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| Beauty |
| 3 Super Steps to Super Skin -
Supporting Our Skins Natural Cycle By Rising Women Magazine Did you know that normal skin takes two to three weeks to renew itself? Aging skin may take up to four to six weeks. Either way, isn’t it refreshing to know that your skin is capable of staying healthy regardless of costly products and facials! One key to keeping your skin beautiful is to support the natural cycle with a routine that helps to keep it clean, hydrated and protected. Following are three simple tips that will help your skin to redeem its healthy glowing complexion: Step 1) Stay Clear of the Sun - Nothing compares to the damage the sun can do to your skin! And no treatment, moisturizer, supplement or surgery can reverse this damage! Make it the golden rule to only use moisturizers and makeup base that have a sun blocking ingredient. A lesson in sun damage: The sun activates free radicals, or molecules, that attack the lining of all the cells within your skin. Free radicals are commonly known as a major cause of aging. Smoking, alcohol and stress also activate free radicals, but the sun is said to be the greatest instigator of these damaging molecules. Free radicals alter the skin structure effecting the way it looks. For example, the sun causes the top layer of ‘dead’ skin to thicken in response to protecting the skin. However, the sun can still easily penetrate this ‘protective layer’. In fact, the sun can penetrate through to the living epidermis, thinning it from it natural 20 cell layers to as little as two! This can result in a ‘thin-skinned’ or uneven textured look. Wrinkles and sagging are other symptoms resulting from the sun breaking down the lower layer of skin known as the ‘elastin’ - the stretchy net that holds your skin in place. The sun ultimately destroys ‘collagen’, which is the protein, or basic substance, that the skin is made of. The sun is also known to attack the network of capillaries that feed the skin nutrients and oxygen. When the capillaries become sparse and distorted, the blood supply to your skin is cut off and cannot be healed! Step 2) Exfoliate, Exfoliate and Exfoliate! - Dead skin prevents oxygen, moisture and nutrients from reaching your living skin causing your complexion to look dull and lifeless, and often including blemishes, rough spots and uneven textures. Exfoliation gets rid of dead skin helping it to heal itself and reveal a healthy glow. A lesson in exfoliating - Depending on your skin type, there are several methods to removing dead skin cells: •Brushes, such as loofah sponges or natural bristle brushes, have been used for centuries. They offer a thorough exfoliation and allow you the versatility of using whatever cleansing product you prefer. •Scrubs are another common exfoliant and often contain oatmeal or bits of almond. With both scrubs and brushes be sure to be gentle as abrasive scrubbing can damage the skin. •Chemical and Glycolic Peels and Laser Treatments are ideal for an instant complexion overhaul. These treatments literally “burn” off the top dead cell layer of the skin revealing new baby skin. These procedures require a recovery time and daily exfoliation is still required. It is recommended that you consult your dermatologist about the best procedure for you. •Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) loosen the dead skin cells from the surface, leaving a softer layer of skin. They are especially ideal for severely dry skin as they also help to retain moisture. Available as a stand alone product or mixed in creams, cleansers and lotions, AHAs are food acids derived from vegetables, fruits, sugars, wine or milk, and from some animal products. Step 3) Nourish your skin from the inside out! - Your skin is a very accommodating organ built to adapt to any environment. Unfortunately it is our environment that is the perfect recipe for dull, lifeless skin. To speed up cell regeneration and fight the damaging effects of the environment, you have got to feed your skin with the right products (preferably natural) from the outside in and also from the inside out! Following are some super foods for super skin: •Avocados - Vitamin E is a major neutralizer of free radicals and avocados contain more vitamin E than any other fruit. The avocado is also a prime source of the antioxidant glutathione, responsible for deterring the development of skin cancer, as well as staving off premature aging. •Green Tea - Green Tea is loaded with plant chemicals known as polyphenols that inhibit inflammation associated with exposure to ultraviolet light. Polyphenols also are said to prevent the growth of cancerous cells. • Sweet Potatoes - Packed with vitamins C and E, sweet potatoes are one of nature’s greatest sources of beta-carotene. Once digested, beta-carotene converts to vitamin A which is critical to maintaining skin integrity and warding off wrinkle-causing oxidative stress. •Hempseed/oil - Packed with omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, hemp has the type of “good” fat most of us don’t get enough of. Omega-3s, especially, contain the essential fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which helps keep skin smooth and pliable. RWM Reference: - European Journal of Dermatology, Santosh Katiyar, Ph.D., the University of Alabama / Birmingham’s Center for Aging - www.mumsoriginal.com - Hemp Management Group |