How to Have a Beautiful Complexion

You may believe that some people are just born with perfect skin, but the truth is, many people put work into it. The following are the secrets that will teach you how to have a beautiful complexion.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SPF 15 Facial Moisturizer
• A Mild Facial Exfoliant
• A Gentle Facial Cleanser
• Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

1. Watch out for that sun! We all know the risks of skin cancer, but did you know that sun also ages our skin, causing wrinkles and age spots? Use a good quality facial moisturizer every day, even in the winter, that contains a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least fifteen.

2. Easy on the soap! Soap contains fragrances and harsh cleansers that can wreak havoc on your skin. Instead of daily washing, try splashing your face at night with warm water to open and cleanse your pores, followed by a splash of cold water to close and tighten your pores. If you must use something, purchase a gentle soap-free facial cleanser, and use it sparingly.

3. Exfoliate! Twice a week, use a gentle exfoliating scrub on your face. Wash in a circular motion, using the tips of your fingers, taking extra care to be gentle around the eye area. This will clear your face of dead skin, and encourage the growth of new skin, resulting in a diminished appearance of wrinkles. It will also discourage acne.

4. Quit smoking! Cigarettes do more than harm your lungs, they are also terrible for your skin. Smoking cigarettes can cause skin to yellow and form premature wrinkles.

5. Drink lots of water! Hydrated skin looks fresh and healthy, and water also detoxifies our bodies, keeping it free of impurities. Skip the sugary beverages that can lead to break outs, and instead, opt for plain water, or a sparkling water with a twist of lemon.

6. Work up a sweat! Exercise is an important aspect of freeing our bodies of toxins. Just be sure to splash your face with cool water after a work out!

7. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Remember, you are what you eat! A diet rich in fruits and vegetables will only aid you on your journey towards a beautiful complexion.

8. Avoid wearing heavy makeup. It only works to clog your pores, and requires more of those harsh soaps when you try to remove it. Instead of using a heavy liquid foundation, use a lighter powder, which will come off with warm water at night. To remove eye makeup, use a non-oily eye makeup remover pad.

Tips & Warnings

• Give any new skin regimen a few weeks before judging the outcome, you will be happy you did.
• Remember, there is no bottled product in the world that can match the healing properties of nature, and your own skin. Give your skin a chance to clear any blemishes or problems you may have, before reaching for products that contain harsh soaps or acids.

[Suexi]

on 5/31/2008 Hey KittyJ ~ nice article. I'm told I have great skin, but I'm constantly on the lookout for more ways to take care of it. The most surprising improvement came when I started drinking 8 glasses of water every day. Clearer skin, even on this great-skinned face! Now I'm off to read your article on getting more beta-carotene....