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Youthful skin is generally a result of proper care and diet. Skin aging, therefore, can be avoided by taking certain skin care measures along with ensuring healthy eating habits.
Let us look at what skin care measures you should generally take. First, protect your skin from the sun's rays. Do not expose your skin to direct sunlight during the afternoon hours when the intensity of sunlight is very high. If you have to go out, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen lotion. The second most important thing to do is quit smoking (if you smoke, that is). Smoking increases the amount and intensity of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the face. It also deprives the skin of nutrients and oxygen and breaks down the collagen that binds the skin. The next important thing to do is to wash your face frequently with a mild cleanser to keep your skin clean. Washing helps removes harmful chemicals, irritants, and other toxic materials that your skin might have come in contact with. It is equally important that you use a moisturizer daily. Moisturizers keep your skin hydrated and also helps retain the nutrients present in your skin by providing a protective coating.
Regarding dietary practices, you can include the following food items in your diet: leafy green vegetables (especially the ones with good fiber content), fresh fruits, whole grains, cereals, nuts, legumes, fish, and olive oil. Try to contain your Red meat consumption. Avoid processed foods and fried foods as they generally have less nutrition and a higher calorific value. Dairy products should also be chosen after carefully scrutinizing the fat content; the lower the fat content, the better. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin so include Vitamin A rich foods like carrot, broccoli, and spinach in your diet. You can also take special supplements of vitamin A that are available in drug stores. Your skin's health also depends on the health of your digestive system. Vegetable fiber is helpful in cleansing the digestive system and keeps it healthy. If, however, you feel that your diet is lacking the necessary vegetable fiber, you can supplement your fiber intake to consuming psyllium husk mixed in warm water. Psyllium husk is natural and is readily available at drug stores. Finally, the cardinal rule of healthy skin - drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water rejuvenates the skin by cleaning the pores, flushing out toxins, and keeping it hydrated.
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