Dry Skin No More! Great Skin Care Starts With Food

Every time someone compliments my skin I wince.

I used to have horrible acne in my teens and early twenties and even now with clear skin; my first reaction to a compliment is to doubt it.

But the truth is, it does look pretty good, a far cry from my days as an embarrassed child.

I remember becoming really obsessed with a cure, there was so much contradicting information out there like ‘don’t eat chocolate’ to “oily food give you acne”, or as my mother used to say, “your acne will go away when you get married”.

Secrets for a Fabulous Face

Remind me not to listen to my mother. I went to doctors and had numerous experiences with antibiotics, read everything on the subject and tried every new product I could get my hands on.

Finally a combo of ortho-tri cyclen (FDA approved birth control pill that helps acne, Retin-A and good eating habits, works its synergistic miracle on my skin.

If you do suffer from irregular periods, PMS, and you really have bad acne, talk to your doctor about birth control that can help you regulate your hormones.

Don’t overdo it with facial products or clean your face too often, it strips the surface of your skin of its natural oils and produces more oil to overcompensate. I wash my face with plain Dove soap at night and I just rinse in the morning.

Forget throwing your money away of skin products that have small amounts of active ingredients and go for the gold- with Retina-A. It takes a while for your skin to get used to it but find your comfort zone, every other day or every three days; use trial and error-it really works.

Don’t forget sun protection. Since the age of twelve, not one day goes by, rain or shine, that I don’t wear sunscreen on my face- it is imperative.

The other important change I made in my pursuit of clear skin was what I put in my body. I began to pass fruit stands and vegetable aisles thinking; these foods will nourish and heal my skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, foods rich in lean proteins, collagen, and whole grains are essential for your skin.

The antioxidant power of fruits, turmeric, and leafy greens fight free radicals from stress, pollution and sun. Eating low glycemic foods do not cause inflammation that usually associated with acne. Eating less sugar also slows the aging of your skin.

Your skin is a clear indication of what is happening inside your body.

Cleansing your system with detoxing food like fiber and probiotics, found in yogurt and kefir, keep your system clean of toxins. Water keeps you hydrating and boosts your body’s elimination of accumulated wastes from your cells.

Foods rich in vitamin C helps with sun damage repair, while foods that contain vitamin A help speed up the repair of skin. Biotin rich foods contain components necessary to rebuilding new hair, skin and nails.

Keep in mind that there are clear ways to age your skin faster and slow the healing of damaged skin. Smoking will deplete the skin’s ability to retain constant levels of vitamins in your system; smoking thins your skin and ages it dramatically.

No sun protection is another culprit, it is easy and a no brainer- slather on some sunscreen. Sugar and white carbs cause inflammation in your skin.

Everyone’s skin can be different but the basic concepts of skin care; prevention and nourishment are guaranteed better skin. Choose your foods wisely and make some important lifestyle changes. Your skin will be glowing in no time.

Dry skin on your face or legs is a pain. I know we live in a quick fix culture, but if you want something you have to work to get it.

Most people will just complain about things they want to change but are too lazy to do something about it. Some things are more easily remedied than others, and care for dry skin is one of those things that can be regulated.

I believe anyone can have better skin than they have now

With natural skin care and proper nutrition, we could all look better in six weeks.

A proper diet, rich in nutrients (check out our FREE Carb Manipulation Protocol here) and hydration will not only keep your skin looking fresh but it will be able to heal and recover faster from sun skin damage, and when problems flare up.

I have always had problems with dry or oily skin and can vouch for a nutrition-skin connection

Next time you go to the grocery store, shop for skin care products in the produce and fruit aisle. I am not joking! Many times, dry skin can be remedied with better quality foods, packed with nutrients.

Look for bright colors in your selection of fruits and your fat burning veggies. Limit processed foods and preservatives and your skin (and belly) will thank you.

Dry Skin Treatment

Shopping List to Feed and Nourish Dry Skin:

I highly recommend using Amazon Fresh for your shopping.

• Tomatoes- Loaded with lycopene and can protect you against sunburn. Please do not skip SPF! Chop them up for salads or they are great when used as a sauce.
• Nuts- High concentrations of Omega  – 3 fatty acids can hydrate the skin to lessen the appearance of wrinkles.
• Fish- In particular salmon, has been part of Dr. Perricone’s skin diet. Again, Omega  – 3 fatty acids from fish oil will keep your skin firm.
• Red meat, kefir and beans- they are all high in zinc, which helps build collagen. Keep the meat lean and drink kefir or yogurt as an elixir.
• Spinach- Leafy greens reduce the risk of skin cancer and the high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin keeps skin plump.
• Berries- Blueberries, strawberries etc are all high in Vitamin C which is acts like an antioxidant in the body to grab onto free radicals in your body. Diets high in Vitamin C are also associated with less skin dryness and wrinkling.
• Green Tea- One of the most powerful antioxidants around, it fights free radical damage and inflammation associated with aging, and sun skin damage. Drink up or take a supplement.
• Fiber- Keeping your pipes clean helps get rid of toxins that can accumulate in your body and show up as dry skin.

Remember, to get full benefits of these foods, limit alcohol and stop smoking. Wear SPF every day, rain or shine and use bronzer instead of the sun. You will have glowing skin in no time!

(You may also want to check out these myths about aging).