Best Ways to Get Clear Skin

Clear skin... everyone wants it! Aside from a person's smile, or eyes, skin is one of the first things another person notices when they meet someone. And when a person has clear, glowing skin, it makes them look healthy and feel confident. But many times, people have skin problems such as acne, dullness, dry patches, eczema and more, which makes them feel very self-conscious. So what are the best ways to get clear skin? This blog will share some great tips on getting clear skin and helping it to stay that way. Always remember, though -- if you have a skin problem that you are concerned about or you want to start a new skin care regimen, always consult with your doctor first.

- First things first: always drink plenty of water. Dehydration contributes to dull-looking dry skin; dehydration can help cause the appearance of fine lines. Water helps to flush out any toxins in your system, which can cause skin problems such as acne, and helps keep your skin hydrated from the inside.

- Cleanse and tone your skin in the morning and at night. Cleansing and toning your skin helps to rid your skin of dirt, excess oil and other impurities; and toning can help to exfoliate and get rid of the layer of dead skin cells. This will help to prevent clogged pores and acne breakouts, and give the appearance of brighter, healthier looking skin.

- If you want extra exfoliation to help get rid of the layer of dead skin cells, to brighten and smooth the skin, try an exfoliating scrub with gentle exfoliating beads. Gentle exfoliating scrubs are great since they do not damage the skin in any way. You can make your own inexpensive gentle exfoliating scrub at home by mixing one tablespoon of granulated sugar with a small amount of a skin-nourishing oil, such as olive oil. Mix the two together and apply to your face in circular, outward motions, then rinse. Voila! Your skin will be oh-so-soft and satiny smooth.

- Moisturize your skin daily, with a moisturizer suited for your skin type, morning and night -- even if you have oily skin. Sometimes oily skin overproduces oil because its natural moisture is not being replenished. Moisturizing helps to replenish the natural moisture lost during cleansing, and also helps improve skin's elasticity and resiliency. Moisturizing also helps your skin to retain moisture, making it soft and silky smooth. What's the best part? Sticking to a daily moisturizing regimen helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and helps to prevent future fine lines from forming. Moisturizing also helps keep the itchiness of eczema at bay, and in some cases, can help prevent it from returning.



- If you have acne, do not pick at it or pop it, no matter how great the temptation. That will only lead to scarring and dark marks, and possibly cause more acne to erupt. Cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize to help prevent acne from popping up; and when you have a pimple, use a good, non-irritating spot acne treatment such as tea tree oil to help soothe inflammation and clear up the pimple.

- Remember how I talked about the importance of drinking water for clear skin? Well, making sure you eat healthy and get adequate exercise is just as important for clear skin. What you put in your body will show up on the outside of your body, so be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods rich on omega-3 essential fatty acids and lean proteins. Nourishing your body will, in turn, nourish your skin. And exercise will get your heart pumping and blood flowing to your tissues, which promotes healing.



- Make sure to get enough sleep every night. During sleep, your body's cells regenerate and heal from the damage of the day. Take advantage of this internal healing system, get plenty of sleep, and wake up looking and feeling refreshed. If you don't, your skin will be sure to show it.

- For an extra boost to draw any impurities out from your skin, try doing a steam treatment. You can do this by going into a sauna, or you can do a home steam treatment. The at-home treatment can be done by boiling a pot of water, then add the boiling water to a big bowl or wash basin with a little bit of lemon juice (or a few drops of your favorite therapeutic essential oil), place a towel over your head and hang your head over the bowl to inhale the steam. You can also use an herbal tea (such as chamomile tea) for this steam treatment. This will not only open up your head but it will open up the pores in your skin, which helps to get rid of impurities. Be careful not to get too close to the steam and don't let it burn your skin. After going into a sauna or doing a home steam treatment, finish off with a lukewarm face wash.

These are some excellent tips to get clear skin and if followed correctly, will put you on the path to having clear, glowing skin. Remember to see your doctor if you have any concerns. Treat your skin well, and it will treat you well!

Great Tips for Weight Loss

In this day and age, it seems like everyone wants to lose weight for one reason or another. There are a plethora of weight loss pills and supplements on the market for that very purpose! Much more invasive ways of losing weight, such as bariatric surgery, are also becoming more popular. However, not everyone can afford weight loss pills and supplements -- and very few people can afford weight loss surgery or liposuction. So it's best for your body (and your wallet) if you first try to lose weight the natural way -- through proper nutrition and adequate exercise. Remember: before starting any new supplements, diets, or exercise plans, always check with your doctor. After you have your doctor's ok and his/her advice, try some of the tips in this blog and see if they help you.

One of the most overlooked -- and very important -- ways to help lose weight is to drink plenty of water. Not only is water vitally important to help keep your body running smoothly and in a state of homeostasis, it will help "flush out the fat," so to speak. Drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins from the body, and also helps keep you feeling "full." Water helps keep the skin looking glowy and feeling smooth. Also, it's very important to keep hydrated -- especially after exercise, or being outside on a hot day. When a person feels thirsty, he/she is by that point, already a little dehydrated. A good habit to form is to keep a container of water with you at all times and drink throughout the day. That way you will not be thirsty and you will be helping your body flush out toxins and fat.

Everyone knows that eating healthy is essential in the weight loss process. But what constitutes eating healthy? Everyone has individual nutrition needs, so it is best to consult with a nutritionist on your body's specific needs -- and a nutritionist can help customize a diet plan just for you. However, some good guidelines for eating healthy are things such as: eat around 5-6 small, healthy meals per day instead of 3 big meals -- this will help keep you feeling full and satisfied and also helps you burn more calories by prompting your metabolism to speed up. Eat a good balance of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables -- this will make sure you get adequate nutrition and will help to keep your blood glucose levels steady. Keeping blood glucose levels steady is very important, as low blood sugar levels will make a person feel very hungry and irritable. Make sure to eat plenty of fiber, which will also keep you feeling full and satisfied, and keeps the bowels regular -- which in turn helps fight bloating and also help flush out your system. Another thing to remember is it's ok to have treats every now and then -- just in moderation. If you want some ice cream, a cheeseburger, or a piece of pizza, go for it -- just remember to not overdo it (eat small amounts) and to not eat those high fat foods often. Indulging yourself every once in a while is healthy -- and it's something to look forward to.

Another important thing to do is to get your hormone levels -- especially the thyroid -- checked and treated if there is an imbalance. A dysfunctional, underactive thyroid can cause very sluggish metabolism and lead to weight gain. An excess of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, or too little testosterone -- can do the same thing. It is imperative to treat any hormone imbalances, not only to help you lose weight, but to keep you feeling energetic and not fatigued.



I know you were anticipating this next tip -- exercise. Getting adequate exercise and burning off more calories than you take in is crucial to the weight loss process. If you haven't been exercising regularly, it is important to start small. Do something easy such as taking a 20 minute walk 3-4 times a week and work your way up from there. Do activities that you enjoy so exercising won't seem like a drag. Getting friends or family involved helps too -- it's always more fun to exercise with a friend or family member.

My last tip may (or may not) surprise you -- and that is: sleep. Yes, sleep. Getting enough sleep is extremely important for your overall health. Lack of sleep can lead to health problems and contributes to being stressed out -- and stress can cause the body to keep extra weight. Getting plenty of sleep will also help you feel refreshed and energized, and having enough energy to exercise is key. Strive to get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night and see what a difference it makes in your life. Also, take some time out for yourself to relax and have fun! What's life without some fun?

Again, remember to consult with your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise regimen. Follow the weight loss tips in this blog properly and soon you should see a difference in not just your weight, but your overall health.