What Does It Take To Have Beautiful Skin?

While not all of us were fortunate enough to have won the “genetic lottery” there are many, many ways we can improve our skin, and our overall appearance to actually BE more handsome or beautiful.

Most will agree, “beautiful skin” is skin that has few imperfections - no acne, or scars, no dark spots or red blotches. Beautiful skin always seems to glow.

Consumers today are bombarded daily with hundreds of ads and promotions, selling one product or another to give you “beautiful skin,”  but I’m here to tell you - if you don’t have a healthy body, you will never have really beautiful healthy, skin.

After years of suffering from acne, breakouts, redness and rashes and trying every skincare line I could find - I deiced to change my diet and see what would happen. I went on a RADICAL new way of eating healthy and guess what?  It worked!

It was really hard at first, I had to stop eating fast food, junk food, sugar, soda, candy, caffeine….  It took me over 6 months to slowly phase out all the chemicals I was injesting and relace that food with healthy alternative, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, iced teas, water and fruit juice  - I tried to go as organic and natural as possible as often as I could

Along with the is change in my diet, I did other healthy things for my skin, like taking walks, going to yoga, epsom salt baths, using herbal facial masks and natural skin care lines with no chemicals.

Here are some great ingredients to look for in your natural skincare:

Oatmeal - natural anti-inflammatory and skin softener

Chamomile - a natural anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and inflammation

Rosemary - Natural antibiotic, anti-microbial, astringent (great for acne)

Aloe Vera - natural skin healer, helps repair damaged cells or acne scars

Lavender:  natural anti-microbial and astringent

Marshmallow ( the herb - not the desert)  - helps reduce redness and inflammation

Green Tea - helps repair cellular damage to skin cells

Vitamins - A, C, E - all help repair skin and nourish

After 6 months of my radical new diet and my heral skincare treatments, I was getting shocked expressions from friends sying how radiant and beautiful I looked, they couldn’t believe the change.

So I advice you to give it go - try to limit the junk in your diet and choose healthy alternative, I KNOW you will see beautiful skin in no time.

TAKING PROPER CARE OF YOUR SKIN

How many of you have woken up in the morning only to see a stranger in the mirror looking back at you?  Years of good or bad choices can contribute to the quality of not only your body, but your largest organ - your skin.  The epidermis - or outer layer of skin- can be the first sign of how well you take care of yourself.  As the evidence of our lifestyle choices will eventually show up in far more than our skin, it behooves us all to take the best care of our body and skin that we can.

If your motivation for good skin care is to look more youthful, than taking proper care of your skin will have the added bonus of creating a healthier body.  If you wish to reduce acne breakouts, then a slight modification of diet might be necessary as well. Whatever your desired skin result, your overall health will be much improved by following a few easy steps.

Your everyday decisions shape how healthy you and your skin will be - it is that simple.

Here are some simple tips for basic skin care and a healthier body:

• Keep your skin clean so that it can breathe
• Give your skin plenty of moisture to keep it looking young and healthy
• Feed the skin key nutrients that it requires to rejuvenate and repair itself repeatedly
• Rid only the top layer of dead cells to promote rapid birth of new cells
• Protect against outside elements to prevent deterioration and/or damage
• Live a healthy life style

Skin is a living, breathing organ that regularly moves thousands of layers of skin cells each day. The skin is comprised of three layers - the subcutaneous layer  - where fat cells are produced;  the dermis - where you can find sweat glands, nerve endings and hair follicles, and the epidermis - the final outer layer of skin where pores and oil glands reside.

When new skin cells are ready, they start moving toward the epidermis. This trip takes about 2 weeks to a month. As newer cells continue to move up, older cells near the top die and rise to the surface of your skin.  So what you really see on the surface of your skin are dead skin cells.

Keeping your skin properly cleansed and moisturized is vital to healthy, glowing skin. It is the basic of all skincare routines. Be sure to choose a cleanser and moisturizer best suited for your skin type. If you aren’t sure what that is, ask your friendly pharmacist or dermatologist for help. You skin can be acne-prone, oily, dry or a combination of the two. There are hundreds of specialized products out there to suite every skin type.

Feeding the skin means feeding the body. A good skin care regime will always include a healthy diet full of nutrients and vitamins. Whole, organic foods are best if you can get them. Leafy greens, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains will keep your skin in top shape. Try to avoid junk foods or processed foods as much as possible. These foods rarely contain any real nutrition and can actually overload your skin with sugars and toxins to process.

