Feeding your skin

Using products from Clearasil to care for your skin is only the first step to healthy skin. Your skin greatly benefits from surface treatments, yes, but it also needs a healthy diet that contains vitamin rich foods and plenty of water. Giving your skin excellent care from both the outside and in is the secret to great skin.

Water: Be sure you're getting your 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Water carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body that flush out toxins and keep the skin looking young and supple.

Fatty acids: Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential for keeping the skin firm and smooth. The body does not produce fatty acids and they must be derived from an outside food source. It's important you get these from foods like salmon, flaxseed oil, olive oil, seeds, and nuts.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants prevent and treat skin damage by helping reduce the harmful effects of excess sun exposure and pollution. Foods like blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, kidney beans, artichokes, prunes, and apples are an excellent source of antioxidants.

Vitamin A: This vitamin is important for healthy skin as it keeps the cells intact and thriving. Vitamin A also reduces the production of sebum, which can clog pores and cause spots. To get a healthy dose of Vitamin A eat plenty of yellow and orange squash, rock melon, papaya, carrots, spinach, liver, and fish liver oil.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is considered ?the glue that holds cells together'. It is important for producing and maintaining healthy collagen. It can be found from food sources like citrus fruits, cherries, peppers, broccoli, and sprouts.

Vitamin E: Healthy skin requires Vitamin E to retain moisture and prevent sun damage. Vitamin E oil can also be applied topically to heal scars and extremely dry skin patches. Vitamin E can be found in garlic, onions, nuts, and wheat germ.

B complex vitamins: These help heal dry or itchy skin and protect you from hair loss. You can find B complex vitamins in whole-grain cereals, nuts, eggs, milk, meats, fish, fruit, and leafy greens.

Zinc: A lack of zinc can lead to skin problems and the slow healing of wounds. This essential mineral can be found in pecans, pumpkinseeds, rye flour, oats, oysters, red meat, and whole-wheat grains.

Selenium: Selenium is known to reduce the risk of skin cancer for those who spend more time in the sun. It can be found in onions, wheat germ, and Brazil nuts.