For millennia clean and healthy skin has been a measure of a person's physical beauty, and never has that been more true than in today's culture. Unfortunately, many of us are plagued with oily, acne prone skin and have to deal with its negative impact on our self-esteem and social status. There have been lots of theories on the reasons for this affliction, the best ones being makeup causing acne, stress, diet, hygiene, and of course, genetics. There are several things that we do know now that will help keep your skin healthy and clear, minus the wives' tales and urban legend.
One of the first things that we recommend for healthy skin is making sure that you are drinking plenty of water each and every day. Your skin composition is about 70% water, 20% proteins, and some assorted other compounds on top of that. By keeping your skin hydrated, you are naturally flushing its cells of toxins and foreign materials. This is nature's design for keeping your skin clean and free of such matter.
Although I mentioned diet earlier as something that is not believed to cause acne anymore, it is still true that you can choose foods that will be more nourishing for your skin. Vegetables and fruit are foods that are good for your skin due to the specific vitamins contained within. Vitamin A, common in carrots, spinach, and many other veggies, is known to be vital for clear, healthy, blemish free skin. Foods rich in antioxidants are also a great choice for keeping your skin clear and acne free. Choose fruits that are orange and yellow in color, as they are normally loaded with antioxidants. These foods also contain generous amounts of vitamin C, which is of course, great for the immune system. Spinach, blueberries, tomatoes, and salmon are also great choices for a skin healthy diet.
Another factor to consider, at least for women, is the types and amount of makeup that you wear every day. One great tip is to just not use too much makeup, as it is considered a foreign substance by the body, and your skin may react to it in a negative way, such as in a breakout or blemishes. The best makeup for acne prone skin is one that is as full of natural ingredients as possible. Although it is not uncommon for this type of makeup to be a little bit more expensive, the cost benefit is that your skin will be much healthier and less prone to acne breakouts. Another thing to remember about makeup is to never use products that you have had sitting around for a long time as it is much more likely to have bacteria on the surface or in the brush.
Last but not least, in your arsenal of weapons against acne and blemished skin, should be proper cleansing of the skin. First and foremost, you should never go to bed with any makeup on your face, even if most of it has worn off over the course of the day. Even the best makeup will contribute to acne if left on your skin overnight. Use a mild soap such as Noxema, Clean and Clear, or Oil of Olay, and warm water and lightly scrub your skin to remove the makeup that is left. It only takes 3 or 4 minutes before you go to bed, and the benefits will be enormous to the health of your skin.
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