A weekly light-exfoliation or facial scrub will do much to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells and reveal newer, healthier skin underneath. You can use a soft facial brush found in cosmetic counters, a rough washcloth or a light scrubbing pad as well as pre-packaged facial scrubs or facial masks.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure: While some sun exposure is necessary to produce vital Vitamin D, excessive sun exposure is very harmful to the skin. Without protection from the sun’s rays, more than 10 minutes of exposure each day can cause freckles, age spots, and spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, loose skin, a blotchy complexion and even skin cancer. If you must go outside, be sure to wear a good UV-blocking sunscreen like Zinc Oxide or wear protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves.

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE

Although you have no control over intrinsic factors of aging, such as genetics, you are largely in control of the extrinsic factors.  This is where you can make life-altering choices.

Don’t Smoke. You cannot have truly vital skin if you smoke, period.  Smoking depletes your body of essential vitamins, which means you can’t have a healthy body either. If you do smoke, try your best to quit. Plenty has been reported and verified on the dangers of smoking and there are now numerous programs, patches and nicotine replacement therapies that can help you quit.

Exercise: Exercise gives you vitality. If you want fresh and youthful skin, physical activity is a must. It not only tones your muscles, but it increases blood flow to all areas of your body, especially your skin. Regular exercise reduces your stress levels, increases levels of oxygen circulating throughout the body, promoting rejuvenation and repair.

Avoid or Moderate Alcohol: Overindulgence of alcohol causes a decrease in the body’s level of vitamin A. This is a very important antioxidant vitamin that supports body and skin health. Alcohol also dilates small blood vessels in the skin’s surface, creating blemishes and red blotches. Drinking too much alcohol can exacerbate acne-rosacea. Due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, skin wrinkles can occur after an extended period of alcohol abuse because the water in the body and skin is continually evaporated.

Reduce Stress: A good skin care routine and way of life can include meditation, yoga, relaxation, saunas, regular steams, exercise and most importantly, self love.

Get Plenty of Rest:  Lack of sleep shows up on the face in forms of dark circles, baggy eyes, and saggy skin. Research has shown that most adults function best with eight to nine hours of sleep each night. While we sleep, our skin gets a chance to rest and rejuvenate. Your skin truly does need its “beauty sleep.”

You’ve only got ONE body. Healthy choices that you CAN make every day will have tremendous effect on the quality of your life and health. The body has amazing repair capabilities, and once you stop or reduce toxic behaviors, it will be better able to heal itself.  Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your skincare routine.

Author: Rachelle Dupree
Vivoderm Natural Skincare

Coconut for Beautiful Skin

All of you know what a coconut looks like and what it actually is! Africans and Caribbean people have been benefitting from the use of coconuts since ages. Coconuts are a great way to detoxify the skin. The goodness of coconuts is indeed without comparison. Read on to know how coconuts can help to get you a good skin.

Products which are genuinely developed out of coconut have an excellent effect on skin. Coconut is known for its moisturizing properties. People with dry skin may resort to coconut derived products in order to gain instant relief from itchiness and dryness. Coconut is a chief flavor of a number of moisturizers and lotions.

Dermatologists also hold that coconut usage helps to suck excessive oil from the skin. As such, people with acne prone skin will benefit from the usage of coconut. The chief cause of acne is excessive oil deposition. Coconut usage helps to reduce such oil deposition thereby reducing the chances of acne breakouts.

Coconut Water- Coconut water may be added to your bucket full of water when you go for a bath. It may also be used in facial packs in place of normal water.

Coconut Oil- Coconut oil penetrates down into the skin with relative skin thereby leaving the skin dry and polished. Topical application of this oil lends a smoothness and radiant glow on facial skin. The oil also acts as a natural moisturizer.

Coconut Pulp- Coconut pulp can be used in facial masks. The pulp alone may be left on the facial skin to work. If good skin is desired, consistent usage of coconut facial masks is recommended.

Coconut Cream- African women swear by the advantages of coconut cream. The cream is nothing less than a magical concoction for people with dry and combination skin types.

Nutrients for Your Beautiful Skin!

Most people neglect the nutrition part and still expect to have a glowing and youthful skin. Yes, external factors play a very important part and we are not denying that. Following a good diet and a healthy lifestyle is however as important. Diet and lifestyle cannot be neglected. It is only an internally healthy skin which looks healthy on the outside. The following paragraphs will guide you on the importance of intake of proper nutrients in order to have a good skin.

Proteins are macro nutrients that help in the repair and growth of body tissues. Protein deficiency causes the skin to become dry, lifeless and worn out. If you think that your intake of proteins is inadequate, you may supplement it with protein tablets.

