There isn't anything hard about having great skin. It is very simple. However, maybe because achieving great skin is so simple, many people just let it fall by the wayside. If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to implement these 10 steps into your skin care regimen. Be consistent!
No.1
Water - Got dry skin? Got pimples? That could possibly be the cause of insufficient water intake. Drink up! Eliminate those unwanted, harmful toxins from your body. Do so by drinking 8 - 12 eight ounce glasses of water daily.
No.2
Diet - A daily diet of unprocessed raw whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy skin. This is the ace of all the tips!
No.3
Sleep - Yes, I know it isn't always easy to hit the sack to obtain the 8 hours. However, a restful sleep is very important for healthy skin.
No.4
Sun Power - Getting outdoors for 10-15 minutes a day for sun exposure, is essential to your skin. Go without the screen for these minutes. However, if your skin is going to be exposed to the sun longer than 15 minutes, protect it. Raw shea butter and cocoa butter, moisturizers with spf, and mineral makeup are great for protecting or reflecting UVA and UVB rays. Note: Common Sense can be great protection too. Sunscreen does not mean to stay in the sun all day. Sunlight also helps heal eczema, psoriasis, acne, and other skin problems.
No.5
Exercise - I am a stickler for this tip. Sweat is actually good for your skin! It moisturizes and promotes waste removal. Not only does daily cardiovascular exercise give you increased energy, it delivers a radiant complexion too! This is one time when you don't have to be worried about "them" seeing you sweat. ;O)
No.6
Cleanse - Cleansing the face twice a day is the rule. Especially at night- your face has been exposed to the dust, grime, and pollution of the outside world. The proper way to cleanse the face is to open the pores with steam before using cleanser. This can be done two ways: 1)Get washcloth soaked with hot water, wring water out, apply hot towel to face. 2)Put wet washcloth in Ziploc® bag, place bag in microwave for 30-45 seconds, apply towel to face. If you wear makeup on a daily basis, it is imperative that you cleanse your skin at night. Skin needs to breathe, especially while you're sleeping. Using cleansing cloths to remove makeup, steaming, and cleansing is beneficial to your face. For clog pores use a facial brush, natural fiber washcloth/sponge, or a gentle scrub regularly.
Another effective way to clean your face!
Oil Cleansing Method
Recommendations for natural soap.
Raw African Black Soap
Palm Oil Soap
No.7
Toner - This is the most skipped step in facial skin care, but one of the most important. Using a toner daily will assist your skin in returning to its pH balance, will remove soap residue, and will refine your pores (much needed for large pores). Using toner with the steam method will remove excess dirt and oil from pores.
Easy Natural Toners:
- Pure Witch Hazel is good to remove oil and dirt.
- Pure Witch Hazel with Tea Tree oil is better for removing oil and dirt, clearing up blemishes, and fighting bacteria.
- Pure Witch Hazel with Tea Tree oil and herbal infusion is best for removing oil and dirt, clearing up blemishes, fighting bacteria, soothing inflamed skin, and aiding problem skin.
Recommendation for herbal infused witch hazel toner. No.8
Exfoilate - This is the most skipped step in body care. Are you one that jumps into the shower, towel off, and apply lotion? Always wondering why your natural moisturizer doesn't seem to work like it should? It would work effectively if it wasn't being layered onto dead skin. Exfoliating is for everyone (yes, even men), and it can be started as early as early 20's. About two weeks ago, on
Twitter,
Facebook, and here, tips were offered on the subject of Exfoliation. I stress it, because it is very important for healthy skin. Also, exfoliating is my favorite step in body care. Benefits of Exfoliating:
- Removal of dead skin.
- Keep pores free of dirt and oil.
- Combats body odor due to the removal of dead skin build up.
- Aids mature skin in looking youthful.
- Draws out toxins and excess oil.
When exfoliating don't forget about your hands. Give your hands pampering once a week. Recommendations for
body exfoliants:
Alaea Sea Salt Polish Sweet Raw Sugaw Honey Polish Mojito Sugar Smoother- With Kelp and Dead Sea clay (perfect for drawing out toxins).
No.9
Dry Brushing - Sometimes No.8 can be time consuming, when short on time. For a quickie removal of dead skin use
exfoliating gloves or a bath brush. Before showering, rub your hands or brush briskly on the skin to loosen up dead skin. Enter the shower to wash the dead skin down the drain. Although this is a quickie, No.8 is more effective for a deep conditioning of the skin.
No.10
Moisturize - All skin types will benefit from moisturizer. Yes, even oily skin. It is always best to use moisturizers with plant/vegetable and fruit oils and/or raw nut butters. Avoid moisturizers with petroleum. Those types of moisturizers will work against achieving great skin, by clogging pores and trapping dirt and oil.
Here's to your skin health!
