For years, we have heard that healthy living can help you age well. Living a healthy life will lower your mortality across the entire lifespan, even if there is no impact on aging and age-related changes. It turns out that from the point of view of longevity, your healthy spirit and your healthy mind are equally (if not more) important as your healthy body.

When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells which, in turn, can lead to problems. So eat a healthy and varied diet and be sure to eat some tomatoes, brazil nuts, blueberries, fish, kiwi, and broccoli each week. Poor diet, an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and toxins in our environment can all dramatically increase the levels of free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants boost our immunity, make our muscles stronger, and keep our bones and skin healthy.

A healthy skin is determined by our life styles, and also by what we eat and drink. Skin that is healthy can also help you make sure that your entire health is much better as well. In addition to boosting yourself confidence, healthy skin is an indicator of a healthy body. Taking proper care of your skin can do more to enhance your ap­pearance than all the lotions and creams applied to cover up unhealthy skin, it can even help you avoid the rashes and other diseases which necessitate an expensive visit to a dermatologist.

Organic creams provide your skin with external nutrition that keeps it looking healthy and allows you to age gracefully. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty. So if you want to have a healthy skin, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, reduce stress, sleep well and eat healthy. Stay away from sodas or drinks with caffeine, which dry the skin, use a humidifier to increase the level of moisture in the air, treat your skin right in the winter months and youll have healthy glowing skin to put on show once summer arrives.

There is strong evidence that one of the adaptations resulting from exercise is a strengthening of the body's antioxidant defenses, particularly the glutathione system, to deal with the increased oxidative stress. Exercise your brain and body through challenging but fun activities that enhance your learning, visualization, creativity and speech. Proper use of nutrition, diet, herbs and supplements to boost your mental powers. Free your brain from stress, depression, downward spiral and negativity around your environment. Provide therapy information about harmful environmental and lifestyle inhibitors that could be preventing your system from reaching its maximum functions. Suggest natural vegan and organic products that truly works in your body system. Thinking about of what you can do about your aging process and discovering ways to maintain and reform your health and beauty is entirely up to you.

Do strength training exercise, especially with the large muscle groups (chest, back, and thigh) at least 3 times a week, 15 minutes each time to increase growth hormone secretion. While regular exercise can enhance our antioxidant defense system, excessive sporadic exercise can increase free radicals in our system. Thus, the "weekend warrior" who is predominantly sedentary during the week but engages in vigorous bouts of exercise during the weekend may be doing more harm than good.

Although regular exercise produces many positive health benefits, it also causes an increased production of free radicals. Free radicals are formed both during normal metabolism, and whenever the body is exposed to stresses such as pollutants in the air (cigarette smoke), food (Trans-fats), water (heavy metals), and even excessive exercise. Indeed, intense or prolonged exercise can cause radical-mediated injury to skeletal muscles, particularly in untrained individuals. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is strong interest in the effects of antioxidant supplements on exercise performance.

But when used properly, in combination with eating ahealthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health. Taking antioxidants such as vitamins C and E or beta-carotene, probably also improve recovery after exhaustive exercise.

Remember antiaging is a combination of several different antiaging treatments that should be balanced together to help keep your whole body healthy. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Natural Skin Care

Skin Types

Basically there are there types of skin textures: normal, oily and dry. Two other skin types are combination and sensitive skin.

Normal Skin

This type of skin is neither too oily, nor too dry. It is not oversensitive to wind, harsh sun­light, or cold. It does not have open pores, lines or acne. It has a smooth texture. It poses little prob­lems unless it has been neglected or abused.

Oily Skin

Generally people develop an oily skin in their teens. Overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands leads to an oily skin. People who have an oily skin should avoid oily food, starches and sugar. They need a rigid skin care regime and should remove every trace of make-up every night before going to bed. While bathing, mild exfoliates should be used.

Dry Skin

Normally associated with ageing, some people have a naturally dry skin. In this case too, the right nourishment can work wonders. Along with this you need to have a moisturising routine.

COMBINATION SKIN:

A combination of dry and oily types is known as combination skin or T-zone(to indicate the "T" of your forehead and nose where combination skin tends to be oilier.

SENSITIVE SKIN:

Sensitive skin usually describe any skin types which responds especially quickly and adversely to sudden changes of temperature or humidity and bruises very easily;it is also allergic to many cosmetic products.

Thus we see that all types of skin require care. The bath time is best for an overall skin caring rou­tine. Bath time should not be a mere spartan exercise of cleansing the body. It should also be a time to revitalize your body and skin. True, in today's rush and run lifestyle, a morning bath can at most be a quick cleansing routine that 'wakes' you up for the day ahead. However, you could devote some extra time at night before going to bed when you bathe again. Also, a weekly, leisurely, rejuvenating bath should become a routine. This is when you could attend to your skin, and deal with any problem.

