New Year's Resolution: Healthy Skin Habits for 2012

Healthy skin habits in 10 easy steps.

Healthy Skin can be hard to come by if you don't set yourself up for success.  You can slather all the body butter and sugar scrub in the world all over your body, but if you don't take care of your skin on a regular basis, then you might as well be pouring those products right down the drain.

10 Easy Steps to Achieve Healthy Skin in 2012

1. Sleep

Healthy skin begins with a good night's rest.  If your body doesn't get enough sleep (six to eight hours for most of us), then it will not have the opportunity to take out the trash.  That's right, while you are counting sheep, your body is tossing out dead cells, repairing damages, and breathing life into the not-so-unrealistic term: Beauty Rest.

2. Eat

There are conflicting schools of thought as to whether or not chocolate causes pimples; however, there is no doubt about the fact that eliminating allergens from your diet will significantly improve your skin.  If you suspect a food allergy or sensitivity, you can make that determination through process of elimination.  It may take a few weeks but could greatly improve the health of your skin and your quality of life.

3. Drink

More water and less alcohol and caffeine. Your body needs water to function properly.  Pure, unadulterated (except for a little lemon) water.  If you pump it full of sodas, coffee drinks and wine, consider the amount of filtering your body needs to do to get to the water in those drinks.  If your body is busy filtering, how can it possibly have time to manufacture new, improved skin cells?

4. Exercise

The best way to oxygenate your blood and help your body be more productive is to breathe.  The best way to breathe more, and more deeply, is to exercise.  Move your body for 30 minutes everyday.  Dance, run up and down the stairs, Zumba, chase your dog down the block, whatever it takes to get more oxygen in your body and your blood pumping.

5. SPF

We all know the sun can be hard on our skin.  So, if you aren't using SPF on your face every morning, get with the program!  One of the easiest ways to incorporate SPF into your regular makeup routine is to use tinted moisturizer.  The tint will help even out your skin tone so you can look like you have healthy skin already!

6. Cleanse

This may be a no-brainer, but cleansing should be part of your morning and evening routine, like brushing your teeth.  However, don't be fooled into purchasing abrasive and harsh cleansers.  The skin on your face is soft and gentle, so should your wash.  For your body, Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Wash, made with certified organic shea butter, provides gentle cleansing and moisture your skin needs.

7. Exfoliate

Exfoliating the dead skin cells from your face is relatively easy: A soft washcloth should do the trick.  However, one of the best ways to exfoliate the rest of your body is with Tree Hut's Shea Sugar Scrubs. This natural sugar scrub is made with shea nut oil to work with your skin's natural moisture to hydrate and heal your skin.

8. Moisturize

Enough cannot be written about the importance of moisturizing your skin every morning and night.  This little, 10-second step does more for your skin's health than all the other steps combined. For your face, go with gentle, oil-free, fragrance-free moisture. For your body, Tree Hut Body Butter or Body Lotion provides intense moisture and will make your skin look healthy and feel fantastic.

9. Vitamins

Specifically C, E, A, B Complex and K.  Not to mention minerals and essential fatty acids.  Some of the chief benefits of vitamins in terms of skin health are reducing damages caused by free radicals from sun, smoke, and pollution. While a diet rich in fruits and vegetables typically provides enough of these vitamins, it is a good idea to take a supplement if you struggle to reach your daily goals through food.

10. Makeup

Here's the dirty little secret about makeup: You don't have to wear it everyday.  Give your skin a break once in a while.  Furthermore, when you do wear makeup, select a line that is rich in zinc and other skin-healthy minerals. Then, refer to step 6. Cleanse. Your face will thank you.