How to Give Skin a Refreshing Spring Makeover

Spring is the time of year when everything starts out new and fresh. It's the perfect time to revitalize your skin, too. Proper skin care can make a world of difference in how young your skin can look. After dry indoor air, skin pores are ready to drink in the warmth of spring. Here are some tips on how to give your skin a refreshing spring makeover.

You can heal skin damage by taking care of both the inside and the outside of your body. Most skin aging and problems are caused in six general areas.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sun exposure
   The first step in having good skin is keeping the best of what you've got! Dermatologists consider that most minor discolorations and aging damage on the skin can be attributed to too much sun. Using sunscreen with at least 30 SPF whenever you go outdoors is the best protection. Wear hats and cover skin that will be exposed to direct sunshine.

2. Bacteria and environmental toxins
   Washing your skin with non-toxic cleansers will help remove so many germs and environmental toxins. And try to keep your hands away from your facial skin to avoid spreading bacteria and additional oils. Some highly recommended non-toxic brands for skin care are Aveda, Bert's Bees, and The Body Shop. Look around for some healthy, fun skin products that will pamper your skin. Making skin care into a luxury will turn a job of maintenance into a refreshing spring makeover.

3. Sensitivities and diet
   Sugar is considered to be one of the major causes of skin sensitivities that result in blemishes and other skin damage. Cutting down on sugar - particularly the sugar in processed foods - should help skin recover and renew itself. Eating a healthy diet rich in non-processed foods will nourish and refresh your skin. In the spring, it should be easy to increase you diet of tasty fresh fruits and vegetables. Also pay attention to any relationship you might find between the foods you eat and any skin problems you discover. Allergies are often expressed through the skin. Why not use spring as a time to re-birth your eating habits so you and your skin can look and feel spring fresh all year round?

4. Antioxidants
   Antioxidants are found in fresh vegetables and fruits. Vitamins C, E, coenzyme Q 10, carotenoids, flavonoides, alpha-liponic acid, and dimethylaminoethanol are all found in fresh fish, green tea, soy, fresh fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants fight off many of the toxins that break down healthy tissues and help makeover the quality of your skin.

5. Physical activity
   Exercise has been proved to be so important for good health and glowing skin, yet sedentary lifestyles are still the norm. We've all heard how important exercise is, yet doing something about it is happening far less than talking about it! A simple regimen of physical activity followed regularly can not only help skin look fresher and younger, but can help circulation, natural resistance to infection and disease and overall good health. With fine spring weather you can make workouts into enjoyable walks, jogs, excuses for doing gardening or starting a new sport. Working out can actually be fun as well as good for your body and soul!

6. Hormones
   It helps to keep your hormones as well balanced as possible. Dealing with emotional issues can help. If you are stressed or your hormones are out of balance, skin troubles are likely to erupt. Think of all the skin problems faced by teenagers as they go through hormonal changes.

7. Aging skin is inevitable over time, but you can keep your skin springtime fresh for longer with some basic lifestyle changes. The spring offers an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" with your skin care. For more information on how to give skin a refreshing spring makeover, please check the Resources below.

Resources

• Holistic skin care today
• eHow Spring Guide

[sonni57]

on 4/15/2009 Good tips on how to give skin a Spring makeover.