10 suggestions for natural skin care

A glowing complexion and confident smile are a reflection of your health and vitality. Achieve radiant skin in a natural way with these 10 top skin care pointers – suitable for men and women, young and old.

1. Keep out of the sun as much as possible. This is the single best preventive strategy to avoid premature aging and the risk of developing skin cancer. Outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose, light, long-sleeved clothing rather than shorts and skimpy tops.
2. Use sunscreen. Keep it in a handy place – your handbag, car, gardening kit, picnic basket or golf bag – and apply it about 30 minutes before you go out, as it takes this long to become effective.
3. Eat a diet high in natural fibre because digestive problems can result in skin blemishes. Good health starts from the inside, so include lots of fruit, raw vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
4. Try to minimize or completely avoid exposure to your skin's natural enemies. For example, stress, too many late nights, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes can all play a part in making you look less than your best.
5. Avoid using soap. Its alkalinity tends to strip the natural acid mantle from your skin. Choose a gentle cleansing oil or cream instead.
6. Moisturize your face every day. As well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines and countering flakiness and dryness, a rich moisturizer will plump up your skin, creating a smoother, more even appearance.
7. Drink eight glasses of water a day. Your skin should contain about 15 percent water. However, in air-conditioned offices where the humidity level is low, this moisture evaporates faster than it can be replaced.
8. Give your skin time to rest and breathe occasionally by cleansing it thoroughly and leaving it free of moisturizers and makeup. Your skin will benefit from the deep cleansing. For best results, do this after a facial or a facial steam.
9. Apply fruit acids in the form of a face mask. If used regularly, the acids and enzymes in the fruit help to slough off dead skin cells, fade age spots and make your skin appear brighter. Save money by making your own face masks rather than buying expensive commercial products.
10. Regular aerobic exercise gives you instantly glowing skin and it's also a great natural foundation for good health. Choose an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.

You don't need to spend a fortune on cosmetics and commercial treatments to maintain a healthy complexion. Simply eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly and follow a natural approach to skin care – your skin will thank you for it!