While we all want to love our skin, most of us don’t realize it’s one of our body’s largest organs! From head to toe, our skin is the first place our bodies begin showing signs of distress and neglect. Whether it’s a bad sunburn that leaves your skin dry and peeling, or the inevitable “crow’s feet” we all have to deal with and fear, our skin has a way of showing it all. If you’re a woman, you probably want to take care of your skin to prevent wrinkles and the unattractive dark circles and bags under your eyes by keeping its natural elasticity. Regardless of your skin type (dry, oily, etc.), there are several natural skin care tips you can make use of to avoid looking older than you actually are, and to keep your skin soft, smooth, and glowing with beauty. What many women don’t know is that proper skin care, if practiced daily, can actually reduce the signs of aging and keep that natural, youthful glow intact. Give these 10 natural skin care tips a try and get ready to nourish your skin from the inside out!

Natural Skin Care Tips for Healthy & Beautiful Skin

Tip #1: Cleanse, Cleanse, Cleanse!

A very important, yet often overlooked, skin care basic is to make sure you’re cleansing your face daily. Make-up, sweat, and the other daily environmental factors we’re exposed to can build up on our skin, clog our pores, and overall just make our skin appear dirty and unclean. This is never a good look, so the first natural skin care tip is to make sure you’re washing your face with a good cleanser every single day. I can’t emphasize this enough! Cleansing your face daily (usually in the evening before bed is a good idea) can make the world of a difference on the appearance of your skin. Not only does cleansing remove the dirt and grime that gets caked onto your skin and clogs your pores during the day, but it also refreshes and rejuvenates your skin, making it less likely to appear dirty and dull.

Tip #2: Scrub and Exfoliate

We’ve all heard the term “exfoliate” thrown around when we’re at the spa, but what exactly does exfoliating your skin mean? In a nutshell, it means to gently massage an exfoliating scrub onto the skin in order to remove any dead skin cells. Kind of like cleansing, exfoliating removes the skin of the built up dirt and grime by gently sloughing off dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones. You should be careful when scrubbing though, and try not to get carried away, because scrubbing too hard can leave your skin red and raw. Instead, exfoliate once or twice a week, and massage the scrub gently into the skin before washing it off with cool water. Your skin will glow with health and beauty!

Tip #3: Moisturize

Did you know that whether you’re indoors or outdoors, your skin is very susceptible to dryness? That’s why another important beauty basic is moisturizing! It is essential to hydrate your skin to make it smooth and soft to the touch. Dry skin can be very unattractive, and can add years to your appearance – something that no one wants! So invest in a good moisturizer(such as our ‘Picture Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Cream’) that will not only hydrate and brighten your skin, but also reduce the signs of aging on your face. Not sure what makes a “good” moisturizer? Try to find a moisturizer that has natural ingredients and is paraben-free. After all, you don’t want to clog your pores with more chemicals! And be sure to use separate moisturizers for the face and the body, since the skin on your face is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body. You should be moisturizing your face at least twice a day (in the morning and in the evening after cleansing your face is recommended).

Tip #4: Use Sunscreen

We all love a sexy summer tan, but did you know that the sun’s powerful UV rays can not only burn your skin (causing it to become red and peel), but actually damage your skin cells? Don’t underestimate the power of the sun. Even if you’re one of those lucky people who tan well, the sun’s harmful UV rays can still penetrate your skin and cause premature aging, such as those unsightly wrinkles. If you want to enjoy a natural glow but avoid the skin damage, apply a little bit of sunscreen every day. Yes, this means in the winter too. You don’t have to lather it on heavily in order for it to work. Even a light application of SPF 15 will do the trick. And don’t forget the sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around them.

Tip #5: H20

You’ve probably heard it before, but I’ll say it again. Water is so important for both your body and skin’s health! Nowadays we drink sodas, specialty coffees, and all kinds of different flavored juices that are both sugary and high in calories. Water is the purest liquid you can give your body, so be sure to drink between 8 and 12 glasses each and every day! This type of “hydrotherapy” will help rejuvenate your skin by hydrating it from the inside out, and will also rid your body of toxins. So what are you waiting for? Go grab a cold glass of water now and get hydrating!

Tip #6: Feed Your Face With a Healthy Diet

I know what you’re thinking: easier said than done, right? Especially when it’s that time of the month and hormones are raging, it can be difficult to eat healthy foods all the time. But eating a balanced diet doesn’t necessarily mean you always have to eat clean, healthy foods. Sweets and treats are okay on occasion, just make sure that the majority of your diet is comprised of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially dark green leafy vegetables), fish or other lean meats, and nuts (like almonds and walnuts). Cook with olive oil too. It’s good for your healthy and great for the skin too!

Tip #7: Get Adequate Sleep

In a world where it is now the norm for women to be “superwomen” and have a job, care for a family, and go to school, sleeping for 8 hours a night may seem impossible. However, sleep is an essential part of having healthy, beautiful looking skin. Think about it: don’t you notice a lack of sleep on other people’s faces? They usually have dry, dull looking skin that is accompanied with those lovely dark circles and bags under their eyes. Not attractive. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sound sleep every night if you want to avoid looking like a zombie.

Tip #8: Work It!

Physical exercise gets the blood pumping and keeps your mind and body fit. But did you know that exercise also has a positive effect on skin? Not only does working out improve your skin’s elasticity (something that we naturally start to lose with age), but it also gives your skin a vibrant glow that is the picture of health and beauty. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day should do the trick.

Tip #9: Avoid Toxins

Having healthy looking skin has a lot to do with the environmental factors that surround us. Some we can control, while others, we cannot. So let’s focus on what we can control: alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Yes, these are all things a lot of us find enjoyable. Some help us relax and unwind after a hard day’s work, and others give us the energy jolt we need to get going first thing in the morning. But the truth is, all three have detrimental effects on your skin. Excessive drinking, smoking, and caffeine consumption dries out the skin and gives it an unattractive, lifeless texture. So skip ‘Happy Hour’ and kick those cigarettes to the curb if you want to get vibrant, healthy looking skin. Can’t live without your morning cup of Joe? Try replacing it with a natural, herbal tea instead.

Tip #10: Reduce Stress

The pattern is simple: stress and anxiety lead to premature aging, which lead to unsightly wrinkles appearing on your skin and around the eyes especially. While a certain amount of stress is inevitable, and can in fact be good for your health, too much stress is terrible for your skin. Some simple ways to combat the day-to-day stress you experience are physical exercise (Yoga or Pilates are particularly good stress-busters), getting adequate sleep, and taking some time for yourself to do something you enjoy (a hobby, for instance). By learning ways to reduce your stress levels, you will be better equipped to deal with future stressful situations. As a result, you will become a happier person, which is a fundamental component to having good skin without “worry lines”.

If you want to reduce the signs of aging and give your skin a natural, healthy glow, it may be worth your while to include these skin care tips in your everyday routine. By doing so, you will soon be on your way to younger, healthier looking skin!