The skin is the largest organ in the body- that’s right it is an organ like the liver heart or kidneys. It has a variety of vital functions ranging from helping with temperature regulation to eliminating toxins and, of course keeping our body together. Imagine the body without a skin covering! It is also the part of our bodies that we show to the world. Yet often we take it for granted.
Many people spend large sums of money on trying to make the skin look better. There is actually no need to spend mega dollars when there are simple things you can do to make your skin look great and inexpensive creams that do the same as the expensive ones.
So here are ten simple tips on how to have great looking skin –
1) Drink water to hydrate the skin. You need 30ml/kilogram body weight per day of water. You do not need soft drinks.
2) Get a good supply of Omega 3 fatty acids. These are found in oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout or tuna and also in flaxseed and walnuts. You can also consider an omega 3 supplement.
3) Cut down on sugary foods. These make the body acidic and are bad for your skin.
4) Eat more vegetables, which are rich in vitamin A like pumpkin, turnips, broccoli peas and leafy greens.
5) Eat foods, which are rich in vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, peppers, kale and guava. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and it supports the skins collagen.
6) Drink green tea. This has a number of useful antioxidants.
7) Have plenty of fiber in your diet. Have an apple or some nuts as a snack instead of a biscuit.
8) Have a healthy intestine by taking a pro-biotic. A healthy intestine will mean better absorption of nutrients and the elimination of toxins. Many things can disturb your gut’s bacteria so a pro-biotic can help.
9) Do regular exercise. This literally will make your skin glow. It stimulates the circulation and hence helps remove toxins.
10) Do an exfoliation. This can be as simple as using a brush on your skin when you have a shower to remove dead cells. It also helps the lymph circulation.
Most of these are ways of looking after your skin from the inside. The other component is using good quality products on your skin to help with renewal and moisturizing.
When selecting products what you DON’T apply to the skin is as important as what you DO apply. Preferably use skin care products that don’t contain parabens, mineral oils and other nasties. Read the labels, just as you would with the foods you eat to make sure your skin care products are free from these ingredients.
We need some sunshine for vitamin D but too much is a problem. Sun damage causes premature aging and can lead to skin cancer. Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses together with zinc oxide (minimum SPF 15.)
Looking after your skin and keeping it looking great is easy and need not be expensive. Care for your skin from the inside and the outside.
Medical Doctor, author, speaker, media presenter and health industry consultant, Dr Joe Kosterich wants you to be healthy and get the most out of life.
Joe writes for numerous medical and mainstream publications, is clinical editor at Medical Forum Magazine, and is also a regular on radio and television.
Joe is Medical Advisor to Medicinal Cannabis Company Little Green Pharma, Chairman of Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association and sits on the board of Arthritis and Osteoporosis WA. He is often called to give opinions in medico legal cases.
He has self-published two books: Dr Joe’s DIY Health and 60 Minutes To Better Health.
In 2024 due to public demand he commenced a podcast, Dr Joe Unplugged, which can be accessed via Spotify, Apple or YouTube.
Through all this he continues to see patients as a GP each week.