Tiny body pimples caused by over secretion of the sebaceous glands are a result of poor circula­tion. Use a loofah or coarse mitt to scrub these away and renew your skin. A pumice stone should be used for your heels and other rough areas like elbows and knees. Normal wrinkling of the skin can be attended to while bathing. Rub some moisturizing cream or lotion before the bath. Massage well, and then wash away.

You would be surprised to know that your kitchen is a magical box that has all the ingredients to make you beautiful. Expensive creams and lotions are certainly not the answer to your beauty problems. Flowers, fruits, vegetables and other natural things can provide the answers to a lot of skincare problems. So let's start with something really exciting and unusual...but very simple.

How to identify you Skin Type

THE TISSUE TEST

Wash your face with a neutral (not made for a particular skin type) soap or cleanser (such as Neutrogena for normal skin).Rinse with water. Pat try with a towel just enough to absorb moisture do not rub. Wait one hour, and then blot your entire face with one ply (or layer) of a large facial tissue. Press lightly all over your face and leave for about one minute. Then remove the paper carefully and examine it near a window or a light. What do you see?

• If you see oil throughout the tissue, you most likely have oily skin.
• If you see oil only in the T-zone (across forehead, down nose and chin), you most likely have combination skin.
• If you see very little oil throughout, you most likely have normal skin.
• If you see no sign of oil at all, you most likely have dry skin.
• If your skin feels irritated or slightly itchy, you most likely have sensitive skin.

You’ll need to perform this test several times a year-during spring, summer and winter-because your skin changes with the seasons.

Natural Moisturisers

Well-moisturized skin is soft and supple, reflects a healthy glow and ages less quickly. Moisturisers give a smooth finish to make-up. Putting on a light moisturising cream will make make-up much easier to apply and reduce the risk of dragging the skin.

Always use a light moisturizer on your face after cleansing and shaving and don't forget your neck.

Make sure to apply extra moisturizer to dry skin areas and areas such as elbows and heels.

Lips are very delicate and can dry out easily. They need to be protected moisturized to maintain a plump, healthy appearance.

Too much moisturizer can lead to clogged pores and blackheads.

Some of the factors which cause dehydration are:

Cold weather.

Excessive make-up.

Constant sun exposure and air conditioning.

Excellent home made moisurisers are aloe vera gel and honey.

Herbal Remedies :

One of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage, Neem is often used to maintain healthy skin.The antibacterial and blood purifying properties of Neem are useful in skin disorders and keeps the skin healthy.

Home-made moisturiser:

Mix ¾ cup of rose water, ¼ cup glycerine, 1 tsp. of vinegar and ¼ tsp. of honey and keep it in a bottle. Use it regularly after cleansing.

Some more home-made moisturiser:

Mix honey, milk and any vegetable oil. This mixture is a good moisturiser for dry skin. Apply this mask for 10 minutes, then wash off with cold water.

Mix 1 medium sized apple (grated), one tablespoon lemon juice and 2tsp honey. Apply this paste to face and wait for10 minutes, and then wash off with tepid water. This mixture is a good moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin.

Lemon juice or orange juice blended with olive oil is a time-tested keep-it-supple skin moisturiser or moisturizer.

Peach moisturiser for normal or dry skin

In an electric blender, whir 1 chopped, peeled peach with ¼ cup almond oil, 3 tablespoon rose water, 4 drops of tincture of benzoin, and (if desired) a few drops of orange oil or other perfume. Strain and store in the refrigerator.

Glycerin and honey (Natural moisturiser for all skin)

In the proportions of 3 tablespoons glycerin to 1 teaspoon honey, is recommended by modern skin-care experts as a wear all day or leave on night moisturiser.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise can be massed into a clean, damp face and throat whenever skin is dehydrated from exposure to sun, wind, or winter cold. Mayonnaise is a good night moisturising cream.

Wheat germ and honey moisturiser

It takes less than five minutes to whisk up a month’s supply of this table, anti-aging moisturiser considered the equivalent of a world-famous beauty fluid.

3 tablespoons each honey and wheat germ oil

2 tablespoons each glycerin and rose water

Place all ingredients in a class bowl, whisk to combine, then store in a tightly capped bottle.

