http://www.care2.com/greenliving/love-the-skin-youre-in.html
Love the Skin You’re In
Most people know that beauty is more than skin-deep but our social emphasis on physical appearance can make even the most flawless-skinned beauty self-conscious. Supermodels sporting perfect, made-up, and airbrushed skin and not much else adorn the pages of magazines and television ads reminding onlookers to strive for the impossible.
Not surprisingly, anyone suffering from skin problems may find it difficult to look beyond their skin’s surface to the beauty within. With some help from foods, water, herbs, and of course, a healthy dose of self-appreciation, it is possible to not only love the skin you are in, but improve its health and appearance as well.
Skin 101
Skin is the body’s largest organ. It shields our bodies from the elements around us (sometimes taking a beating in the process), assists with detoxification, and protects our tissues and organs from damage. It is also a mirror into the condition of our bodies at a deeper level. Skin reflects our inner health. It may show toxic overload, stress, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies.
Living in a Toxic World
There are literally thousands of toxins and harmful synthetic chemicals found in our food, air, water, homes, and workplaces. They take the shape of pesticides; herbicides; cigarette smoke; synthetic chemicals found in beauty and hygiene products; food additives, colours, and fillers; medications; or stress hormones. Our bodies must attempt to filter this toxic onslaught to prevent toxic overload, which can occur when our bodies take in more toxins than they can eliminate. Numerous organs play a role in cleansing the body, namely the kidneys, liver, intestines, and of course, the skin. Problems with the skin can suggest that the other elimination organs are overloaded.
Water, Water Everywhere
One of the most critical components of healthy skin is water. The body is made up of approximately seventy percent water and needs its stores replenished. Every cell in the body is dependent on water for good health, including skin cells. Water helps to keep the skin properly hydrated. While the standard recommendation for water is eight cups per day, the number may vary from person to person. And if you drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, add two additional cups of water for every cup of coffee, tea, or alcohol you drink.
Lessen Toxic Exposure
Switch to natural body- and skincare products that are free of fragrances, colours, or other synthetic chemicals that have a tendency to irritate skin. Lessen your intake of the following foods:
- Processed, packaged, or fast foods
- Hydrogenated fats (margarine, shortening, lard or products made with them such as cookies, pies, packaged foods, buns, pizza, etc.)
- Fried foods (French fries, onion rings, potato chips, nachos, hamburgers, etc.) or foods containing oils that have been excessively heated. Most grocery store oils have been heated excessively even before they reach the shelves. Extra-virgin olive oil is an excellent choice for cooking; cold-pressed oils found in most health food stores are also a healthy choice
- Sugar and foods that contain sugar
- Synthetic sweeteners (Nutrasweet, saccharin, aspartame, etc.)
- Salt (use Celtic sea salt instead)
- Food additives: colours, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, preservatives, etc.
- Non-organic meat and poultry contains hormones, sugar, and antibiotics, all of which increase your body’s toxic load. In addition, many people are sensitive to the hormones and other chemicals in meat. Skin problems can be an indication of a sensitivity or allergy. If possible, switch to organic meat and poultry
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16 comments
add your comment »Amen to this article
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I used to have really bad skin,
I've never worn make-up, nor do I plan to,
to me, it's a waste of money, energy (for transport, and packaging), and lives (if it uses animal testing),
not to mention ruins skin,
but I still had horrible skin,
I wound up going to a dermatologist to fix it, so it's pretty much better, and I do feel more confident in myself,
And I think the less make-up somebody wears, the more beatiful. All those air-brushed models always repulse me, they looks so sugary and plastic like...I don't see why you would want to look like that, if somebody won't love you for you, than why would you love him/her at all?
