Posted by Savneet Singh on May.17, 2010

ⓒ iStockPhoto - aleksandarnakic

Clear, glowing, gorgeous and blemish-free skin requires taking care of skin not only from the outside but also from inside. Skin glows if it is healthy, and if you are healthy. Lifestyle affects the appearance of our skin, particularly when it comes to acne.

Developing better skin habits like cleansing regularly, applying the right treatment products can prove to be helpful in maintaining your clear complexion clear to an extent, but it’s only when you target skin from both the outside and the inside that you’ll begin to see longer-lasting results. Healthy habits like eating the right foods, exercising consistently and taking out time for daily stress relief, are just a few measures to help your skin as well as your overall health.

Nutrient-Rich Diet

A healthy diet rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins - particularly vitamins A, C and E - is good for clear, smooth and softer skin. Vitamin A  internally, helps to increase skin-cell turnover. Vitamin A is found in foods like broccoli, cantaloupe, cod, red peppers, spinach and watercress. The recommended dietary allowance is 700 micrograms. Limit intake of iodine-rich foods/medications like kelp and seafood like shrimp and other shellfish.

You can also help your skin by becoming a vegan or vegetarian. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a positive and long lasting effect on the skin, and are rich in vitamins that can have anti-aging properties.

Sleep well and have plenty of water. Water helps in detoxifying your body and eliminates all the toxins which brings natural glow to the skin.

Combat Stress

Stress has a direct effect on your skin and can make skin problems even worse. When we’re under work pressure, we tend to move towards bad habits. For instance, we react to situations more emotionally and get angry more easily. We increase the intake of foods higher in fat and sugar because of the cravings. We sleep less. It all happens because of the hormone cortisol that is released during times of tension. Cortisol can trigger acne by causing inflammation. Thus, lapses in good habits create a doubly negative effect on overall health and on our complexion.

All you have to do is to find stress-relief techniques. Spending hours practicing stress-management techniques, meditating or doing yoga every day isn’t necessary. Just find a way to release the stress that works best for you. It can be taking a few deep breaths, playing with children or taking a walk out. Practicing a daily exercise regimen brings a healthy glow to your skin and stimulates blood flow to your entire body.

Keep Your Skin Clean

Don’t pick, poke and squeeze. All these activities force bacteria deeper into the skin, resulting in scarring.

Wash your face after you use any hair product like conditioners, hair sprays and mousses. They contain chemicals that can clog pores.

Do not wash your face with hot water, no matter how cold it is outside. Always use cold or lukewarm water to wash your face.

Avoid over make-up and never sleep without removing your make-up.

Make a habit of disinfecting your makeup brushes weekly. They may be home for bacteria and oil which can lead to clogged pores.

Wash and change pillowcases after 4-5 days. As you sleep, bacteria and oil collect on your pillowcase and find way to your skin. Get some nice pillowcases, and wash them with a fragrance-free or home-made detergent.

If your skin is dry, apply a light moisturizer in the morning and leave it on throughout the day. Also, make sure you apply a heavier moisturizer during the night.

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Posted under Beauty, Natural Beauty.