Get Fresh

Get Fresh

Contrary to what you’ve been told, junk food isn’t the only cause of acne. Stress, exhaustion, diet, hormonal changes and pollution are also culprits. That said, adopting a healthy lifestyle and a good daily cleansing regimen will ensure your skin looks its absolute best.

By Toni-Marie Ippolito

Beauty from within

Glowing skin can be yours in days, and you don’t have to spend a fortune on products. All you have to do is eat the foods your body needs to look its best. Foods that contain Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are key to making your skin radiate. EFAs come in two classes: Omega-3 and Omega-6, and it’s the former that has the most effect on your skin and hair condition. Since our bodies cannot make EFAs naturally, we have to get them from our food. Ideally, they should account for 15 per cent of our caloric intake. Here are some top, kick-butt foodie items to incorporate into your diet to get your face looking fit and fantastic:

• Almonds
• Garlic
• Grapeseed Oil
• Hummus
• Kiwi
• Oily fish such as sardines, tuna and salmon

Exercise is a stress buster

Stress is the major cause of breakouts. Exercise is a fabulous stress reliever and a regular cardio regimen will make tired, dull skin glow. Try adding at least 30 minutes of cardio three days a week. On special occasions when your skin needs an extra boost, get in a great workout or brisk walk to help give you rosy cheeks and a radiant complexion.

Cleanse right for perfect and kissable skin

We’re almost sure you have a daily face-wash regimen. But take extra care and notice of your skin weeks before your big Prom night. Make sure you’re using a cleanser that’s right for your skin type (oily, normal, normal to dry)
to get the best results. To ensure you won’t break out try using a cleanser/scrub with blemish-fighting action.

Go for the deep clean

Start using a mask weeks before any big night out. Apply it one to two times per week to your entire face, gently, avoiding your eyes and lips. Your face will feel fresh, clean and toned.
• With its sweet almond meal that exfoliates and honey and Vitamin E to make your skin silkly soft, Benefit’s “Honey…snap out of it!” morning cleanser will leave your skin feeling immediately refreshed. $31.
• New Clean & Clear Warming Scrub cleanses deep down into pores. $9.99.
• With apricot extracts and gentle microbeads, St. Ives Apricot Radiance Blemish-Fighting Face Wash deep cleans and helps fight breakouts. $5.49–$5.99.
• Two of Lush’s powerful and natural blemish-preventing masks will make you look and feel like a star. Best-seller “Cupcake” is a tingling chocolate face mask that prevents spots and “Cosmetic Warrior” has the power to soothe your skin with green grapes and honey. $7.65–$9.95.

Calling all Zit Busters!

Keep these handy products close in case of a break- out emergency.
• Dr. Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick contains ten effective herbal ingredients including willow bark, tea tree oil and calendula, which has an anti-inflammatory effect to zap your zits. $15.
• Garnier Pure SOS Anti-Blemish Spot Pen contains zinc for its controlling properties, an anti-bacterial agent for its cleansing power. $7.99.
• Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment with cinnamon extracts works wonders to reduce blemishes. $9.99.
• Wow! Neutrogena Rapid Clear Spot Gel for Acne-Prone skin provides visible results in 8 hours. $8.99.