Loving the Skin You're In
by Michele Krauss

Your skin can tell people things about you without you saying a word. It’s the body’s largest organ, and accounts for 15 percent of your body weight. It’s also one of the first things people notice about you. Get a jump on skin care with these important steps.

1. Type it. Determine your skin type and purchase proper products. Your skin may be a combination of oily and dry, but your current product might be stripping skin of essential moisture. Diagnose your skin type, and make sure your products match.

2. Don’t overdo it. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or a bit of both, even dermatologists recommend a gentle touch when it comes to washing.

3. Protect it. Sun exposure can be the biggest factor in skin aging. Use at least an SPF 30, every day.

4. Move. Daily exercise affects skin health by bringing blood to all areas of the body. Now all those “rosy cheeks” comments you got as a child make perfect sense!

5. Eat right. Your diet can have a direct impact on the appearance of your skin. Think fish, veggies, fresh fruit, and olives. Ditch things like red meat, dairy, and especially sugar, which has been found to encourage wrinkles.