Capricorn & Leo

I don't write enough about skin care, considering that it is my line of work. So I thought I'd come up with a general guide that folks could follow. I always tell people that the key to a good skin care regimen is consistency. There's not just one miracle step or product to turn back the clock, but there are a lot of things you can do to look better now. In the interest of imparting a healthy glow to your skin, here's my "professional advice".

3 truisms: health is wealth, you are what you eat and beauty is as beauty does.

Sleep. Your body regenerates at rest and your skin has the opportunity to absord all those lotions and potions without having to fight off the sun and other environmental factors. So hit the hay. I need at least 9 hours to feel rested, but most "experts" say that 7-8 is good.

Drink. Drink water. Not juice, tea or wine. Well, you can drink those too, but not in place of water. Aim for 1/2 of your body weight in ounces. You may have to build up to it. Water helps flush out toxins. You know you're dehydrated if you feel thirsty.

Eat. I believe that an organic, whole foods diet is better than one filled with artificial dyes, flavors and fats. It's best to get your nutrition from food but I also take supplements. A good multi vitamin is a nice place to start. If you want to use others, get a blood test so you know what you need.

Exercise. It oxygenates your cells, helping them deliver fresh blood to all your body systems including your largest organ... the skin.

Exfoliate. Cell turnover slows as we age, making skin look dull and feel rough. Use a cleanser that contains an exfoliating agent like micro beads, an enzyme or something like salicylic acid. This can be daily, but remember it's not the kitchen sink. Scrub gently. You can also add a little baking soda to your regular cleanser once or twice a week to work on stubborn black heads. And those strips work, too. You can effect change on the size of your pores. As we age, they will enlarge and expand from having dirt, oil and debris accumulating in them.

Moisturize. Even if you're oily you still need hydration. You can find oil-free formulas and ingredients like sodium hyaluronate. Remember to treat your hands, neck and chest just like your face.

SPF. You can find it in lotions and makeup, so no excuses. Sun exposure leads to degradation of collagen which causes wrinkles and sagging as well as mottling of the skin.

Target. Know what ingredients are in your products and why. Antioxidants like vitamin C protect against the sun and brighten skin. Other great ingredients for anti-aging include green tea, pomegranate, reservatrol and superoxide dismutase. To boost collagen, look for ingredients like epidermal growth factor, peptides and retinol. To naturally fade brown spots, use ingredients like kojic acid and neem leaf.

Placebo? Supplements can contribute to a healthier you, and thus, healthier appearance, but check with your medical provider before you start pill poppin'.

Capricorn