Using Water to Get Glowing, Vibrant Skin

I've mentioned your skin's need for water before, but it's such an important topic that it deserves a section all its own.

We sometimes forget our skin -- until something goes wrong! Your skin is the largest organ of your body. The skin protects us from infections, guards us against harmful effects of the sun's rays, and helps to regulate our body temperature.

But what most of us think about with the skin is how it looks. All of us have seen those with unhealthy skin or complexions. Their skin has a sallow look, pasty, or drawn. It's not a pretty sight.

And, of course, what the skin needs is moisture. When the body is inadequately hydrated, there's not enough moisture in the skin tissues, and that can contribute to the drawn and haggard look so many have.

The skin also needs hydration to clean the body of toxins. Your body is constantly in contact with things that are not good for us. Those things can come from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and things we come into contact with by touching. (And in some places in the world -- thankfully not usually in North America! -- even water itself can bring in those toxins).

The simplest way the body gets rid of toxins is through washing. Washing your hands is probably the very best thing you can do to prevent infections, whether your own or someone else's. Bathing or showering (and shampooing) also get rid of toxic materials our bodies don't need.

But the cleaning works internally, too. Water courses through your body, a never-ending stream flushing out harmful substances. And if there's not enough of that water, your body itself can become polluted, something like a river in a time of drought, when there's just not enough water to clean out all the junk.

Your body can operate like that, too. Because there's not enough fluid to clean out the toxins, they accumulate in the body's tissues. The whole body can start to act sluggish, but the place where we see it first is in our skin. And while we are quick to put on lotions and skin treatments, the primary and most important "skin treatment" you can use comes in a glass -- and it's available from the tap!

Again, the most important means of taking care of your skin is our regular, 20 glasses a day water plan. Keep drinking on a regular basis. You will find that it becomes a wonderful habit very quickly, and you come to miss it if you're separated from a water source for very long.

Prevention is of first importance, but if you find you've been exposed to something toxic (such as secondhand smoke), first wipe your face with cool (not cold) tap water, and then drink a couple of glasses of water right away. You want to give your body a chance to get rid of the toxins right away, and there's no better way than water.

You may also notice times when your skin looks drawn or haggard, even when you're drinking enough (or at least think you are!) In most of these cases, what has happened is that you have become busy or pre-occupied, and haven't been drinking enough. Whatever the reason, start pumping the water right away. You will even find that water will help you to look better if you've temporarily not had enough sleep. If you have to miss a few hour's sleep (or even a whole night) really load up on the water. It will make you feel better and look better until you can catch up on sleep.

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

---

Skin Care - Learn the Basics

Skin types are unique and react in different ways to... Read More

Rhinoplasty Before and After - Surgery and Recovery

Now that you have made the decision to undergo rhinoplasty... Read More

Chemical Peels: Phenol, Carbolic Acid, TCA, Alphahydroxy, Beta Hydroxy

Chemical peeling is a process whereby the skin (usually of... Read More

Color Toric Contacts - Good News for People with Astigmatism

If you have an astigmatism it doesn't mean that you... Read More

Tanning Bed Safety

The facts about tanning bed safety are some what convoluted.... Read More

Contact Lens Chaos with Colorful Eyes

If you have teenagers, then you will encounter this end-of-the-world... Read More

Hyaluronic Acid Injections Increase Visibility with Supermodel Spokesperson

Hyaluronic acid products are poised to continue their fast growth,... Read More

Look Younger Now!:

While we have made significant progress in our understanding of... Read More

The Facts about Rhinoplasty Nasal Surgery

Rhinoplasty is a surgery to reshape the nose. This is... Read More

Understanding The Dangers Of Tanning Beds

When it comes to getting a tan in a tanning... Read More

Cosmetic Chin Surgery - The Final Facial Touch

When either cosmetic or plastic surgery are mentioned to us,... Read More

Cosmetic Surgery ? Vanity or Healthy Choice?

Cosmetic and plastic surgery has long been associated with vanity,... Read More

Gray Hair Remedy: Is there Such a Thing?

None of us want to go Gray but we have... Read More

Tummy Tuck ? Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

A tummy tuck cosmetic surgery procedure will take about two... Read More

Tips on Choosing the Best Skin Care Product for You

Your face is the first thing that people notice when... Read More

All About Plastic Surgery

The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as... Read More

Effective Make-up and Beauty Tips: Dos and Donts, Avoid These Most Common Mistakes!

With the amount of importance given to make-up these days,... Read More

Color Contact Lenses for Light Eyes - What Works Best?

You may ask why a person with naturally blue or... Read More

Should I Have A Face Lift?

Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery... Read More

Wrinkle Buster In Your Kitchen

Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on on our need to... Read More

Lip Magic: Tips for Lips

As we get older our lips get smaller and thinner... Read More

Dry Skin - Causes and Solutions For Great Looking and Feeling Skin

Dry skin, also referred to as xerosis or eczema or... Read More

5 Cheap Tanning Lotion Tips For Summer

With summer approaching, it's time to pull out the tanning... Read More

Effects of Tanning Beds - Is it a Boon or a Bane?

Tanning beds - a boon or a bane? That is... Read More

Unpowered Color Contacts - An Optical Illusion

Gone are the days when contact lenses were the domain... Read More

An Introduction to Rhinoplasty

Nasal surgery (Rhinoplasty Surgery), the most common form of plastic... Read More

The Attraction of Pigtails

Very young girls wear their hair in pigtails because their... Read More

The Threadlift Facelift is Here

Many people in their middle years become depressed about their... Read More

Beauty Secrets

How many times have you looked at yourself in the... Read More

What is the Best Treatment for Grey Hair

When your hair goes grey it is due to the... Read More

Beauty Consultant on Skin Care Basics

If you're like many women you are confused about how... Read More

Natural Anti Aging Formula to drive you Nuts!

The beauty world is going nuts this season. From coconut... Read More

Permanent Cosmetics

What is Permanent Makeup?Permanent makeup is a state-of-the-art form of... Read More