How to Get Healthy, Beautiful Skin

Skincare Tips: Water, Exfoliation, Sunscreen

Everyone wants healthy, moist and beautiful skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and can tell you a lot about what is going on inside your body.

Healthy skin means you have a healthy body. But the skin also needs nurturing everyday to remain healthy.

Drink Lots of Water

To make sure skin retains its moisture, it is vital that you drink enough water. Experts say 64 ounces of water a day - that's eight glasses or two 32-ounce bottles of water.

Cleanse and Exfoliate Regularly

Cleansing your skin is also very important. Be gentle. Dry brushing and exfoliation remove dull dead surface skin, but be sure to remove the top layer only! Exfoliate the entire body with a natural loofah.

After bathing you must seal in the skin's moisture. One of the best ways to do this is to massage your body with almond oil scented with lavender or rose essential oil immediately following a bath or shower.

Dealing with Dry Skin

Dry skin is a problem for many people. Bring moisture to dry skin using essential oils of palmarosa, rosewood or sandalwood. Soothe dry skin irritations with chamomile, lavender, jasmine, elder flowers, red clover and herbs such as irish moss, calendula, comprey, marshmallow root and violets. Carrot seed oil soothes raw skin. Use vinegar-based toners over alcohol-based ones.

Dealing with Oily Skin

Oily complexions respond best to basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, sage, lemongrass, yarrow and ylang-ylang.

Protect Your Skin with Natural Sunscreen

Everyone wants the glow of summer on their skin, but you must be careful. The sun breaks down the elastin and collagen in skin. Always use a sun block SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.

If you have sensitive skin or if you're going to be out all day, use at a sun block SPF of 30 - 45.

Or, make your own natural sunscreen. Keep in mind this recipe will not provide total sun protection.

• 4 ounces sesame oil
• 4 ounces aloe vera
• 2 teaspoons V-E
• 1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil

If you want our skin to remain young and healthy you must take special care of it. The best advice for healthy skin and a healthy body is to eat healthy, drink lots of water, get enough rest and exercise. Get a check-up from your doctor once a year, and get started on the right track to healthy skin.