In a beauty conscious world, it becomes more and more apparent that we all need to pay great attention to our largest organ. Our Skin! It is sometimes downright neglected. People are usually preoccupied with life and don’t give their skin a second thought. That is until we notice a mole that wasn’t there before. But please don’t take this realization as persecution. We have all been guilty of foregoing the sunscreen on our way to lunch or falling asleep without washing our face. We’re human. I’m sure you have heard the cliché, "If you just drink water, then your skin will be radiant and youthful until forever." That’s simply not true. Yes, water is important because it keeps the skin hydrated. However, one thing you should take note of is that different people need different amounts of water. A simple Google search can tell you how much water you need based on your height and weight. This is a great first step to living a healthier life. There are, however, other factors to consider when taking care of your beautiful skin.

Products, Products, and More Products

It can sometimes be hard to decipher what products to use or what products are right for you. When reading product labels, it's always difficult to understand how alpha-lipoic acid and hydroquinone can benefit our skin. You pace up and down the aisle giving yourself a headache trying to decide between organic and non-organic products. It could all be so simple. But unfortunately for some, it’s not.

When looking for skin products it is important to consult your dermatologist to make sure you learn as much as you can about your skin type (oily, combination, dry). Take your dermatologist's advice when purchasing products. If you have oily skin, use products that cater to oily skin. If you have dry skin, then use products suitable for dry skin, and so on. If you love all things organic, you can also find animal-friendly and cruelty-free products.

You Are What You Eat

No. Really, you are. There are ways around skin tips and it comes in the form of lovely green veggies. I have had my share of success with this one tip and I find it selfish to keep it from the general public. Super-dose your vegetables. This means taking in 9 to 12 servings of vegetables a day. I have seen the effects of a diet high in colorful vegetables and it is nothing short of amazing. Think of the color wheel when enjoying your vegetables and try to get in at least one of each color per day.

Get Comfortable in your Skin

Bills, work, school, play, family, friends, and then you. You wouldn’t believe how many people place everyone and everything else before themselves. It is important to take care of you first. I repeat, take care of you first. The other things are important and need your attention, but if you aren’t at your best then you can’t give your best. What does this mean for your skin? It means stress management is a top priority. We can’t eliminate it all together. Sometimes it rears its ugly head in the form of deadlines at work, final exams, or taking care of family members. It all shows on your skin! All of it! So in these times, it is important to take time for yourself. Schedule a few days in the month where you have professional estheticians come in and pamper you. Have a facial, microdermabrasion, or a peel to deeply cleanse and treat your skin. Have a massage (hot stone, deep tissue, Swedish, etc.) to relax, improve circulation, and help eliminate pockets of cellulite. These are just a couple of things you can do to make sure that life’s stress doesn’t show up on that gorgeous face of yours.

Take these tips into account when caring for yourself and your skin. It really does begin with what’s on the inside. Taking the time to nourish your body by eating better, managing stress, and using the right products tailor-made for your skin is essential to having the best skin possible.