Next come carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are very essential for proper body functioning but most people do not realize the fact. Yes, one has to be extremely careful about the usage. For example, excessive sugar intake causes skin problems like acne etc. You may substitute normal sugar with brown sugar in such a case. Now you must be wondering as to how carbohydrates are good for the skin. It is because carbohydrates play an important part in blood purification that is freeing the blood from unnecessary toxins.

Contrary to what most people hold, fats are very essential to get a baby soft skin. Of course, excessive intake of fats is bad but your body does require fats in some quantity in order to get skin suppleness.

Vitamins are the most important of all nutrients when it comes to skincare. No wonder, cosmetic skin products containing multi vitamins have not only grown but tripled since the last two decades. Lack of adequate skin vitamins will make the skin look dull and dreary.

So, if you are not very serious about your eating and lifestyle, it is time you get so!

Is It Difficult To Get Beautiful Skin?

Everybody strives to disclose celebrity secrets to beautiful skin. Every person on this planet yearns for a truly flawless skin. If you think you read somewhere that home beauty secrets do not work, cross out that notion. It is baseless. Actually, home beauty secrets have no match! We all know that ‘Beauty is skin deep’ but that does not free us from making efforts to enhance our beauty. A beautiful skin is a healthy skin and as such everyone must work on adequate skincare.

Stress is the biggest enemy of your skin. As the level of stress hormones in the body increases, there is a counter increase in oil production. This excessive oil production may later cause a thousand more problems in the shape of pimples, blackheads and other severe forms of acne. The same is applicable to smoking. Excessive smoking causes lungs to pack up. Yes, intense smoking throws up beauty problems as well. As a result of continuous smoking, wrinkles begin to develop all around the mouth. Resultantly, the skin becomes dull and lifeless. Exfoliation of skin is therefore indispensable. When skin exfoliation is carried out in a methodological way, it helps to scrap off the outermost dead skin layer.

There are many skin products available in the market these days that promise instant beauty. While many of these may be genuine beauty products, there are many that are purely sham. The best part is that all beauty products self proclaim to be harmless. If that be, why do some people complain of certain products? Why do some people develop allergies post their usage? The golden rule is – Let the buyer beware!

How To Get Beautiful Skin?

There must hardly be a woman living on this planet who does not desire a skin as soft as that of a baby’s! In fact that is the skin type you should strive to maintain all throughout your life but unfortunately increasing pollution, crash diet and even worse lifestyle is making most of the people look older than their actual age! Moreover, people today find at a loss of time to devote to their skincare. Also, why just women? Even men desire to have a beautiful healthy skin sans any scars or rashes.

Beautiful skin cannot come to those who are hopelessly negligent as regards their skincare, sleep and diet. Those who are naturally blessed with a beautiful skin are super lucky, agreed but even they need to maintain their skin to make it remain forever beautiful. All in all, beautiful skin does not come easy. One has to work hard to either get one, in the first place or maintain one! Now, what is a beautiful skin? A beautiful skin is a healthy skin. A skin which is healthy inside out is automatically healthy.

Do not get duped by swanky advertisements. Use your own brains to decide which beauty product can work for you or just whether you actually need a beauty product in the first place.

Coming to what all should form a part of your diet, wholegrain food, lots of water, antioxidants and foods rich in omega 3 must form an indispensable part of your daily diet. Walnuts, fish liver oil and flaxseeds are tremendously rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Likewise pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants. Whole grain food helps to maintain skin hydration leaving your skin supple and moisturized.

Those who boast of a beautiful skin aren’t that way by sheer chance. They have been working on it; they still must be working on it!

Pamper Yourself To Get New Beautiful Skin

In the hustle and bustle of life, you often tend to ignore the needs and requirements of your skin which is why the health of your skin starts depleting by each passing day. Your skin needs to be extremely healthy so that you look fresh, young and vibrant. There are numerous skin problems that you may encounter primarily due to aging like acne outbursts, wrinkles, dark circles, blemishes and dullness. Aging is just one of the factors. Other causes may include abrupt weather conditions, unhealthy diet, low moisture content of skin and increased stress levels.

Water is extremely essential for your skin to keep it hydrated and free from blemishes. The ideal quantity of water intake that you should compulsorily adhere to is approximately 8 ounce glasses of water per day. Water helps to eliminate toxins and other body wastes from your system in order to give you glowing skin. Apart from water intake, your food habits also play a significant role in ensuring good health of your skin. Oily and junk food items are a complete “NO” as these foods are extremely unhealthy that may cause you several skin problems. You must eat lots of fruits and vegetables for that natural glow on your face. Resort to low-fat milk products to keep you healthy and fit. Try to incorporate those food items that are extremely rich in essential vitamins and minerals like eggs, chicken and walnuts.