No skin is truly perfect, but every one's skin is unique
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Thanks Michelle for a great article that covers quite a lot of territory with great advice without going into too much detail. I personally like the detail, but many don't. As others have, we started making our own products simply because we couldn't find anything that didn't make my sensitive, rosacea skin break out. Research and testing has proven to us that your words of wisdom are true. We also have ventured into juicing and our research in that area has shown many, many reasons to join this healthy practice with anti-aging of the skin as only one. You are also giving the essential organs in your body an anti-aging treatment! We only use certified organic oils in our products and certified organic botanicals and our customers can tell you this has made a big difference in the health of their skin. Our updated website is at http://www.wingsets.com - we are still updating and will be adding much more information about ingredient properties, aromatherapy, holistic nutrition and wellness. Our blog should start soon also. Thanks again for your article! Annrn@wingsets.com
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My wife and I began a healthier lifestyle to combat the affects of aging. Eating healthier(organic), more exercise and more awareness of what we put on/in our bodies. The chemicals/ingredients in lotions and oils are absorbed directly into your body. We couldn't live like this so we started our own line of all natural skin care products. Our first is E Essential 24 Best Skin Oil. It is a blend of natural & "essential" oils that help repair and nourish dry damaged skin. www.bestskinoil.com
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Hi,
I think you are really cautious about your skin. But it is not bad at all. I found your advice great and will try to follow the tips you have mentioned here. The article is usefull for me. I’ll be coming back to your blog.
eiweißpulver
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That's good advice Michelle.
And you're absolutely right Caralein. One should avoid harsh treatments and excessive exposure to sunlight.
Many women today probably do not know that juicing makes them look younger than their age.
How can you tell if a woman drinks juice regularly?
Well, just look at her face, see the radiance? Notice the natural glow on her cheeks?
Why don't you try drinking fresh vegetable or fruit juice...it delays the aging process.
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Cindy M. Thanks for your kind words about my article. I provide all of my articles to Care2.com for free so it's nice to hear that people like you are seeing the value of this my effort to help people.
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Cindy M, good grief Girl, chill out. I wasn't dissing this article. I was just sharing my experience and trying to get it across to people that you can find evidence to support any set of beliefs, and the fewer you choose to 'hang your hat on', the less baggage you'll carry around with you. And yes, that includes scientific evidence.We have no way of knowing if what they tell people is true. Often times we don't even know if what we're seeing with our own eyes is perceived accurately. But we do know that what we believe, whether totally accurate or not, has an effect on our bodies and how we live our lives. In other words, beware of self-fullfilling prophecies.You're a vegatarian. If you eat meat, it will probably make you feel bad. I am not a vegatarian,so what? My life belongs to me and I am not ablidged to listen to someone preach to me about it. Have you been accused of doing that? Is my useing the word 'preachy' what made you think I was critical of this artical? Different viewpoints are part of lifes banquet, not an invitation to argue.
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Mary B.,
I don't see what's wrong with this article. Good for you that eating meat hasn't turned you into an old prune at 60, but looking at the statistics, and where the money goes, most people are happy to get this info, and shouldn't be eating so much meat, for many reasons. If not, they can just disregard it.
I see none of it as being preachy. It's just intended as a FREE way to help people that might be interested in it.
Besides, I see nothing here that says to not eat meat. It just advises to avoid meats that aren't organic. Also, 60 isn't that old. But it is old enough to have grown up on food that wasn't genetically modified, had more healthful nutrients, and fewer added junk altogether. So it's also hard to compare the foods available today, which many are causing great harm to our youth, to what you've gotten to where you are today by.
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I think the less stuff you do to your skin the better. Keep it simple. I haved used olive oil or coconut oil on my skin for years, I eat full fat foods, lots of produce, meat and poultry, have a naturally active lifestyle and at 60 my skin is smooth and healthy, my hair still mostly dark.I believe that the more you can avoid the preachy types who want to tell others how to live, eat, excersize and be good, the better off you are. I believe this because I trust that my own body knows full well how to keep it'self healthy and the less I buy into other peoples ideas,the less my attention[life force] gets diverted into haveing to do things a certain way to be healthy. I love being curious and hearing what others do and sometimes use their sugestions,but I'm careful not to turn into a 'true believer'. I've already been there and done that and I think it may just be a stage we go thru on our way to greater maturity. And of course, we all need to make a living selling something. Life is a pot luck buffet, enjoy it but don't get addicted to anything. Except maybe the idea that good skin is natural.
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