by Rhulain Swann

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Beauty begins with healthy, glowing skin. Skincare basics include eating the right foods (and staying away from the wrong ones), drinking enough water, exercising, getting sufficient sleep, and routine use of sunscreen.

Not everyone knows that the first step to having great skin is nutrition. Your skin produces new cells constantly and new cell growth depends on nutrients. Vitamin C increases the synthesis of collagen, giving the skin tone and elasticity. Vitamin A also fights against signs of aging by promoting the growth and renewal of new skin cells. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause acne because vitamin A helps reduce sebum production. Vitamin E enhances the skin's natural ability to heal and rebuild itself and also fights against environmental effects. Water flushes toxins out of the body so drinking 8-12 glasses a day is recommended to keep skin healthy.

Exercise is a great way to boost the skin's appearance. It raises the heart-rate, which increases blood flow and brings more oxygen to the skin. Sleep is essential to healthy skin because this is the time when it repairs itself. Lack of sleep causes stress, which results in the skin losing its elasticity and becomes prone to acne. Sunscreen is important because overexposure to the sun causes premature wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It can also cause skin cancer. Smoking can also cause skin to age prematurely because the nicotine reduces the oxygen the skin receives, causing it to look dull and sometimes discolored. The reduction of oxygen levels also lends to skin losing elasticity, which will result in sagging.

Skincare varies by skin type. Normal skin, characterized by a smooth texture with small pores, should be routinely cleansed with a foaming cleanser and exfoliated twice a week. A light moisturizer with sunscreen should be used when going outdoors. Dry skin shows fine lines and will sometimes feel rough. Using cream cleansers and a lightweight facial oil or richer moisturizer will help hydrate the skin. Night creams with alphahydroxy acids is recommended. Oily skin can be difficult to manage. It is prone to breakouts and shine, particularly in the T-zone. Cleanse the face twice a day with an oil-free cleanser and use an alcohol-free astringent to remove excess oil. An oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer is recommended. Combination skin is both oily and dry, one or the other in certain areas. This type of skin requires regular cleansing, toning, and moisturizing for the oilier areas and a lighter cleanser and richer moisturizer for the dryer areas. Sensitive skin is easily irritated by perfumes or dyes in products. Using mild and non-scented products specifically formulated for sensitive skin would be best.

Following these tips will help in maintaining good skin or repairing skin that has already been damaged. The methods here are fairly simple. It is not necessary to buy particularly expensive or designer-brand products to achieve the wanted results.

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