Natural Skin Care is Right at Home

Friday, April 17, 2009 by: Melanie Grimes
Tags: natural products, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Healthy skin reflects outer beauty and inner health. Treat your skin from both inside and out to create a radiant glowing complexion. Internally, you can feed your skin by nutrition and lifestyle changes. External treatments protect the skin from damage, replenish moisture and nutrients.

Skin elasticity
The skin is made of collagen and elastin, which are elastic fibers that relax as we age. This relaxation causes wrinkles. To rebuild collagen, eat foods high in vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Moisturize
Another important factor in vibrant skin is moisture. Drink plenty of water daily and protect the skin with skin lotions to create a barrier from environmental factors. Many skin creams contain moisture-retaining ingredients.

Nutrients for healthy skin
Taking healthy nutrients into the body is the best way to keep skin health.
1.Vitamins. Vitamins A, E, and C improve the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin CoQ10 also promotes collagen production.
2.Anti-oxidants remove free radicals that damage skin. One of the foods with highest anti-oxidants is chocolate, if you get health chocolate without additives and sugar, as well as acai berries and blueberries.
3.Products to avoid
Keep your skin free of damaging chemicals.
1.Petroleum jelly. This prevents the skin from breathing and traps toxins.
2.Mineral oil. Derived from petroleum, mineral oil speeds up the aging of the skin.
3.Sodium lauryl sulfate. The ingredient dries the skin and breaks down the natural moisture barriers.
4.Talcum powder. A known carcinogen.
5.Color. Most colorants are made from coal tar.
6.Paraben. Used as a preservative, this is a known toxin.

Lifestyle
Simple lifestyle changes can enhance your skin inexpensively.
1.Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated.
2.Protect skin from environmental pollution and ultraviolet light by using a daily sunscreen and moisturizer.
3.Use a gentle daily cleanser. Electronic face-scrubbing brushes are especially helpful to unclog pores.
4.Avoid sun exposure and alcoholic drinks. Both are known to age skin.
5.Eat plenty of health-giving natural foods and vegetables.

Natural skin products
Many creams contain these valuable ingredients, or you can use them as individual additions to your daily skin care regime.
1.Buttermilk contains natural alpha-hydroxyacid, used in chemical peels.
2.Coconut oil provides a natural moisture barrier.
3.Almond oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids and has been used since Biblical times.
4.Lavender tightens the skin with natural tannins.
5.Grape seed extract is a strong anti-oxidant that protects the collagen and forms more elastic skin cells.
6.Amla fruit has been used in India for thousands of years for its anti-aging properties.

To make your skin glow drink plenty of water, use natural moisturizers, eat nutrients to encourage collagen production and keep your skin clean. Nourish your skin from the inside and the outside to bring out your inner glow.

http://1stholistic.com/Beauty/skin/skin_natu...
http://www.skin-care-recipes-and-remedies.co...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender

About the author

Melanie Grimes is a writer, award-winning screenwriter, medical journal editor, and adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University. She also teaches homeopathy at the Seattle School of Homeopathy and the American Homeopathic Medical College.
A trained homeopath, she is the editor of the homeopathic journal, Simillimum, and has edited alternative and integrative medical journals for 15 years. She has taught creative writing, founded the first Birkenstock store in the USA and authored medical textbooks.
Her ebook on Natural Remedies for the Flu is available at:
http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/2009/04/b...
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