7 Tips for Healthy, Beautiful Skin

I've been obsessed with skin care products since I was a teenager.  Since I have very oily, yet sensitive skin I have to pay close attention to what I use and was always looking for the newest and greatest product to help regulate my skin.  Over the years I've noticed that at least among the big national brands, every few months there seems to be a new miracle ingredient that's going to make this product the perfect one that will give you that beautiful, dewy skin and keep you forever young.  Each new miracle ingredient is better than the last.

I tried everything, including going to a dermatologist.  What I wish someone...anyone...had told me back then is that there is only so much that even the best skin care product can do.  Your skin is your largest organ and a reflection of your health.  If you aren't taking care of your health, your skin care products, no matter how good, aren't going to give you the results you are looking for.

When I am doing a consultation with a potential new client, the first thing I tell her/him is that there are a few things they need to do to really improve the health and vitality of their skin:

1. Drink plenty of purified water - As I mentioned in my article on changing your beauty routine with the season, it's important to drink plenty of water to keep your skin cells hydrated.  Drinking water also helps your body detox.
2. Get enough sleep -  While sleeping our body regenerates body cells & tissues, dissolves free radicals & detoxes our system.  Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, dark circles, puffy eyes and dull skin.
3. Minimize stress -  Stress can aggravate conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea.  An increase in stress can also make it more difficult for your skin to repair itself after injury.
4. Eat whole organic foods - Avoid processed foods with little nutrient value and eat whole foods that nourish the body, including skin cells.  Eat organic to make sure you are avoiding pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and GMOs.  Adding a high ORAC unit antioxidant can help with skin regeneration and fighting free radicals.
5. Exercise - In addition to being great for eliminating stress and losing weight, exercise also helps the body detox and brings oxygen to the skin.
6. Don't Smoke! - In addition to all of the ways smoking negatively effects your health, smoking also ages the skin making it dull and lifeless, often with fine wrinkles.  You can often tell someone who has smoked their whole lives by the condition of their skin.