11 Simple Steps to Healthy and Beautiful Skin! 

As someone who formerly had acne, I can testify that following these steps can and will improve the complexion of your face, back, neck, etc. The most important step that has helped me along the way, is to LET GO and EXPRESS myself. If there is anything that you may be holding onto, that is causing you to suffer, let it go and EXPRESS it in some way, some form. Listening to your own intuition is the most powerful and transformative step to help ensure the complexion of your skin.  I hope this inspires you and gives you the hope and confidence you need.

Good luck! – Sarah

The content below is written by Renay Matthews, a writer for Intent.com

Your skin, the biggest organ you have. Keeping it healthy and youthful is not so hard! Here are 11 simple tips to get and maintain beautiful, healthy skin:

1. Lemon water
When you wake up in the morning, drink a room temperature glass of water with organic lemon juice. This cleansing process is a great life practice, helps with great skin and great health.

2. Drink Water
Drink enough water very day, avoid sodas and sugary juices.

3. Wash your face
Don’t just wash your face before bed, suds up when you get home, even if it is early afternoon. Bacteria can irritate skin, clog pores, and trigger breakouts and long term damage can cause scarring.

4. Disinfect your reading and sun glasses
Great practice to implement every few days with rubbing alcohol. Think of all the surfaces glasses touch from desks, kitchen tables, bathroom counters to the counter at your local coffee shop, then they get placed back over the face. Keeping skin clean is important. 

5. Take nutrients
Remember to take your vitamins, minerals, fats and antioxidants even if you are eating a great diet. Fats are especially important to keep skin supple and firm. You can increase your good fats naturally by consuming more salmon, flaxseed, and almonds. Just understand that good fats are not saturated fat such as those found indairy products and meats, which increase free-radical damage that makes skin more susceptible to aging.

6. Eat great food
8-10 cups of vegetables per day, 2 cups of fruit per day and high quality lean proteins is a good start. Eat vegetables from all possible colors of the rainbow weekly to ensure a variety of nutrients in your diet.

7. Go organic
Use organic skin care products. There are loads of chemical free products to choose from that don’t break the bank.

8. Sun Protection
Protect your skin from the sun. Ideally, SPF 30 with moisturizing and of course make sure it is organic. Every 10 minutes of daily exposure to UVA ‘the aging rays”can cause changes that  lead to sun spots and wrinkles in a matter of three short months, so don’t skip this step! Studies are now showing using a lower SPF but applying frequently is the way to go for optimal sun protection.

9. Let it go
If something is bothering you, talk about it and work it out – don’t wear it on your skin. Stress and unbalanced emotions can age you fast. You can increase the stress hormone “cortisol” quickly with constant anxiety which can trigger acne and facial redness.

10. Regular exercise
Studies show those who work out on consistently have firmer skin than non exercisers, so get your exercise on, once approved by your doctor. Exercise infuses skin with oxygen and nutrients that you need for collagen production!

11. Get to sleep
Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is critical for long term skin health. If you are in the habit of staying up late in front of the television, break it and get to sleep at a decent time every night. Your skin and overall health will be improved.

Bonus Tips!

How about a little retinoid?

The vitamin-A in retinoid derivatives speed cell turnover and collagen growth to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and fade brown spots. With a version now available over the counter called retinol, we can all use this product easily. Retinol may take up to 3 months to see noticeable  results, so be patient.

Fall in love with your looks/yourself just the way you are

The truth is we will never be at or feel our best until we can fall in love with exactly the way we are right now. It is our inner beauty that shines through our skin. All the practices, products and magical potions in the world can’t improve our looks if the insides are not appreciated, cared for, loved and nourished. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if you see yourself as beautiful, so will everyone else.

Renay Matthews is a nutritionist practicing in Agoura Hills California and can be reached at http://www.elitewellnesspath.com & http://www.greatgrubforkids.com

Originally published July 2010