If you’re looking for that perfect complexion, or at least hoping for younger looking skin, then start examining your life style. Skin, the largest organ in the body, can be affected by a number of factors.

Life style factors: 

·           Stress 

·           Smoking  

·           Alcohol 

·           Lack of sleep 

·           Lack of exercise 

·           Lack of hydration 

·           Hormone imbalance

·           Medications

·           Over cleansing 

·           Not removing makeup 

·           Environmental factors: pollution, windburn, chapped skin

The two most important things you can do for beautiful skin is to drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day, and get enough sleep, at least eight hours. Eight seems to be the magic number. It’s not always manageable to get enough sleep. With hectic schedules it is easy to become sleep deprived. You have more control over the amount of water you drink. Make it a habit to take a glass of water with a meal, instead of a high calorie drink.          

If you are getting enough sleep and if you carry bottled water around, you might think that you are doing all you can do for your skin. But there are other potential detriments that can have a drastic effect on your skin and how well you age. Smoking and heavy use of alcohol are two life style elements that reek havoc on the skin. Not only are they unhealthy in general, but they will cause you to look years older.

The stress in your life shows up in your skin. Exercise is a great way to reduce that stress. It can improve your complexion by getting the blood circulating and sweating out toxins. Not only will you feel better but your skin will have a beautiful and healthy glow as well. Sex is also great for your complexion. In addition to being fun, it can be a good workout! 

Having a yearly physical is important for a healthy body as well as good looking skin. Hormonal imbalances can play havoc with a good complexion. Don’t think that “teenage skin” means that you won’t have break-outs later on. Many women experience problem skin when their hormonal levels change dramatically. For example during pregnancy and menopause hormone levels fluctuate, and some women find that they are faced with acne. There are also medications that can affect your skin. Some medicines can deplete the skin of its natural moisture. If you are concerned about a medication, ask your doctor.

Environmental factors also play a part in how your skin looks. Air pollution can cause an otherwise good complexion to seem dull. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution, be sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly. These days most people are aware of the damage that the sun can do to skin. Merely protecting yourself from the sun isn’t enough. Cold weather and windburn can cause chapping. Moisturizing can help protect your skin.

If your reaction to this article causes you to want to take a cloth and scrub away, be careful! Over-cleansing can be a problem, too! The best advice is to be consistent and follow a beauty regime. A good complexion takes some work, but the rewards are great.

See Part 2 For Advise on Cleansing the Skin

About the Author: April Masini , nicknamed "the new millennium`s Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books  Date Out Of Your League  (TurnKey Press, 0-9746763-0-6)  and Think & Date Like A Man  (iUniverse, 0-595-37466-2), as well as step-by-step dating and relationship manuals  50 First Dates and The Next 50 Dates . Masini is also the force behind  www.AskApril.com ,  the critically acclaimed dating and relationship advice column and online magazine. 

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