Maintenance is Key to Beautiful and Healthy Skin

My motto for anyone who is interested in bettering themselves is simple and straight forward - it is easier to maintain than it is to start over. No matter what you are doing it is much easier to keep doing, or change a small part of what you are doing, than it is to start over from the beginning. Exercise is a great example of this - a person who was on the cross country team in high school will not find themselves in better health in their 40's if they don't continue to run. However, if they keep running - at least 3 times a week - all their life their health will remain constantly good with very few problems except those due directly to the running. Even if they don't run as much at least they kept moving!

When it comes to beauty I make two rules - maintain, and stick to it. While at first these seem to be the same thing they are not quite. Maintain means that once you find a routine that works for your body and your skin be sure to keep up with it, don't stop for anything if possible. You need to have a backup plan in case you run out of your normal products and cannot get more immediately - this is part of your lifestyle and you need to maintain it to keep your look. Stick to it means that for that first month, when you are starting a new routine, DO NOT make ANY excuse to stop. I don't care if your feet hurt from running, unless a doctor has said stop you don't stop - get some new shoes and keep going.

Being an AVON representative it is my job to know about skin and how to care for your skin. For those of you on very limited budgets the two most important products are a daytime cream with at least SPF 15 - SPF 25 for high altitudes like Colorado, Wyoming, etc. Then you need a high moisturizing night cream to help your skin repair itself while you sleep. Any kind of lotions will do, but if you have acne problems you especially want to use oil-free lotions specifically for face. If you have dry skin then you may need to put on two coats of lotion at night and try to keep out of direct sunlight and chlorine water which makes your skin even drier. You want to test out your lotions to ensure they are right for your specific skin types, if you talk to an AVON representative she will be happy to help you find the right combinations for you.

When playing in swimming pools I recommend covering your skin in tanning oil. Your skin will absorb most of it and the pool's showers will rinse off the rest so you don't cause problems in the pool. If you are at home make sure you rinse off in a hose or shower before getting into your pool. The oil prevents your skin from absorbing as much of the chlorine which is caustic to your skin. Wash off with a moisturizing soap after any swim or water activity to further ensure the chlorine cannot ruin your skin.

Finally, exercise does help your skin to keep younger and keep it's elasticity. Elasticity is lost over years and allows wrinkles to become permanent - hence why laugh lines and crows feet are the first to appear - where your mouth and eyes crinkle on a daily basis. Exercising helps rid your body of toxins that attack the collagen that keeps your skin healthy, young, and resilient. To further enhance your exercise make sure to take a shower with a moisturizing soap immediately after, then eat protein and about 15 grams of carbohydrates (a slice of bread with some turkey or chicken is perfect!) and drink a full glass of water in addition to what you drink during exercise. This keeps your body nourished and helps your blood and kidneys collect and expel those toxins that keep you feeling fatigued and destroy your skin.

If your skin is healthy you will find less need for "cover up" makeup and emergency fixes like preparation H under your eyes to remove circles. It works, but wouldn't it be nicer if you didn't need it at all? Remember to stick to it and maintain. Talk to your local AVON rep (or drop me a line, I'm very happy to talk to you!) about a skincare regimen to help you repair and maintain your own skin concerns. Once you have found a routine that fits your budget, schedule, and concerns you can easily maintain and keep that beautiful, healthy skin for life!