Our skin is a very vital and complex organ; a strong envelope to keep us intact and everything else out. It is an organ of sensation and touch, closely connected to the great nerve center of our bodies. It has many life-preserving functions. It is a temperature regulator because it helps prevent the loss of heat when we are exposed to the cold. In over-heated conditions, the skin relies on tissues helping the heat to escape through profuse sweating. Sweating is also a response to sudden fear or emotional stress. Our skin maintains its health by excreting sebum, a fatty substance which comes to the surface where it mixes with sweat. This helps keep our skin pliable and moist.
Over-production or underproduction of sebum can cause excessively dry or oily skin. At puberty, the sex hormones affect the skin through the bloodstream and stimulate the sebaceous glands. The sudden increase of sebum activity may clog the pores and cause blackheads, pimples, or other skin problems. In premature aging, the sebum production slacks off considerably, causing the skin fibers to lose a lot of their elasticity and tone, resulting in dry, leathery looking skin that is wrinkled.
The surface of our skin is also normally acid, and this protective covering is called the acid mantle. It acts as a barrier against any bacterial invasions. If you wash with harsh alkaline type soaps, you will wash off the entire protective acid mantle and it takes quite a lot of hours before the body is able to restore it.
The skin breathes, drawing in oxygen and exhaling impurities, continuing steadily through the day and night. Other toxins are excreted in the form of perspiration which generally collects like tiny beads of droplets on the surface of our skin. Often the skin will take on increased elimination in order to relieve the workload of some distressed organ, like weak kidneys or liver, and even when the lungs are not working adequately. Toxins from the bowels are sometimes eliminated through the skin too. Were it not for these fantastic arrangements for removing the poisons from the body, the blood would become so polluted it would not even be able to support our life.
Another function nature has given to the skin is the ability to absorb certain external substances such as ointments or lotions that are applied to it. This absorption also means that unless the skin is properly bathed and cared for, the impurities deposited on the surface through perspiration accumulate and the waste may be absorbed in the body, causing the skin to become toxic.
Our skin consists of four layers which are constantly being renewed. The surface layer which is the epidermis flakes off and depends upon the layers underneath for constant renewal. That is why it is so important to use a little friction when bathing so that the dead flaking cells can be thoroughly removed. We also need to use cosmetics sparingly, taking care never to apply fresh makeup over the stale makeup.
Detox your body and life from bad habits and bad food
A detox is an excellent idea to benefit your skin. You feel wonderful and you look younger. There are certain superfoods that are packed with nutrients to get your skin in reverse again. When you detox, you are not starving yourself, it really means cleansing your body from all the toxins that have built up from the consumption of too many processed foods. The body naturally detoxes all the time but when you incorporate a detox regime into your life you put that natural process to its maximum benefits. Including these foods into your diet, you are going to notice stuff happening, very good stuff, inside and out:
Fresh fish (e.g., sardines, salmon, tilapia)
Fish truly has health benefits, which is why fish forms a big part in most anti-aging diets. Reason being, they have such high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in them and plenty of essential vitamins that are proven to make people healthier and younger looking.
Herbal tea (e.g., green tea, black tea, peppermint tea)
Herbal teas detoxify the body which is ideal for an anti-aging diet. They are safe and easy to use, to help you look younger from the inside out. They act as purifiers, helping to fight bacteria, cleanse impurities from your body and heal broken skin or wounds.
Greens (e.g., spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard, basil, etc.)
No anti-aging diet would work without leafy greens, because they are so detoxifying. They supply all the necessary vitamins and minerals to look younger. When you are short of iron you become tired, particularly for the older woman, and which can be so easily remedied by taking more vegetables. Look younger because your blood is clean and healthy.
Citrus (e.g., limes, lemons, oranges, grapefruit)
These fruits make you look younger because they supply abundant antioxidants, to fight off free radicals that accelerate getting old. Citrus fruits flush out the intestines, clearing your body of bacteria and toxins and keeping your body hydrated.
Pineapples
Pineapples contain bromelain, enzymes for digestive health because they clean out your colon. Pineapples have been used for hundreds of years for digestion problems.