How to Get Youthful Skin

Skin is more than just a covering; it is a barometer that registers the state of our health and reveals the story of our lives. The decline and fall of our epidermis does not become apparent until we pass the 30-year milestone, but it actually begins at birth. Our "perfect" baby skin alters with puberty; undergoes more variations from hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause; then gradually becomes thinner, drier, and less supple as cell functions slow with age. Chronologically, we all grow old at the same rate. Visibly, we age at an individual pace—and it's never too early or late to start improving your skin. Acne attacks more boys than girls during the teenage years, but besets more women than men because oral contraceptives, menstruation, and menopause cause hormone levels to surge and wane.

Pregnancy profoundly affects the skin. For the first five months, increased estrogen production suppresses the natural skin-lubricating oils to make skin drier than normal. Use a mild, non detergent cleanser, a nourishing moisturizer during the day, and apply a rich night cream before retiring. During the latter half of pregnancy, an upswing of progesterone hormones may make skin oilier and more subject to blemishes. Cleanse your skin thoroughly, use an astringent toner, cut back on your moisturizing routine, and guard against the brown splotches of a pregnancy mask by applying a potent sunscreen before venturing forth in daylight.

While waiting for the fountain of perpetual youth to be discovered, you can prolong a youthful appearance if you:

• Incorporate more moisturizing in your daily-care routine to compensate for the reduced activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, which causes gradual drying and thinning of the skin.
• To prevent photo aging by applying a sunscreen and sunning safely.
• Exercise regularly to maintain the blood circulation essential for bringing nourishment to the dermal vessels and for carrying off wastes from the skin.
• Deliberately relax away tension to help prevent "expression lines" in your face and other stress-related skin problems.
• Get sufficient sleep so your skin can receive its fresh supplies of oxygen and nutrients.
• Keep your weight fairly constant to avoid the saggy wrinkles that can develop stretched marks.
• Eat a well-balanced diet to help maintain and rebuild the supportive tissues, and to preserve the visible surface.
• Drink water at least 8 glasses a day.

Five steps for perfect skin- (Home facials like salon)

This treatment takes about 45 minutes and, for best results, should be done atleast once or twice a month. This one is simple, inexpensive treatment, you can be assured of healthier, glowing skin within two or three months.

Step1: Cleansing

Good cleansing removes the impurities, bacteria and dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the epidermis as well as any residue from makeup, while leaving as much of the lubricating natural oil(or sebum) as possible. A cleanser should therefore be gentle and natural. Use a non-lathering cleansing. Massage in circular movements over the face and neck. Leave on for 1-2 minutes to dissolve grime and old make-up. Then gently wipe off with cotton swabs. Rinse off with warm water. Once in a while, or on a more regular basis for those with oily skin, a clay or fruit or oat-based cleansing mask used for a deeper cleansing action.

Step 2: Herbal facial steam

One traditional and very simple way to deep clean the skin is to steam your face for a few minutes. Steaming removes dirt and pollution very efficiently from the skin, but it removes important natural oils as well. So, although the technique brings excellent results on an oily skin or anyone suffering from acne, most skin types must bear in mind that in the long term it has a drying effect.

Steaming should therefore be used very occasionally on a dry or aging skin (once in a month is the maximum) and never for more than 2-3 minutes. On a oily skin, it can be done once a week, and for 5-8 minutes. For a combination skin, 2-3 minutes once a week is recommended maximum. A normal skin will benefit form an occasional steaming (every two weeks) as long as the exposure to steam is not prolonged (5 minutes maximum). It is not recommended for extremely sensitive skins.

Select an herbal facial steam that’s best for your skin type.

Bring the dry herbs (lavender, chamomile, lemon grass, rosemary, etc.) to a boil in a large pot of water. Remove from heat source; steam for 5 minutes. A facial steam is the best possible way for deep pore cleansing, and each of the herbs used in rich in nutrients that nourish and tone the skin. Immediately after your facial steam, rinse your face with cold water.

Step 3: Facials

Facials are excellent for stimulating circulation to the skin. It brings fresh blood to the skin. They promote deep pore cleansing and help heal blemishes and acne. Facials also help tone and firm the skin.

They are several kinds of facials available. You can try some homemade facial masks (clay mask, honey mask, egg mask, oats mask, fruits and vegetables mask, etc) to get a beautiful skin.

Step 4: Tonic astringents

When the facial is completely dry, rinse off with warm water. Be gentle to your skin while rinsing of the facial material. Use soft, circular motions. Massage your skin; do not scrub it. Immediately after rinsing the facial, apply an astringent preparation to tone and close the pores.

Step 5: Moisturiser

Dot the skin with moisturiser and gently massage it in smooth circular movements. Try to do this slowly as it allows you to massage the skin and relax yourself. Apply vitamin E oil or, a small amount of eye cream around the eyes and gently pat it in with your finger. The tapping action helps relieve puffy eyelids and also stimulates the acupressure points around the eyes.