feeling great.
Exercise. Staying active is good for your skin. Walking, running, or other aerobic activity increases blood flow, which increases collagen production, giving otherwise dull skin a more glowing and youthful look.
Stay Out Of The Sun. The sun is the skin's worst enemy. It ages skin prematurely and damages and poisons it for the future. Sunscreen is the best prevention. Use at least an SPF 15 whenever you go outdoors. Higher SPF coverage is required when planning to stay outdoors for longer periods of time. Remember to reapply often, especially in hot, sticky weather, and wear head and eye coverings, even on cloudy days to protect the head, neck and face..
Clean Your Skin Regularly. Healthy skin starts with clean skin. Washing your skin regularly with a gentle cleanser, and using a circular motion will help keep it healthy and radiant. To smooth away rough patches, exfoliate dry areas such as elbows, feet and ankles at least once a week. This releases dead skin cells, allowing the skin to remain better moisturized. Adding a homemade facial scrub once a week can also help clean the skin. Finally, moisturize with your favorite moisturizer. Just be sure that it is oil-free, oils found in some products can clog pores and cause unsightly acne outbreaks.
Choose Oil-Free Make-up And Other Skin Care Products. Oil-based products containing lanolin, isopropyl myristate, sodium lauryl sulfates and red dyes, are all to rich for the skin, causing blemishes, breakouts and reddened skin. Avoid soap also. It dries the skin, making it itchy, scratchy and flaky, especially during the cold winter months.
Know Your Skin Type. Not every skin type is the same, and not every skin type benefits from the same treatments. The main types of skin are: normal; oily and dry. Each some with their own unique problems and concerns. Learn what your skin needs, and then give it just that.
Both Nasrullah Mardani & Matthew Hick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.