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continued:

Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

  • Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
  • Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
  • Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
  • Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
  • Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

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References
  1. Skin care. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/skin_care.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  2. Guidelines: Year-round sun protection. Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/year-round-sun-protection.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  3. Protective clothing: Our first line of defense. Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/clothing-our-first-line-of-defense.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  4. Stress and skin. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/stress-and-skin. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  5. Sunscreens. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreens. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  6. Dry skin: Tips for relieving. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/dry-skin/tips/dry-skin-tips-for-relieving. Accessed Sept. 2, 2011.
  7. Morita A, et al. Molecular basis of tobacco smoke-induced premature skin aging. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2009;14:53.
  8. Morita A. Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2007;48:169.
  9. Cosgrove MC, et al. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;86:1225.
  10. Bowe WP, et al. Diet and acne. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;63:124.
SN00003 Dec. 6, 2011

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