Put the lotion down.  Healthy skin does not start there.  Nor does it begin with the right cleanser, exfoliator, masque, peel, toner, or micellar water.  Rewind your steps until you’re out of the bathroom.  

The foundation of your healthy skin begins with five life habits that may appear unconnected to skincare.

There’s a kind of desperation that surfaces in the skincare aisle when you’re looking for that for that one product which will perfect tired, dreary skin.  However, if you don’t have these skincare basics in place you’ll be disappointed — no matter how much money or magic you spend in the beauty aisle.  You may even find that with these five steps pricey products will be unnecessary.  

Nothing I’m about to say here is new.  Sometimes in our pursuit of perfection, we forget to start with the basics.  Furthermore, the benefits of each of these habits reach far beyond the skin.  You will find increased overall healthfulness as well as mental agility and emotional balance.

1. Sleep.  I used to think that sleep was for people who didn’t have anything better to do. However, no beauty treatment will make up for simple lack of sleep. 

I’m talking the full recommended 7+ hours.  And don’t give me the, “Well, I only need four.”  If your skin is dragging, if it’s dull, if your eyes are puffy, or if acne, psoriasis, eczema plague you, then sleep is exactly where you need to start the healing process.  It is the first line of defense.  In my grandfather’s classic phrase, “Enjoy only 2 cosmetics, enough sleep & Dr. Bronner’s ‘Magic Soap’.”   

Sleep increases blood flow and production of the human growth hormone which in turn contributes to collagen production, relaxes facial muscles that foster lines, aids regeneration of skin cells, rebalances body moisture to reduce puffy eyes and reduces overall inflammation that triggers problems such as psoriasis, acne, and eczema.  A  study in The British Medical Journal  says it best:  “Our findings show that sleep deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive, and more tired compared with when they are well rested.” 

“But I can’t go to sleep!!  I have too much to do,” you say.  Your skin is saying the exact same thing. Your wakeful conscious self is getting in the way.  Go to sleep so that your body can get to work. 

Tip: Schedule your sleep.  Set yourself a “go to sleep” alarm for 8½ hours before your “need to get up” alarm. 

2. Drink water.  Although common sense backs this up there’s a surprising lack of research to support drinking water for skin health.  Plain water is fine, fairly free, and doesn’t produce waste.)  

The recommended 8 cups a day is just a guideline.  What you need depends on size, activity level, weather and other circumstances.  Thirst is the unquestioning indicator, but sometimes we all too easily ignore it.   

Why:  A symptom of dehydrated skin is loss of skin elasticity which means dehydrated skin cells are dry, flaky, and prone to wrinkling. With adequate hydration the skin can pull more water into cells to plump up and tighten them, making skin smoother and firmer, with fewer facial lines or visible cellulite. 

Tip:  Fill a pitcher or jug each morning with your daily amount of water.  Set a goal to finish it by day’s end.  Each time you want to consume anything — from a cup of coffee to a full meal — drink a glass of water first. You may find you eat less because what you mistook for hunger was actually thirst. 

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