Summer is here, and with it comes an increased exposure to the sun for most of us. Despite the bad reputation being out in the sun has developed in recent years, when done properly it can be wonderful for your health. If you stay out of the sun during peak hours (generally 10am-4pm), and if you use safe and effective sunscreen, sunshine is the best source of vitamin D available. Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient that has many health benefits, including improving and protecting your skin and supporting your immune system so that your own body can keep itself well.

As we get out in the sun more often, many people are concerned about the drying and aging effects of sunshine on the skin. This is certainly a legitimate concern, so let’s discuss some ways to not only protect ourselves from the sun, but from other factors that can cause our skin to age prematurely as well.

1. Sun Protection

As you get your daily exposure to the sun so that your body can produce plenty of vitamin D, remember to use a quality organic sunscreen that will block harmful radiation without eliminating the beneficial rays of the sun. As we will discuss shortly, don’t settle for commercial sunscreens that are full of chemicals. Along with the use of an all-natural skin lotion, sunscreen is the best way to prevent unnecessary damage to the skin.

2. Skin Care & Cleansing Routine

A daily skin cleansing regimen is necessary for your face and body skin if you want to keep it healthy and young-looking. Avoid chemical cleansers, moisturizers, or other products, and never expose your body or face to hot water (only cool or warm). A cool bath will help to cleanse your skin and remove dead cells and toxins. Massage your facial skin gently with a quality organic cleanser, as this will improve your skin’s natural ability to remove toxins and absorb nutrients. Follow cleansing with an anti-aging facial toner.  Moisturize your skin one to two times daily with a natural anti-aging cream such as Purely Ageless.

Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid is a special mucopolysaccharide occurring naturally throughout the human body. One of the most heavily researched substances in medicine today with thousands of clinical trials mostly in the fields of orthopedics and eye surgery. Its function in the body is, amongst other things, to bind water and to lubricate movable parts of the body, such as joints and muscles. Its consistency and tissue-friendliness allows it to be used in skin-care products as an excellent moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most hydrophilic (water loving) molecules in nature and can be described as “nature’s moisturizer”. High molecular weight Hyaluronic acid has been shown to be absorbed topically and keeps skin hydrated and can prevent wrinkle formation. HA is the subject of a great deal of research because of its amazing properties to rejuvenate the skin.

Whether it be lotions, sunscreens, or cosmetics, be very careful about what you allow to come into contact with your skin. Using expensive products that are laden with chemicals on your skin can introduce these toxins into your bloodstream, and thus to every part of the body. On the other hand, if you choose quality products with non-toxic and organic ingredients, these will boost the health and condition of your skin. Always cleanse your facial skin before bed, and never sleep with makeup on your skin.  In order to keep skin bacteria down, I suggest changing your pillowcase every night or at least every other night.

3. Liver Detoxification

Believe it or not but your liver plays an important part in how your skin looks. Many skin conditions can be traced back to a sluggish and unhealthy liver. I suggest performing several back-to-back liver cleanses using the Optimum Wellness Liver & Gallbladder Cleanse.  The liver is the main filter of your body. It can become clogged up after years of toxins (alcohol, drugs, food preservatives, heavy metals, chemical pollutants, etc.) flow through it. Liver stones can form causing further problems. The liver and the gallbladder work closely together. The liver produces a substance called bile that is used by the body to aid digestion. Excess bile is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion. The gallbladder can also develop stones that decrease its efficiency and impede the flow of bile. An unhealthy, clogged up liver and gallbladder can lead to all kinds of unwanted complications because toxins will back up and overflow into other organs within the body. Problem and premature skin aging can be reversed by keeping the liver cleansed and healthy.

4. Stay Hydrated

One of the best ways to keep younger looking skin is to drink plenty of pure, filtered water. Staying hydrated does many beneficial things for your body, and one of them is to help your skin cells function at their best while absorbing nutrients and eliminating wastes. Think of it as oil in your car. You wouldn’t run your engine without oil, so don’t let your body run low on cell “lubrication” either by cutting it short on water. Your skin and body will thank you and be free to do its job well. Also, never bathe or wash in unfiltered water that has chemicals such as chlorine in it. Among other hazards, such substances will dry out your skin.

5. Healthy Diet

What you eat (or avoid eating) can have a tremendous effect on your skin. To keep it healthy and young, go heavy on raw fruits and vegetables, which are high in water, oxygen, vitamins and minerals.  The use of healthy oils that contain a good balance of Omega 3,6,9 will help to provide your skin with nourishing oils. Omega 3 is particularly useful for keeping your cell membranes operating efficiently which brings significant benefits to your skin. Also stay away from foods high in animal fat, sugar, hydrogenated oils, white flour and refined salt as your skin has to work all the harder to expel these toxins from the body.

6. Sleep Well

Plenty of quality sleep is a must for overall wellness, including the health of your skin. Getting an average of 8-10 hours nightly is an old and faithful beauty tip that encourages vibrant, younger skin. When you are sleeping, the body goes into healing mode by eliminating wastes and repairing body tissues and organs, including the skin. Also, try sleeping on your back as this minimizes the effect of gravity on your skin and discourages sagging.

7. Exercise

Regular exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and it helps to keep you looking younger too. Physical activity increases circulation, which in turn boosts your skin’s ability to cleanse the body and absorb nutrients. There is good reason why it is said that the condition of the skin reflects the health (or lack thereof) of the entire body. Working up a good sweat is great for your skin, and you will look and feel better as well.  Using a rebounder is great for keeping the lymph system moving which removes toxins from the body.

Tags: anti-aging secrets, Hyaluronic acid, HydraTone, Liver Stones, natural skincare, natural sun protection, Optimum Wellness Liver & Gallbladder Cleanse, Purely Ageless Anti-Aging Creme, Soleo Organic Sunscreen, vitamin d-3

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 9:54 PM and is filed under Natural Health and Well Being, Organic Skincare. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.