How To Get Smooth Skin

Going Natural - How to Get Smooth Skin

This month, we are focusing on how to get smooth skin, and all that goes into maintaining the largest human organ, skin. Included are natural ways to get rid of acne and reduce scar size and visibility, and some vitamins and minerals that can help to improve your overall skin health.

We've also included information on how to reduce blood pressure through massage and some of the best ways to treat water/fluid retention.

These two topics may seem a bit out of place amongst the others, at first, but, really, they all relate; retention can lead to unsightly scarring if left untreated, and high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of fluid retention.

We hope you enjoy, and manage to apply some of this information to your own life, so as to lead the happiest and healthiest existence possible!

How to get smooth skin #1: Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A

Promotes cellular turnover, keeping pores clear. Found most commonly in dairy products and fish oils.

Vitamin B

B2 Reduces stress. Found in leafy, green vegetables, milk, meat, eggs, whole grains and fish.

B3 Improves circulation, reduces cholesterol, helps metabolize protein, fat, and sugar. Found in peanuts, eggs, avocados.

Vitamin C

Aids in cellular repair, fights infections, boosts immunity. Found in most fruits and vegetables, and some animal products (calf liver, oysters, lamb brain, etc.)

Vitamin E

Helps the skin fight against free radicals, enhances tissue repair and healing. Found in peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and broccoli.

Zinc

Helps heal the skin, and prevents damage and scarring from free radicals. Found in eggs, whole grains, nuts, mushrooms.

How to get smooth skin #2: Acne

The body contains natural oils meant to keep skin and hair (located all over the body, as follicles) hydrated. Some people's skin, however, overproduces these oils, trapping bacteria.

As a result, white blood cells rush to these areas damaging the wall of the follicles. This results in a collection of the oils in the skin, which irritates, and leaves these areas red and inflamed.

Natural Acne Remedies

Tea Tree Oil

Contains a bacteria-killing constituent called terpinen-4-ol, which targets and kills Propionibacterium acnes, the skin-dwelling bacteria involved in acne.

Low Glycemic Load Diet

The glycemic load (GL) is a number that estimates how much a portion of food will raise the blood glucose level. Foods with a high GL include: candy, white rice/pasta, french fries, baked potatoes, pizza, raisins, dates.

Alternative foods, with low GLs are: beans, fruits, vegetables, high-fiber cereals, nuts, whole-grains. Reducing Dairy Intake

Milk contains androgens (natural/synthetic compound that stimulates and controls the development/maintenance of male characteristics) and growth hormones which can stimulate the growth of acne. Dairy-free substitutes to milk include: rice milk, soy milk, almond milk.

Herbs Dong Quai anti-acne benefits similar to erythromycin Vitex balances hormone levels Guggul benefits patients with particularly oily faces.

How to get smooth skin #3: Scar

Scar Remedies Vitamin E

Can penetrate the skin, layers deep, and reduce the formation of free radicals, which can interfere with healing. Influences the production of collagen, a protein responsible for the strength and elasticity of skin.

Onion Extract

Found to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Regulates the formation of collagen.

Topical Honey/Manuka Honey

Has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that could stimulate the growth of new tissue.

How to get smooth skin #4: Water Retention/Fluid Retention Remedies

1. Drink Plenty of Water

It seems counter-intuitive, but when your body is dehydrated, it stores the water that you do have in your system, keeping it on reserve for later. What ends up happening is that the areas of the body that store the water swell up, resulting in bloat.

2. Reduce Salt Intake

Too much salt leaves the body working harder to dilute it. This means that more water ends up flowing through the bloodstream, and surrounding the cells, which results in swelling in these areas.

3. Diuretic Foods

Diuretic foods help the flow of urine, which releases excess fluid, and flushes out toxins and chemicals that can be harmful to the body. Such foods include: grapes, lettuce, onion,

carrots, tomatoes, watermelon.

4. Dandelion Leaves Tea

Dandelion herb is an herb with many beneficial properties. It can be used to treat liver and kidney disorders, and also heartburn and digestive issues. It can be useful when treating water retention, though, in that it acts as a natural diuretic, and catalyzes that kidneys to increase their production of urine to flush out excess sodium in your body.

Massage Helps High Blood Pressure Some studies have shown that massage helps to calm the sympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for raising blood pressure in response to stressors.

Good To Read: Stress Management - Benefits of Massage

Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, and deep tissue massage have all been tested in relation to blood pressure, and results indicate that, with some regularity, blood pressure drops and blood circulation improves.

Similar stress-reducing activities that, when performed regularly and in conjunction with occasional massage, can help lower blood pressure are: yoga, meditation, tai-chi.