| Health Matters
Spring In to Better Skin! By Kennika Freeman Just as people change their wardrobes from winter to spring, skin habits must be altered as well to ensure healthy, attractive skin. Nothing cheers people up more than the weather turning warm! The coming of spring can be noticed all around, from ever shrinking piles of snow, to small green buds popping out on tree tips. The change in weather and environment also means it's time to re-evaluate your skin care regiment. Here is how you can make sure you put your best face forward as the world outside begins transforming from gray to green! § Exfoliate to remove dry skin cells that clog your pores. A simple mask made from cooled instant oatmeal can be applied for 10 minutes to slough the surface of your complexion without stripping it. § Use a light moisturizer on your face that is suitable for your particular skin type. As spring approaches, you perspire more and heavy moisturizers tend to clog your pores. § Drink six to eight glasses of water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out. § Avoid tanning salons that strip your skin of essential moisture and damage it with harmful rays. § Moisturize your entire body. A good trick is to liberally apply white petroleum jelly on your hands and feet, put on gloves and socks and go to bed. When you wake up, you're skin will be noticeably softer. § Vitamin A: Vitamin A has long been known to be an important component in skin care. Vitamin A is often found in night creams and prescription skin care products. Vitamin A has a proven ability to help fade out brown spots and aging spots and to smooth rough edges. Adding a few baby carrots to your afternoon snack will help provide you with some beta carotene a precursor to vitamin A. § Steam: A good sweat has long been a traditional remedy for a variety of ills, but it can also be a great way to detoxify the body and this includes the skin. If you've been suffering from skin eruptions or other skin disorders you may want to head to your local community center or spa and spend a little time in the sauna to sweat it all out. Sweating is the body's way of getting rid of skin impurities. So if after all of these tips you still feel your skin could use a little revitalization then give this last one a try. § EFAs: Yes, that's right another reason to keep eating (or start eating) those essential fatty acids everyone's raving about! EFAs are really important when in comes to keeping your skin in good condition. EFAs are found in flax seeds, hemp seeds, or deep water fish like salmon, provide essential nutrients for your skin. These nutrients not only help to hydrate and plum up the skin, but help also to water proof the skin. So if you have been slacking on the skin care front, you can get yours skin ready for spring with an early barbecue and some grilled salmon. With these simple tips your skin should be looking amazing come summer time. By taking charge of your skin care regimen now you will be ready for those warm summer nights and hot days at the beach. Your skin will be just beautiful enough to compliment your new bare all bikini! | 
