Are you unhappy with your skin? Whether you have acne, eczema, rosacea, ageing or pigmentation problems, try these simple diet and lifestyle tips. They're surprisingly effective. By Polly Molesworth.

Poor skin quality really can be crippling for some people, especially teens and females. Many are put on medications, the contraceptive pill, or recommended harsh beauty treatments, with varying results. I would really urge you to look into the side effects of any medicines prescribed to you before taking them - you can never be too informed. Whether it is acne, eczema, rosacea, ageing or pigmentation problems, I would highly recommend trying the following diet and lifestyle tips first, as my experience shows these are highly effective.

1. Drink Plenty of Water. The recommendation is 1.5-2 litres per day. Hydration is an important part of healthy skin, and moisturising products are only part of the story. Drink up and see the effects quickly.
2. Focus your Diet on Fruit, Vegetables, Protein and Good Fats. High in skin-improving vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids - these foods are the building blocks for your skin.
3. Limit Sugar, Wheat and Dairy. Enemies of the skin! Reduce or eliminate these from your diet and see the effects within a few weeks. If these are currently a large part of your diet, don't be surprised if your skin gets worse before it gets better, as eliminating these may help you detoxify a little, and those toxins will need to escape somehow!
4. Protect your Skin from the Sun. There is nothing more damaging than the sun. We need a little each day for Vitamin D, but excessive amounts cause well known health problems as well as skin damage. A natural sunscreen either in or under your daily moisturiser will protect you, but please reapply after being in the water.
5. Have a Routine. This may not be appealing to everyone, but having a skincare routine in the morning and at night can really improve skin quality. I like to cleanse, tone and moisturise daily and use exfoliating products and masks once or twice a week.
6. Use Natural Skincare, Hair Care, Soaps and Mineral Makeups. Even the most gentle chemical products can cause skin problems in sensitive people. As you run out of your products, try replacing them with natural products. Many people say to me "but I've been using this all my life," but this doesn't mean that it isn't now reacting with your skin.
7. Try Dry Skin Brushing. A fabulous way to improve circulation and get lymphatic fluid moving. Use a dry, hard bristled brush and move in a circular motion up the legs, over the body and up your arms towards your heart. A great exfoliation, but so much more!
8. Vitamins A, C, E, Zinc, Silica, Antioxidants. Great nutrients for strengthening and improving skin but please speak with your practitioner to see if these are appropriate for you.
9. Detox for Problem Skin. Problem skin is often stemming from the insides and detoxification is strongly indicated. However, it is important to see a practitioner for a safe, effective and individualised approach.
10. Love yourself! Nobody sees you as closely as when you stare at yourself in the mirror. Small imperfections are often assumed to be the end of the world, but please remember- most people are too busy worrying about their own pimples to look at yours!

©2011 Polly Molesworth. All rights reserved. Published with permission on 19-Nov-11.

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