How Well Do You Know Your Skin?

Hey Blog Buddies!

Well, on this addition of All Things Lauren, I thought of writing about a topic that any woman or man could really relate/talk/blog/write/discuss about...and TA DA....it is your SKIN!!  How well do you know it? Do you feed it the right STUFF?<---which I will talk about in a sec...Have you EVER been to the Dermatologist? Can you literally point to marks, spots, pimples, freckles, etc WITHOUT looking directly in the Mirror?  These questions are obviously ones that I made up JUST for you, but getting to know your skin takes time & experience, both of which I have done. If you answered NO to just one of the above questions, than maybe it's time to give your skin some TLC!!

First, I am not a dermatologist, BUT I have learned about my skin from 25 Years of living, making healthy choices as far as food & skin care, not over doing it at the Spa OR Exfoliating the HECK out of it, Taking Vitamins, Etc.  Plus, EVERY person's skin is different, so what has worked for me...may not for you, but I will give you some insight & tips that could help you regardless of your skin type AND I guarantee you will notice a difference...HECK I DID!!

Drink More Water
-About three years ago, I noticed that my skin was starting to look pale, it was dry & dull. I realized that I was only drinking MAYBE 32-40oz per day, which I thought was ALOT...but I am active and at the time I was in College so I LOVED my coffee and water was NOT my drink of choice. So I started drinking 100-150 ounces/day and within a week...I noticed a HUGE difference!!  I am sure you are thinking 100 OUNCES...that may be too much...but for someone who is on-the-go, active, and besides coffee, is the only thing you drink, 100oz. is JUST enough:)  So experiment and see what works for you...the first week or so, you may be in the bathroom a lot, but your body will adjust and your kidneys will thank you:)

Find a Good Moisturizer
-I have always been real good about applying facial moisturizer and I have my late grandmother to thank for that.  There are SO many out there and that is why it is really good to know your skin type SO that you can search for the perfect one!  I LOVE AVEENO! I have tried all the expensive stuff out there and Aveeno Facial Moisturizer is what I use & I also use the Cleanser too.  The brand is really good for Normal to sensitive skin and it fits me:) So do your research people & Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize...I do...about 2-3 times per day!!  Here is a quiz I found from Fitness Magazine to determine your skin type & what regimen you should use:

Quiz: What's Your Skin Type?

I took the Quiz & it was surprisingly accurate:)

Food&Vitamins
-Your skin is the largest organ in the human body and so obviously you MUST feed it what it needs.  We talked about water, which is extremely important, but vitamins & food intake also play a role! Check out: Vitamins for Skin & Food for Skin for more details on how you should be feeding it!!  I eat plenty of Organic fruits & veggies, wheat free/gluten free everything it seems like, and I take the vitamins recommended for me:) Everyone is different and we all have different needs...so...evaluate yourself with the above info/quizzes/articles to see where you may be in regards to skin care.

Say No to Baking
-STOP TANNING IN THE BED!!!! This is SO bad for your skin...I tanned for an entire year in College and I wish I hadn't.  Also, laying out for 15 minutes per day is probably okay...you need the Vitamin D, but I wouldn't recommend anything over that...just my opinion. I was going to share an article about tanning/sunbathing with ya'll, but you may not like what you read, SO just google or take my advice:) Hee!

My blog today is based off personal experience...Obviously, but my whole point is to "hopefully" make you more aware as to how you are taking care of your skin and what you are feeding it!!  I get asked ALL the time: What do you do Lauren? How do you keep your skin looking so good? Well, here's how:) So take the quiz, feed your beautiful skin with what it needs and watch it glow!!!

XOXO,

L