Optimum Wellness

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― With a change in weather it may time to once again think about our skin and what we're doing to keep it looking and feeling good. Whether we are dealing with breakouts, sun damage, dry skin, oily skin, or irritation, the truth is that skin is the largest organ of the body and we need to take care of it. Though we can't see and usually don't feel it happening, we lose approximately 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute of the day. We'll grow close to 1000 new skin layers throughout our lifetime, which is heartening if you've ever regretted too much time in the sun. To keep our skin looking and feeling wonderful and touch-worthy, here are our top 10 tips:

1. Love Your Lycopene

A study from Britain showed that subjects who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste every day had 33% more protection against sunburns compared to a control group. The benefits of the tomato paste were attributed to the lycopene content. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that has also been theorized to improve skin texture due to the idea that lycopene may improve cell metabolism and increase the production of collagen. In another study using lycopene in a topical application, lycopene reduced skin wrinkling, redness, and inflammation.

2. Go Low (Glycemic)

When you put someone with acne on a low glycemic (low sugar & simple carbohydrates), and no trans fat diet, their skin usually gets much better. The more we can focus on healthy fats from olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acids and stay away from saturated, hydrogenated, and partially hydrogenated fats, the better or skin does.

3. Go Easy On Dairy

Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology links teen acne to dairy products (and sugary foods). In this review of 27 studies, researchers concluded that teens who drank more milk had worse skin. It is quite possible that some of the pesticide residues and hormones that may reside in non-organic fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products, can be adding to breakouts. Specifically, it appears that it is hormones or proteins found in milk that may increase skin oil production, which can lead to pimples. Discuss this option with your family doctor and if you do avoid dairy, you may need to consider supplementing calcium and vitamin D.

4. Cut Down On Alcohol

Most of us are familiar with the "big red nose" effect that alcohol can have – think WC Fields). Though rhinophyma (the condition that WC Fields had with the bulbous red nose) occurs mostly in men, avoiding food and drink, like alcohol and spicy foods, that can cause flushing is recommended in conditions like rosacea to help decrease the swelling of blood vessels that is inherent to that condition.

5. Visit Your Dermatologist

Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is also the third most common cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 40. Short of saying this cancer is often missed by primary care docs, we would strongly recommend an annual visit to a dermatologist for a whole body screening on an annual basis – especially after age 25. Needless to say, do your own full-body check at least once a week. Stand naked in front of a full-length mirror and scan yourself for any skin changes, growths, rashes, or irritations that may not have been there before.

6. Dry Brush Daily

Dry brushing exfoliates skin and stimulated skin renewal. It removes dead skin layers, stimulates circulation and can help tighten the skin to help prevent premature aging. Dry brushing is an inexpensive and exhilarating way to improve the look and feel of the skin. Use a soft, natural fiber brush with a long handle and a strap for your hand – this way you can reach your back and other harder to reach areas. Before you hop in the shower, fully undress and begin by using light pressure on your feet, brushing in circular motions. Continue to brush up your legs. Proceed to your hands and arms and then brush your entire back and abdomen area, followed by neck and shoulders. The direction of brushing should always go toward the heart. After brushing, take a very warm-hot shower with soap and finish with a blast of cold water (about 15 seconds). Follow up your shower with a nice moisturizer. Dry Brushing can be done everyday before you shower or bathe – no need to dry brush your face.

7. Stress Less

Stress can wreak havoc on the complexion. It may show up as tense skin, redness, worry lines and break-outs. Stress can cause acne to worsen. When stress is playing a large roll in your life, consider adding more relaxation into your life. Take naps, meditate, journal, and consider a little yoga. The stress hormone, cortisol, also can cause more inflammation in the body and may contribute to premature aging when out of balance.

8. Go Smoke-Free

Smoking is one best ways to accelerate aging of the skin. A recent study found that smokers have more wrinkles over areas of their body that are rarely even touched by UV rays. Don't even think about smoking.

9. Eat A Rainbow

Plenty of research shows that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables protect and repair the skin. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamin C and A and many other antioxidants and vitamins. Especially good to eat are broccoli, berries, kales, oranges, melon, and tomatoes.

10. Hydrate Inside And Out
 
Skin loves moisture inside and out. Hydrate internally with plenty of pure water and herbal tea throughout the day. Follow each shower with a natural moisturizer – consider a lotion containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin that both help lock in the moisture. Apply again before going to bed.

Now these top 10 tips should be rather easy to integrate into your healthy lifestyle. Some other honorable mentions include of course always wearing natural sunscreen (and don't forget about protecting the lips). We also are fans of the more natural skin-care products that contain ingredients we can actually pronounce. For more assurance that the products you are choosing are truly natural, check out the website www.naturalproductsassoc.org/certifiednatural.

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