10 tips to terrific skin

Do you want radiant glowing skin? Follow these simple tips to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.  

1. Drink H20 – by keeping your body hydrated, you moisturise your skin from the inside out. Drink 1-2 litres a day or more if you need it. 
2. Use a good moisturiser – using a good moisturiser on exposed skin areas helps to protect the skin from sun and wind damage. 
3. Sunscreen is essential – you need to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. So slip, slop, slap or chose a foundation with SPF 30.  
4. A little Vitamin D – 10-15 minutes of sun a day is good for bone density, red blood cells and energy, but make sure it’s no longer than that. 
5. Stay cool – avoid very HOT showers as they tend to dry out your skin. 
6. Let your body breathe – cotton and cotton-blend clothing is cool. It allows the body to breathe and regulates body temperature. 
7. Love lemons – citrus contains antioxidants that support the skin, so include a good serving of lime, lemon, pineapple and orange into your diet. 
8. More fruit! – paw paw is excellent for skin and aids digestion. It can also help aid minor burns, cuts, cold sores and cracked lips and other skin conditions. 
9. Vege out – boost energy and support your immune system by eating more vegetables. Try water-based vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini and lettuce to hydrate the skin. 
10. General care – use a ‘loofah’ to stimulate circulation of blood and exfoliate dead skin cells before your shower. Finish with cold water to close pores and apply a moisturiser. 

Slow down on the caffeine

Do you wake up with a cup of coffee? Pick up an energy drink when you feel tired? Or snack on a chocolate bar for a sugar hit? Caffeine, found in all of the above, speeds up the messages to your brain, increases your heartbeat and creates more acid in your stomach. You feel more awake, but how is it affecting your body?

If you drink more than two cups of coffee a day, you may begin to experience headaches, restlessness, agitation, tremors, depression and severe palpitation. Caffeine can also lead to weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. Plus there is the general toxicity, links to potential cancer and its negative effect on calcium balance and bone integrity.

Ever wonder why you can’t sleep at night? We can blame caffeine for that too. So next time you reach for your caffeine hit, consider the health impacts and slow down instead of speeding up.

DID YOU KNOW? 

Caffeine increases the adrenaline in your body, but when that adrenaline leaves your body, you become fatigued, requiring more and more caffeine to function normally. Like always, moderation is best.