Radiant Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body - each human adult has a total surface area of about 10 square feet (or approximately six pounds) of skin cells. Our skin serves to protect us from the constant onslaught of environmental stressors through various ways. Not only does it act as a barrier to pollutants, but it also plays key roles in helping us absorb healthful substances like light, oxygen and moisture, as well as the elimination of waste products from our systems.

Our skin is so vital to our health. And we all desire complexions that are soft, smooth, supple and radiantly youthful as our skin is a direct reflection of our well-being.

So what is the single most important consideration in keeping our skin healthy?

Healthy skin is an "inside" job - skin that is happy on the inside is happy on the outside! And there are a number of easy ways to support our skin's appearance and function, including:nn- Consume a healthy, natural diet comprised of organic foods free of hormones and pesticides.
- Drink plenty of purified water to enable proper and efficient elimination.
- Use nontoxic, safe ingredients in shampoos, make-up and other skin-care products.
- Daily use of sunscreen (with a minimum of SPF 15), even on overcast days.
- Weekly exercise regimen to promote and improve circulation (ideally consisting of 4 to 5 sessions of 30-minute aerobic activity, with 4 to 5 sessions of 15-minute resistance training).
- Get adequate sleep every nightn- Routine practice of meditation, visualization or yoga.

The top age accelerators are negative emotions and stress. Think about the simple ease by which we can predict how someone's day has gone just by examining his or her face. But remember - we wear our stresses in our cells, as well as upon our faces.

Our mood and attitude toward life continually affects our physiology. Negative states trigger the formation of powerful stress hormones like cortisol, and positive states activate the formation of highly beneficial substances like endorphins and enkephalins. The more time we engage in rejuvenating activities that promote positive, relaxed and meditative states - the more our cells are revitalized.

For example, growth hormone is a substance that sustains youthfulness and vitality by promoting efficient metabolism, lean body mass and healthy bone density. Our pituitary gland is stimulated to release growth hormone whenever we sleep, exercise, meditate or visualize. Therefore even though its production diminishes with age, we can still help sustain optimal levels of this hormone by engaging in very activities which trigger its release.

All of these are important factors to be considered when establishing a comprehensive approach to the promotion and maintenance of vibrantly healthy skin. Start a new skin care routine today for radiantly healthy skin tomorrow.