It’s that time of year again. The kids have headed back to school, many with a renewed sense of commitment to the basics. A good breakfast, front row seat in Algebra class and doing homework right after school are all practices that help encourage strong performance in school. Developing good habits early in the year is much easier than playing catch-up when grades get out of control.

The same principal applies to skin and hair care. Keeping the following three basics in mind can help minimize the chance of your skin being plagued by out-of-control acne or your hair falling limp and lifeless. As usual, none of the tips here require a great deal of time or financial investment. The hardest part is simply developing each as a habit.

Eat Right
That good breakfast won’t just help you ace your history test or that presentation with the boss’s boss’s boss. The age-old edict “eat healthy and drink lots of water” is so simple, and yet we manage to have trouble with it. A healthy diet (read: stay away from the saturated fat and sugar!) truly helps keep your skin clear. Staying hydrated helps with skin texture. Pull this list out and take it with you on your next shopping trip. Even adding one extra piece of fruit and one extra liter of water a day will make a tremendous difference in the texture and appearance of your skin.

Healthy Skin Shopping List
Asparagus or onions: These veggies have a high sulfur content which helps to keep skin youthful looking.
Bananas, lemons or grapefruit: Yellow fruits contain beta-carotene, an essential ingredient for tissue regeneration.
High-fiber choices: Whole wheat instead of white bread, spinach instead of iceberg lettuce. Choosing foods high in fiber is the smartest “diet trick” of all. Not only do they keep you full, but they facilitate detoxification in a way nothing else can. My husband and I both get on our “Eat high-fiber!” soapbox, perhaps more than we should, but it’s only because this is the easiest (and most flavorful) way to stay healthy.
Good water: Make sure you get your water from a trusted source. Chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals often make it into public water supplies. My philosophy is, if I wouldn’t eat it spread on a cracker, I’m not going to drink it. Aim for at least two liters of clean water a day (unless it’s hot or you’re exercising — then make it three).

Cleanse Properly
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is usually found in shampoo and is responsible for all the foam that helps to get rid of oily hair. It also gets rid of oil and grease by making its way into engine degreasers, car wash solutions, and garage floor cleaners. The abrasive quality of some facial scrubs can be on par with that of a straw broom if used improperly. Keep the following things in mind when searching for and using any personal care product.
Ingredient List – Really take some time to check the label. Can you pronounce all of the ingredients? Some? None? Skin and hair both absorb much of what is in the environment and many outside chemicals circulate in the body for several days. Again, the “If you wouldn’t eat it spread on a cracker…” rule applies.

What’s the problem? – Identifying the real cause of any skin or hair care problem needs to be done before anything else. An abrasive skin cleanser won’t help with severe acne, as you can’t just “scrub” it away. Conditioner galore won’t help repair breakage that occurs when you comb through soaking wet hair. Often, shelling out big bucks for a brand new moisturizer is unnecessary; perhaps all that’s needed is an extra glass of water a day. Identifying the cause of a problem before you make it to the skincare aisle is a good idea. It can be hard to remember the “Cracker Rule” when tempted by so many quick-fix products.

Get Regular, Stay Regular – Once you find a routine that works for you, stick with it. Follow it every day. Missing a week of Algebra class leaves kids playing catch-up for a long time, perhaps longer than the time missed. The catch-up is always harder than just doing it the first time, so make regular cleansing a priority.

Have Fun
Be regular, but don’t be stagnant! Everyone needs a “field trip” once in a while. Over-experimenting with products can wreak havoc on your skin, but a mask once a week can leave you looking and feeling refreshed. Deep conditioner every day will leave your hair looking as oily as that garage floor, but a treatment every few weeks will leave you shiny and healthy. Nothing will show up on your face faster than being miserable, so make sure to have some fun...even if it means ditching that cracker and having a cookie once in a while.

Emily Ray, based in Atlanta, GA, has been creating natural beauty products for six years, and she is a regular contributor to New Life Journal. To ask her a question, email askemily@newlifejournal.com.

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