Get skin that glows from within…

Most of us take the time each day to give our skins a healthy looking glow using “quick fix” products such as bronzers and illuminating creams, but what about getting a real glow from within? It needn’t be as expensive or time consuming as you think. Follow my tips to get glowing skin at home without spending hundreds at the spa. It only takes a few minutes a day and you can start today!

Exercise – get an instant Oxygen boost and improved circulation, which is just what healthy skin needs. If you find it hard to squeeze a 30 minute walk in 3 times a week, why not try a quick skip for just 10 minutes a day? You can even do it while watching your favourite T.V. show and still work up a sweat! All you need is a skipping rope and a good pair of shock absorbing runners to protect your ankles and knees. A skipping workout can be just as effective as doing a high impact aerobics workout.

Yoga – strike a pose and stretch for supple skin and to beat premature ageing. Yoga experts claim yoga does wonders for skin because it encourages deep breathing, blood flow, relaxes the body and mind as well as inducing sweat. Search your local Yoga club online or in the local newspaper for more info and session details.

Fresh Air and sunshine – most of us lead busy lives and don’t get enough time to really get out and enjoy the air and the sunshine, but getting just 10 minutes a day will help top up your levels of Vitamin D, necessary for skin health. Consider a short walk on your lunch break, but be sure to use a sunscreen if staying outdoors for longer periods!

Massage – stimulating blood and oxygen flow to your skin is vital for a healthy, natural glow, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is with massage. Try these quick and easy face massage techniques while you cleanse, or use a small amount of vegetable oil after cleansing, to massage your skin.

You might find it easier to lay down to do these exercises. Experiment with the positioning of your head to get the best angle for fluid movements. Sorry for the lack of diagrams – my scanner is currently not working, but will upload them asap.

1. Starting with clean hands, take a portion of your cleanser or massage oil (suitable for face) and use upward movements at the base of your throat, rotating one hand after the other. Repeat 16 times.
2. With hands flat on your cheek and head tilted to the side, use an upward movement sliding from the bottom of your cheek toward your cheek bone. Alternate your hands one after the other in a brisk motion. Repeat 6 times then apply same process to the other side of your face.
3. With the ring and middle fingers of each hand and your head tilted to the side, use an upward rolling motion at the corner of one side of your mouth. Repeat 3 times on each side of your mouth.
4. With the index and middle fingers of each hand, start a scissor movement from the centre of the mouth so that your index fingers are above your top lip, and your middle fingers are just below your bottom lip. Glide them outward and upward over the cheek bones, stopping at the top of the cheek bones. Repeat the movement 16 times.
5. With the middle and ring fingers of each hand, start a criss-cross movement at the outside corner of your eye. Repeat the movement 3 times on each side of your face.

Food – there are plenty of wonder foods available for aiding a glowing complexion. Incorporating foods such as those rich in Omega 3 and essential fatty acids will help minimise dry skin and premature ageing and keep skin supple and healthy. Your best sources are oily fish, like salmon, free range eggs, and a variety of nuts, seeds and oils such as walnuts, flaxseeds, soya bean and canola oils. Why not try substituting a night of take away with a healthy salmon steak, a bowl of cereal for an omelette or scrambled eggs, and your afternoon snacks with a variety of nuts and fruit? Not only will your skin start to take on a healthier appearance, but your heart health will majorly benefit too. Other wonder foods for skin include those rich in vitamins A C & E, found in fruits, vegetables and nuts. You need to top up these Vitamins daily as your body rids any excess rather than storing them.

Antioxidants – these are the wonder critters said to scavenge free radicals which can contribute to premature ageing of the skin. Antioxidants are found in lots of natural foods including berries, green tea, pecans, apples, artichokes and red beans.

Water – drinking up to a litre a day is recommended to keep your cells hydrated and body working at its peak efficiency. Lack of hydration will show up on your skin as fine lines, so drink up to keep your cells plump and your skin glowing.

Sleep – getting lots of rest when you need it is vital for glowing skin. Your skin actually regenerates and heals during your sleeping hours, so be sure to get a full nights rest and take a nap if you feel the need. Take a look in the mirror next time you get less than a full night of sleep, and you will notice it takes on almost a see through appearance, with any scars and dark circles on show and hardly a glow in sight. Take a look after getting a good rest and see how your skin glows and takes on a more radiant and even appearance.

Still getting skin problems?

• Poor diets – can wreak havoc on your complexion, so avoid excess caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, fats, oils and medications where possible.
• Stress – can interfere with your body’s ability to function properly and lead to premature ageing and skin sagging.
• Sleeping in your make-up – no matter how pure your make-up this is a big no-no. It can lead to blocked pores, encourages wrinkles and disrupts skins regenerating process.
• Personal hygiene – wash hands before touching your face, change your washcloth daily, change your pillowcase every two days, keep hair off your face and clean your make-up brushes and sponges regularly to avoid adding bacteria to your pores.
• Hormones/Health – persistent breakouts or dryness may be an indication of an underlying medical issue and is best seen to by a specialist. Start with seeing your GP who can then recommend you to a specialist if necessary.

Remember – your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside your body – look after your body and take notice of your skin for early warning signs to what may be needing to change in your lifestyle.