The Holistic Approach to Glowing Healthy Skin

The largest organ of the body is our skin. It is our defense against disease and infection; it helps to regulate body temperature and even helps in vitamin production. Most people of today are more interested in how to keep skin looking healthy rather than really keeping it healthy. Skin health is vital for beauty and general health. Staying out of direct sunlight is one of the best ways to keep skin looking healthy. Avoiding direct sunlight will aid in keeping skin looking young, soft, radiant, and wrinkle free.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun can give a person a healthy-looking tan, but the damage its causes are major if you tan on a regular basis. The sun can cause problems with pigmentation, sunburn and elasticity, all of which leads to premature aging.

There are several signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dark skin, loss of translucency, and dryness. Topical skin lightening treatments or oral skin supplements would be of no use if you tan consistently or daily, even with the best genetics.

Avoiding the sun as much as possible if preferable, but if you do have to be out in the sun, make sure you apply sunscreen, especially for extended periods of time.

Being sensible about sun exposure is one way to promote healthy skin. But what else can we do to improve our skin condition or promote radiant healthy skin? There are certain oral supplements that promote healthy skin. Which are the best and most effective of supplements?

Oral Supplements

Vitamins and minerals are essential for proper health and function of all body organs.

The vitamins and minerals that can affect skin health include B-complex like B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cyancobalamine) are vitamins that can directly affect the skin. Deficiencies of vitamins B1 and B2 can cause forms of dermatitis. This is an inflammation of the skin. A Deficiency of B12 is damaging to neurons and rapidly dividing cells, including skin cells. Other vitamins and minerals essential to skin health are Vitamin C, iron and copper. These are important for collagen synthesis which is a key structural protein. Collagen fills the skin and gives it tone. Critical to the normal life cycle of skin cells, vitamin A deficiency can causes skin to become dry and fragile, and promote wrinkles, however too much should be avoided because it can be toxic. It has also been determined that vitamins C and E, along with beta-carotene are anti-oxidants and can reduce skin degeneration and aging caused by free radicals.

Free radicals and anti-oxidants are beyond doubt, clinical results have not proven if supplementary vitamins and other micronutrients improve skin quality and defy the aging process. Just as harmful as deficiencies, excessive doses are not recommended. You should still follow the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for any vitamin, mineral or supplement you use.

Topical Ointments or topical applications should go hand in hand with oral supplements. It is recommended you use a sunscreen of at least an SPF 30, creams with skin whitening agents, and moisturizers with lightening agents.

The effects of oral supplements are slower, more subtle when compared with topical applications. As with any product, you need to be realistic concerning results. Expectations should be set and you should not expect to see any changes in a time period of two weeks.

A good recommendation to the holistic approach of good healthy skin is as follows:

* A balanced and healthy diet using all food groups along with the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.

* A happy, non stressful positive attitude. There is proof that skin conditions like acne and eczema are more prevalent when stressed.

* Don’t smoke and quit if you do smoke. Smoking causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of skin, staining of teeth and other discoloration.

* Minimize sun exposure as much as possible and use a good sunscreen when you are exposed to the sun.