The Philosophy of Skin Care
By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Foundation
Healthy, vibrant skin is not found in a bottle or the result of a magic potion. Some fortunate individuals have naturally flawless and supple skin, but most of us have to work at it. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and the condition of your skin acts as a gauge for your overall wellness. Caring for your skin should be a normal part of your daily health and beauty routine. It is essential that you protect your skin from damage as well as provide your body with the necessary nutrients to keep your skin strong and healthy. Here are the basic facts you need to know in order to care properly for your skin today, and to protect it so that it can serve you well for many years into the future.
Beware of the Sun
If you do nothing else regarding the care of your skin, be sure to take proper measures to protect it from the damaging effects of too much sun. The sun emits several different types of radiation, including ultraviolet rays that are capable of causing damaging sunburn; and infrared rays, which are thought to be the culprits behind most long-term skin damage. According to conventional medicine, sun exposure accounts for 90% of all medical skin damage such as cancer and tumors. It is also responsible for over 80% of all cosmetic skin damage including wrinkles, premature aging, sagging, dry skin, age spots, and broken blood vessels.
Yet, despite all this evidence, most Americans continue to actively sunbathe in hopes of getting a tan so they can be fashionable and look "healthier." Sun worship can be a deadly religion. What they can't get through their heads is that the tan of today is likely to produce skin disease in the future. Avoiding peak sun exposure (10am-3pm) is the best thing you can do for the wellness and appearance of your skin. With all of the natural sunscreens, natural sunless tanning creams, and protection products available today, Americans should have less and less of a need to expose themselves to over-exposure.
Don't get me wrong though, your body needs sunlight and many people are actually sunlight deficient! A limited amount of exposure to direct sunlight is beneficial to the skin and the entire body. The sun is most beneficial to the skin in the early morning hours during sunrise and in the evening at sunset. About 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night is optimal. The most damaging rays occur between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Skin Care Philosophy: To avoid sun damage during the heat of the day, use a natural sunscreen such as UV Natural with a minimum SPF 15. Wear protective clothing whenever possible, including a long-sleeved shirt and a wide-brimmed hat for extra safety. If necessary, use a natural sunless tanner to brighten your skin and replace a suntan.
You Are What You Eat
Skin care is more than just what you put on your skin; it's also what you put in your body. What you eat and drink can directly affect the wellness and overall appearance of your skin. Your body needs more than 40 different nutrients on a daily basis for proper growth and performance. If it doesn't receive all of these nutrients, basic life functions, such as the maintenance and repair of skin tissues, begin to suffer. Eating a wholesome, well-balanced healthy diet will supply your body with the fuel and building blocks you need to stay well and keep your systems functioning properly. What you drink is just as critical as what you eat. The body needs ample amounts of purified water in order to operate efficiently. Try to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of purified water every day. Your body and skin will thank you! Alcohol and sugary sodas can alter your body's internal chemistry, and should be avoided or only consumed in moderation.
Skin Care Philosophy: Give your body and your skin the tools they need to stay strong and healthy. Drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day to hydrate your skin, transport nutrients, and remove waste products from your system. Aim to eat a healthy, natural diet that will assist your body at maintaining and repairing your skin. A diet heavy in organic fresh fruits and vegetables will provide the essential vitamins and minerals you need to keep your skin in optimal condition.
Walk a Mile in Your Skin
Many people fail to fail to understand how important exercise is to skin care. The fact is, exercise plays a crucial role in the health, maintenance, and beauty of your skin. Regular exercise can improve your skin's color and texture by increasing blood flow, improving circulation and eliminating toxins. This means greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients can be delivered throughout your system. When exercising, a few precautions are in order to avoid skin trouble in the future:
Remove makeup and cosmetics before exercising so that your skin can breathe and perspire effectively.
Take off jewelry to lessen the chance of irritating skin reactions.
Cleanse your skin as soon as possible after exercising to remove sweat, grime, and debris that can potentially clog your pores.
Skin Care Philosophy: Make daily exercise a consistent part of your skin care regimen. Exercise helps to stimulate the digestive system and better move nutrients throughout the body. It can also help to cleanse toxins through perspiration. Even 15 minutes a day can boost your overall wellness and the condition and appearance of your skin.
About the Author
Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, OAW is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe, clean and hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions for whole body wellness. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Botanicals, an all-natural skin care line which promotes natural health and anti-aging solutions for the skin. All Lanique Botanicals and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, heavy metals, irradiation, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. Please visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com
