10 New Year Resolutions For Healthy Skin

After the Christmas excesses this is the time to take care of ourselves, especially the skin. We give ten simple tips for a healthy, glowing skin for a great start of 2013.

1. Cut down on sugar, replacing it with a natural substitute like xylitol. Sugar is responsible of glycation a process that "burns" your collagen out
2. Take a good omega 3 oil supplements, essential for strengthening and protecting the skin barrier and great for the brain too.
3. Exfoliate your skin regularly, i.e. once a week. Dead skin cells are like dead leaves interfering with your skin and making it look dull.
4. Compensate the drying effects of central heating by using a good facial oil at night
5. Cleanse your skin regularly to keep the skin in its optimal.  We shed 3-4 grams of skin each day, plus all the dirt and grime of the atmosphere - the skin is a living organ, it needs to breathe!
6. Protect your skin from free radicals and oxidation by using a product with good antioxidants, there are a few good ones on the market that have proven antioxidant activity; such as my own Forest Secrets iRejuvenate Plus Elixir.
7. Stay away from dermal fillers and "freezing" face procedures. You are better off with a Facial fitness regime - like Face Yoga - to tone your face muscles
8. Avoid skin products that use petrolatum and silicones, they create a film that suffocates your skin. Always read the ingredients list.
9. Detox your skin with a good herbal supplement. I love Burdock root for this.
10. Smile! It exercises more face muscles than frowning, and it stimulates endorphin productions - the feel good hormone!
11. Dr Barbara Olioso is a professional chemist with 13 years experience on natural and organic skincare products. She is passionate about the planet, she writes on trade magazines, teaches and speaks at international conferences on achieving sustainability in natural and organic cosmetics. She has developed her own cosmetic range, called Forest Secrets, Potent and Pure Skincare. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists: http://www.forestsecretsskincare.com/