It's a fact of life: Your skin ages just like the rest of
you. It's constantly exposed to the elements, from the punishing sun and heat
to the bitter cold and wind. It's impressive to know that it holds up as well
as it does. Through the years, the largest organ in the human body weathers
sunburns, acne, stretching, winter dryness and cracking, and many other
damaging effects without much too complaint.
Your skin performs several crucial roles. It keeps your body
temperature regulated; protects you from infection and injury; keeps moisture
inside; and filters and remove impurities. But those duties exact a price on
your skin, causing it to lose elasticity and become thin, dry and cracked.
Wrinkles, blemishes and spots are frequent signs of aging skin.
But if you want smooth skin for as long as possible, there
are things you can do now and throughout your life to make it happen. The key
to remember is that making good health choices about your skin can keep it
looking younger for a longer amount of time. That means not just being careful
about your exposure to the elements, but also being careful about what you do
to your body as a whole. By following 5 simple tips, you can have healthier,
smoother skin.
5: Protect Yourself from the Sun
The sun causes the most damage to our skin, so protecting it
when you're outside is a top priority. Skin cancer, age spots, wrinkles,
freckles, and skin that's rough or dry are all symptoms of too much sun.
Staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the
sun's rays are strongest, can help protect your skin from ultraviolet rays that
do the most harm to your skin. If you do go out during that time, wear clothing
that covers as much skin as possible, including wide-brimmed hats and full-length
shirts and pants. When you do expose your skin to the sun, wearing a good
sunscreen can protect you. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of
15 or higher. If you're at the beach or exercising outside, make sure that it's
water-resistant and sweat-proof, and that it'll protect you from a broad
spectrum of radiation (both UVA and UVB rays). Reapply the sunscreen as needed.
4: Keep Your Skin Clean
If you want smooth skin, you'll need to have clean skin,
too. Washing your face twice a day with warm water, a clean wash cloth and soap
or a cleanser removes dirt and oils and keeps your skin healthy. Be gentle when
cleaning your skin if you want it to stay smooth, though. Avoid strong,
scouring soaps, and limit the time you spend in the bath or shower. Shave
carefully using a lubricating gel or foam, and pat dry with a towel after
cleaning instead of wiping -- this will keep some moisture on your skin.
3: Moisturize
Your skin is made of three different layers: the epidermis,
or the outermost layer of your skin; the dermis, the middle layer that contains
blood vessels, nerve endings, and oil and sweat glands; and the hypodermis,
which is mostly made of fat and contains your hair follicles. Moisturizers help
that top layer retain moisture -- and this keeps skin smooth, too. The best
time to apply a moisturizer is right after you step out of the shower or bath.
With your skin still damp, apply the moisturizer so your skin will keep that
moisture in. You can also apply after you wash your hands and before going
outdoors for extended periods in cold weather.
2: Maintain a Proper Diet
You are what you eat, and that goes for your skin, too. If
you want smooth skin, there are certain foods to consider and certain foods to
avoid. Foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin D
help keep skin smooth and healthy. Vitamins A and C are particularly helpful if
you want smoother skin. They can also prevent spots and other growths from
coming later in life.
A good diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish and
antioxidants and vitamins from tea, fruits and vegetables may help preserve
smooth skin and protect it from disease. But a good diet for smooth skin would
be incomplete without the most essential ingredient -- water. The human body is
made up mostly of water, and keeping it properly hydrated is essential to
preserving good skin.
1: Healthy Living
Keeping your weight in check can give you smooth and healthy
skin. Exercise, combined with a good diet, will do wonders for one of your most
important organs. Exercise increases your circulation, delivering more
nutrients to the skin and the rest of your body while carrying away toxins. It
also helps the body produce collagen, which minimizes wrinkles
If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, chances are you're
harming your skin. Smokers have more wrinkles around their eyes and mouths, and
tobacco can cause the skin to turn a yellow or brown color.
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