Your skin needs to breathe which is why you should resort to regular deep cleansing in order to get that new beautiful skin that you may have longed for. Periodic visits to spas and beauty therapies can also keep your skin healthy and nourished. Skin nourishment is utterly important to keep your skin away from unhealthy skin conditions. In order to accomplish, try to incorporate skin care treatments as a part of your daily routine.

Aging and Prevention for Beautiful Skin

Aging is a normal process of life and the evidence of aging shows on our skin. As we age skin begins to thin, dry and dull due to slow cell turn over. New skin cells do not grow as quickly, resulting in thinning skin. As a result, dead skin cells shed less quickly making the appearance of the skin dull and dry. Collagen and elastin-the system of fibers that make skin firm and elastic-begin to break down, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Pigmentation is more prominent as we age when melanocytes, (which produce skin pigment) begin to produce irregularly. Research has shown there are two different factors in aging; intrinsic or internal and extrinsic or external.

Intrinsic aging, the natural course of aging, has to do with genes and inheritance. Natural aging begins at birth; however, signs of aging begin to appear on the skin in our mid 20’s. Intrinsic aging includes slower cell turn over, and less collagen production. Elastin begins to break down which acts like a rubber band enabling our skin to stretch and snap back. Visible signs of intrinsic skin aging include fine lines, loss of suppleness, dry and thin skin.

Extrinsic aging are the external factors that age the skin. These include sun exposure, health and diet, gravity, sleeping positions, smoking, drinking and even facial expressions. External factors cause premature aging to the skin and can become visible rather quickly.

While intrinsic factors are mostly uncontrollable, fortunately, extrinsic aging is controllable. Skin aging is a normal process however, premature aging of the skin can be prevented. A healthy lifestyle, yearly physical exams and topical care of the skin can prevent premature aging. A healthy, active life style will create healthy, strong skin from the outside in, preventing premature aging. Physical exams may catch early signs of skin damage that then can be treated. Topical skin care allows the skin to absorb ingredients through topical products that aid in building the epidermis and dermal layers of skin, the skin that is and will become visible. Topical care includes skin care products such as cleansers, moisturizers, serums and sunscreens.

To prevent premature aging is to treat your skin as one of a kind. There are many different skin types, meaning what one person is doing to take care of their skin is not necessarily what you need to be doing to treat your skin. However, the most important products to aid in preventing premature aging are cleansers, exfoliates, moisturizers with hydrators and sunscreens. Cleansers will cleanse the skin clearing excess oil, dirt and debris. Exfoliates will slough off dead skin, deep clean pores and result in smoother more even skin tone. Moisturizers with hydrators will keep the skin supple and moist, while sunscreen will help to protect the skin from sun damage. It is also important to consider skin care products that include essential oils and antioxidants to help fight off free radicals that can further damage skin cells. Always consult a dermatologist before starting any skin care routine.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Tips for New, Beautiful Skin

Tips for New, Beautiful Skin

Our skin is the reflection of our health and vitality, physical, mental and emotional wellness. A radiant and glowing skin indicates good health, positive attitude and vibrates self-confidence. On the other hand, a dull and blemished skin shows an unhealthy body, stressful lifestyle and carelessness towards one’s own personality.

Who doesn’t want to look good, and good looks start with good skin. You may think it’s not such a big issue; there are several products in the market to make the skin beautiful and glowing in a jiffy. But as you use them, you must also be realizing that it is not so. These cosmetic products produce temporary effects on skin, have lots of side effects, and are very costly and not suited to all skin types. Then, what’s the way out? Here’s where we come to our topic of discussion, to care for the skin in a natural way that is natural skin care.

Natural skin care is not just about using skin products produced without chemicals; it’s an ongoing process of a result of a healthy life-style, right diet and off-course right skin products to be applied directly.

First of all, natural way of caring for skin starts with some life-style changes we need to take care of.

Getting enough sleep: ‘Beauty sleep’ is not just a saying; its meaning goes far beyond that. As the rest of the body, for healthy skin, sleeping adequately is a must. At least 7 – 8 hours of sleep (hours vary for person to person), ensures a relaxed mind and body, normal blood flow, takes care of all wear and tear during the day, energizes you and brings the glow back in the morning. Dark circles around the eyes, blotchy skin, and lifeless appearance of face are all side effects of not getting enough sleep. So switch off that TV, log-off your laptop, and get from the party on time to catch a good night’s sleep.

