6 Steps to Clear, Acne-Free
Skin
Hundreds of medications, treatments,
cleansers and cosmetics are
available for people with
acne, but the most important
elements of an acne-fighting
program won't cost you a cent.
1. Nourish your skin by eating
a healthy and balanced diet.
Most health care specialists
agree that a healthy diet
will benefit your skin. Cut
down on caffeine, sugar and
refined carbohydrates, all
of which can activate the
hormones that tell your sebaceous
glands to produce more oil.
Add more fruits, vegetables,
seeds, nuts, juices and other
healthy treats to your daily
diet, and you'll see in improvement
in your skin.
2. Drink lots of water to
maintain the skin's elasticity.
Plenty of water is essential
to the health of your skin.
One of the main activities
of the body's self-healing
system is to filter the blood,
a job performed mostly by
the kidneys, with help from
the skin in the form of perspiration.
This self-healing system removes
the toxic wastes of metabolizing
food and of other harmful
substances that get into our
bodies one way or another.
This purification system operates
efficiently only if the volume
of water flowing through it
is sufficient to carry away
the wastes. 6 to 8 glasses
(64 fluid ounces) of water
a day is the recommendation.
To reach your quota, carry
bottled water with you in
your car, your purse, your
briefcase-wherever you go.
Get the water habit, and your
skin will thank you for it.
3. Exercise regularly for
good circulation.
Get into a regular routine
of exercise. Do it for at
least half an hour, five days
a week. Exercise improves
your blood circulation, helping
your body clear toxins from
your system, including your
skin. Better circulation also
increases the delivery of
oxygen and nutrients to your
skin. Exercise also relieves
stress, which is a common
cause of acne flare-ups. Last
but not least, exercise releases
endorphins, the "feel good"
substance in your brain that
puts a smile on your face-the
best beauty secret of all.
4. Cleanse your face-then
tone, moisturize, and exfoliate.
At night
* First remove your makeup
with an oil-free makeup remover
and a cotton ball.
* Then wash your face with
lukewarm water and an oil-free,
non-comedogenic (doesn't block
pores) cleanser.
* Pat (don't rub) it dry with
a soft towel.
* And apply an oil-free moisturizer.
In the morning
* Wash your face as directed
above, then use an alcohol-free
toner.
* Next apply moisturizer.
* Then apply makeup-all oil-free
and non-comedogenic.
Once or twice a week use an
exfoliator with alpha hydroxy
acid or glycolic acid. This
will aid in the shedding of
dead skin cells, the "food"
for the bacteria that cause
pimples.
If you exercise during the
day, you'll need to wash your
face a third time, immediately
afterward.
5. Protect your skin from
the sun and harsh weather.
One popular myth about acne
is that tanning will clear
it. It may seem so at first,
but soon you will notice that
your tanned skin becomes less
pliable, making it less able
to shed oil and dead skin
cells, which clog your pores.
Your acne will become worse,
not better.
Always wear sun block with
at least an SPF-15 UVA & UVB
rating. If you'll be outside
in the sun for long, wear
a wide-brimmed hat.
6. Get plenty of good-quality
rest.
Your immune system requires
energy to do its work, including
the work of protecting your
skin from acne. The deep sleep
the brain needs for "recharging"
comes several hours into the
sleep cycle. That's why a
few hours here and there won't
do. Most people need at least
6 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
Consider it beauty sleep.
If you make these 6 items
part of your daily routine,
you'll look better, feel better,
and have less need of expensive
acne treatments and cosmetics.
About the Author
Visit Ron's website
Latest-Acne-Solutions
for the lastest research into
acne relief.
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This
article may be reprinted as
long as the resource box is
left intact and all links
are hyperlinked.
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