Forget those lotions, potions, and skin creams that promise to keep your skin looking natural and beautiful. My mother is in her 60s and still has beautiful looking skin. And she did it by following these lifelong practices.
Number one: Drink more water! See I told you this was going to be easy. Yet, because it's so simple, it's often a forgotten necessity. Water hydrates skin cells and gets rid of waste products that can lead to clogged pores. Your skin wonn't look as vibrant as it should. Here's a tip! You wouldn't water your plants, or give your pets extremely cold ice water would you? No you wouldn't. So don't do this to yourself. Periodically, a cold glass of water is what the body needs to cool off, but drinking warm or room temperature water, can actually keep the body's natural flow of energy stabilized. Imagine how your plants would feel if you watered them with chilly, cold, ice water.
Number two: Eat more fiber, less sugar, and good fats! Statistics show that people only eat about a third of the recommended daily dose of fiber. Here's a few ways to get more fiber in your diet. Choose to eat whole grains instead of refined. Use brown rice instead of white, or mix them both together. Eat an apple a day. There is wisdom in the phrase," an apple a day keeps the doctor away". Consume more beans and legumes. Add your favorite beans to your next meal. Snack on nuts instead of sugary treats. Keep some seeds, or nuts handy, for when you feel that hunger urge coming on. Add flax seeds to your diet. Sprinkle them on salads, and rice dishes, or other favorite meals.
It's no wonder that diabetes is becoming a disease of epidemic proportions with so much sugar being consumed by people. Over time, excess sugar in our system leads to the unwanted process of glycation. This is when glucose molecules damage protein molecules by sticking to them. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end products. These molecules slowly destroy collagen in the skin. Plus you get fat if you eat too much sugar. Your body stores this fat for later use. Unfortunately, it's never used, because of poor eating habits. That brings us to her next area of recommendation; eating good fats.
You cannot live without fatty acids. Your skin, your heart, the ability to fight off inflammation, acme, and eczema, are derived from eating foods that contain proper fatty acids. Cool water fish such as sardines and salmon are too great sources of essential fatty acids. Flax seed oil can also be used to keep your skin and body in tip top shape. And if you don't care for any of those type of foods, consider trying fish oil supplements.
Number three: Exercise more! Exercise increases circulation, and as my reflexologist used to say," Circulation is life". If you've got a desk job, take an invigorating walk during a break. Incorporate stretching into your daily routine. Hit the gym if you haven't been in months, or get started by becoming active in your favorite sport. You can even include walking or riding a bike.
While these steps seem simple and common sense, it's amazing how often they are just brushed aside. It's a lifelong choice, which will keep your body and skin, looking and feeling healthy and natural.
