Getting Healthy Skin Without Bad Chemicals

Your skin is like an advertisement for your inner health. If you take care of yourself, exercise regularly, and consume a balanced diet, you will exude a healthy, attractive glow. If you eat a lot of junk food, barely exercise, smoke, or consume alcohol in excess, this will come across in a poorly colored and splotchy complexion. Of course, there are any number of reasons why skin looks good or bad, but health is undoubtedly the most important factor, and it’s the one that you have the most control over. You can’t change your genes, but you can control your own behavior.
The problem with most skin-care products is that they contain tons of weird synthetic chemicals that can’t be good for you skin. Even if you do everything else right, drowning your otherwise healthy skin in a bunch of factory-produced toxins is not going to do your complexion any favors. The good news is that there are ways to get healthy skin naturally, without resorting to overpriced, overrated products. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

>Hydration
You’ve probably heard the common myth that we need 8 glasses of water a day in order to be healthy. This has been proven to be an exaggeration, but the basic fact remains. Water is essential for all the body’s system, but it’s especially crucial for the skin, which uses water to flush out toxins and build new cells. Rather than counting glasses, just be sure to sip water throughout the day, and avoid overindulging in dehydrators such as coffee and alcohol.

>Moderate sun exposure
Too much sun can dry out the skin and in the long run can lead to rough skin, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, and even cancer. However, it is good for the body to get a certain amount of sun every day. You don’t need much; just a few minutes will do. If you’re going to be out in the sun for any longer than that, protect your skin with SPF sunscreen made of natural chemicals. It also helps to avoid getting too much sun exposure during the peak hours between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. During these hours, supplement your sunscreen by wearing hats and other items that cover the skin.

>Lifestyle
There are about a million reasons to quit smoking if you haven’t done so already, but here’s another one. Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do to your skin. It cuts off blood flow to the skin cells, which leads to premature wrinkles. Caffeine and alcohol are not quite as bad as smoking, but they should be kept to a minimum if you want to keep your skin in pristine condition. Moderate amounts of red wine can be beneficial due to wine’s antioxidant content, but again, don’t overdo it.
Good mental health is also crucial for healthy skin. Severe stress can lead to poor complexion and even breakouts. Finding time to relax will not just benefit your mood, but it will also give your skin a more healthy glow. There are any number of ways to encourage relaxation and reduce stress, but you might want to try methods such as yoga, which has huge benefits beyond the skin.
Meanwhile, you can’t have healthy skin without good sleep. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night so that your skin cells have plenty of time to rejuvenate. And during the day, there are plenty of little things you can do to keep your skin healthy. It may seem like a small thing, but simply keeping your hands away from your face when you’re not washing can do wonders.

>Diet
Everyone has heard about the benefits of antioxidants. Some of the claims about antioxidants’ power have been overblown, but there’s no denying that these little molecules can have huge benefits for the skin. Try to consume plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as berries, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, and you can also get a pretty good supply from things like red wine and green tea. In addition to antioxidants, these fruits and vegetables provide an array of vitamins and minerals that keep your skin fresh and your cells running smoothly.
In general, it’s best to go for vegetables that have the highest nutritional value, but try to get an array of foods rather than eating the same things over and over. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and chard contain numerous nutrients that are great for the skin, but if you rely on these too heavily you’ll end up missing out on crucial vitamins that other vegetables can provide. A good rule of thumb is to make an effort to eat four or five different colors of fruits and vegetables every day. It may seem simple, but it works.

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