By: Jess Walter

Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and arguably one of the most important. Healthy skin is essential for absorbing vitamins and minerals while blocking out unhealthy environmental factors such as pollution and UV rays. Substance abuse can take its toll on your skin, but if you take the time to nourish and take care of yourself, your skin will start looking and feeling better.

Your Diet
The mentality that “you are what you eat” is not just a mantra to get kids consuming healthy foods. Even a small change in your diet can result in glowing, vibrant skin. One of the biggest factors in dry and unhealthy skin is a diet that lacks vitamins, minerals and perhaps most importantly, moisture.

You can maintain your skin’s elasticity and look younger for longer if you follow a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables. Certain antioxidants can only be found in berries, beans, salads, and other greens. Vitamin A is essential to your skin’s health, and its carotenoid precursors can be found in most orange vegetables, such as carrots or squash.

Your Morning Routine

Aside from a healthy breakfast, there are several things that you can do each morning to keep your skin looking healthy. Washing your face on a regular basis helps to remove the oily buildup that can cause inflammation and spotting.

You should clean your face each morning with lukewarm water, as water that’s too hot or too cold can result in dry and itchy skin. A good moisturizer can also help to protect your face from drying out. It’s a good idea to use daily moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

Your Nighttime Routine

New skin cells often grow faster when you sleep, so a nighttime routine is essential to epidermal health. During the day, your skin suffers from pollution, sun, and stress, so it’s important to maintain a nightly ritual to repair the day’s damage.

You should clean your face before bed each night to rid the sensitive skin of makeup and oils, and apply moisturizer to prevent excessive dryness. Topical retinoids can help to unclog pores while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Your Exercise Schedule

While most of us know that exercise is essential for cardiac and pulmonary health, not everyone knows that a regular exercise schedule can improve skin tone too. Exercise promotes circulation, allowing your blood to bring oxygen and nutrients to the surface of your skin in a more efficient manner.

photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/t7_CN7g5aRA