"For $49.99 You Can Have Beautiful Skin for Life!"

Fifty dollars for a lifetime of ageless beauty is a bargain. If only attractive skin was that easy to not only obtain but also maintain. Here's the deal. Old wisdom still holds true. Henry Ward Beecher said, "Victories that are cheap are cheap. Only those worth having come as the result of hard fighting." Attractiveness does not come in a bottle, at least not the kind that lasts. And, fortunately, you do not have to fight for it in the literal sense.

However, gorgeous skin, whether it's brown, caramel, or fair in complexion, requires your effort and deliberatness to protect it. Certain habits nurture skin and others jeopardize the skin's health.

Don'ts

Don't smoke

• Smoking impairs the oxygen flow to tissue which can create dryness, wrinkles, and a dull complexion.

Limit your caffeine intake particularly sodas.

Don't sunburn.

• UV rays dry out the skin. The deeper the tan the deeper the moisture loss (Alfred Fornay, 11).

Avoid too much alcohol.

Petroleum jelly, cocoa butter and oil should not be used as moisturizers for your face.

• These products will only clog your pores and trap bacteria in the epidermis which could lead to acne.

Don't sleep in your make-up.

• Old make-up can irritate the skin or clog pores.

Avoid extremely cold rooms.

• See an article I wrote entitled, "The Enemy in the Air Conditioner."

Watch your weight.

• See an article I wrote entitled, "Beautiful Skin: The Answer is Inside You.

Do's

Exercise

• Exercise is simply good for every part of you: the skin, hair, and nails. Improved circulation helps the dermis push new fresh skin cells to the top and replace dead skin cells. This process is ongoing and gives the skin that natural glow indicative of healthy skin.

Drink plenty of water

• Hydration keeps the skin moist, flexible and elastic. Elasticity is another hallmark of youthful skin.

Eat a balanced diet

• Everything we consume finds its way into the circulatory system. The dermis relies on the circulatory system to supply it with nutrients, oxygen and water so it can do its job.

Follow a 5 step skin care routine daily:

• Cleanse
• Exfoliate
• Tone
• Moisturize
• Protect

If you could simply pay $49.99 for a lifetime of loveliness, I'd want to be the first person to sell you that product. However, since that simply is not likely and probably will never be available, I'm offering something even better: truth. Gorgeous skin requires a little time, a great deal of intention, and consistency. There simply is not a short cut around it.