Get Moving: Now that you’ve got enough sleep, its time for some exercises as well. Be active, walk, jog, exercise, hit the gym, do stretches during office hours too, take the stairs, do anything to keep moving. Inactivity affects the skin by promoting bloating and puffiness, cellulite and loss of muscle tone. Exercise also helps us to relax and de-stress, both necessary for a healthy skin.

Drink lots of water: Water helps to detoxify the body’s system, bathes the cells, eliminates waste products, help in digestion, purify blood and the list goes on and on. The point is to have at least 2 liters of water a day, avoid carbonated and sweetened drinks and have fresh juices and soups as additional source of fluids.

For a shiny and smooth skin, drinking honey mixed in warm water in the morning helps a lot. Secondly, natural way of caring for skin by eating right. Let’s discuss some basic points: Have lots of fiber: Eating food that is rich in fiber help a good digestion and constipation is totally taken care of. This eliminates the root of many skin problems like acne, psoriasis, spotty skin etc. we must have lots of fruits, fresh veggies, whole grains, and salad. The idea is to cut on processed food and fast food because these contain almost no fiber. Eating things in their natural form is the mantra to get the most benefit out of it.

Cut on excess sugar: The more we take sugar, the more sugar enters our bloodstream. Over some time, this results in a process where the glucose molecules damages protein molecule by sticking to it. This causes damage in collagen, cartilage and ligament, thus forming wrinkles. So, the next time, you are adding the second spoon of sugar to your tea/ coffee or going to bite on your favorite sweet…think again!!

Get some good fats: These are the fats needed to build cells, membrane, hormones etc. Lack of the good fat can lead to eczema, acne and dry skin. The sources to get these fats are cold-water fish, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, nuts; also you can try fish oil supplements.

Apart from these basic dietary requirements, we need to have a balanced diet containing Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Fats, all essential ingredients which comprises an adequate diet. This is absolutely vital for a healthy body and mind along with a smooth, glowing skin.

Last but not the least, we come to the most interesting part of out discussion.

Natural skin care products, to be applied regularly for best results. According to the classic definition of natural skin care products, these are products found and used in their natural or raw form without any chemicals and manufactured in such a way so as to preserve the integrity of the ingredient.

There are many products, which can be bought from the market, manufactured by reputed companies. But best is to spend a little time and prepare some easy recipes for taking care of common skin problems and daily cleansing and toning.

Skin Care Tips:

· Stop using manufactured soap on your face (if possible, on body also). Use gram flour and milk to make a paste. Apply it gently and rub a little, then wash off with water. Or try any number or organic or natural soaps now on the market, made with soothing aloe vera or inflammation-reducing, oatmeal to name a couple.

· Massage body with mustard oil 10 minutes before bath, and then take a warm bath. Your skin will be moisturized and smooth.

· Massage your body with milk. Milk moisturizes your skin naturally.

· For daily cleansing, mix sandal wood powder with rose water and add 4-5 drops of milk in it, then apply on face and body. After 10 minutes, take a warm bath.

· Warm honey and mix with lemon juice, then apply on face. Let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. It refreshes and cleanses your skin.

· For preparing natural bleach, mix lemon juice in milk. Then massage it on your face and body. It bleaches you skin naturally.

· To remove sun-tan, mix cucumber juice with tomato juice, rub on skin, wash off with cold water.

· Mix milk cream with flour, apply that paste on to your skin, then wash off to get a smooth skin.

These are the basic ways of caring for skin naturally. The glow and radiance that comes with the natural care practice is for all to see and is everlasting. Just remember: Beauty is not skin deep…still it starts with the skin!!

Know more on Natural Skin Care through herbal cure and aromatherapy. Also read more about the benefits of Bath Salts.

Learn more on Ayurveda – through World’s Finest Portal on Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies.

By Dr John Anne

Article Source: Natural Skin Care Main Section

Five Tips for Beautiful Skin

Tip 1: Give Yourself a Dry Brush Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush.

Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced “good” vs. “bad” bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are:

* Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.

* Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.

* Some suggestions:
1. Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2. An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3. Eat Cauliflower - Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
4. High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.
5. Try a “Prune Power” Smoothie - Prunes are a great source of fiber. Start your day with this tasty Prune Power smoothie.
6. Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.
7. Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.

Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone.

* Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
* Book a massage therapy appointment.
* Close your door and stretch.
* Go to the gym.
* Start each morning by stretching.
* Get a skipping rope - raise your heart rate and do some good cardio.

Tip #4: Avoid Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag.

* Try This - It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!

Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy, fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting more essential fats:

* Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or used for cooking.
* Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of their lives they spend at sea.
* Supplements - Consider fish oil supplements.

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