HEALTHY SKIN

If you have healthy skin, you can be sure that everyone who walks past you will be looking at you in admiration.

Healthy skin also offers better protection against the sun and other substances from entering your body. It's your body's outer defense shield, so take good care of it.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS 'SKIN FOOD'?

You don't need tons of lotions or cosmetics to have great skin. Food has plenty of natural, skin-friendly nutrients. But you should get these nutrients from eating a well-balanced diet, not from squeezing them on your skin.

Skin-Friendly Nutrients For skin that glows, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables and fruits, cereals, legumes, meat and seafood that contain vitamins A, C and B6, and zinc.

COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS

"Aargh! A pimple!"

Pimples and acne are common skin problems, caused by hormones during puberty. These problems are usually not serious, but you can get medical treatment if you're worried.

Skin problems could get worse if you're not eating a well-balanced diet. For example, if you don't eat enough fruits and vegetables that contain important vitamins and minerals, you might get skin inflammation or other skin disorders.

PROPER CARE & TREATMENT

Simple steps to care for your skin:

• Wash your face twice a day with lukewarm water, a mild soap and then pat dry.
• Protect your skin from the sun with protective clothing or sunscreen lotion. Too much of the sun's UV rays can cause skin cancer.
• Do NOT pop, squeeze or pick your pimple or acne. This spreads the inflammation and damages the delicate tissues under the skin.
• Don't smoke. It makes your skin pale, wrinkly and slows its ability to heal.

If you have a skin problem, or want to know more about proper skin care, you should see a dermatologist (a doctor who specialises in skin care).

Skin Stories   Myth #1: Pimples are caused by eating chocolate and sweets. True/False? False. Scientists say that chocolate or sweets have nothing to do with pimples or acne. So stick to a well-balanced diet and seek a dermatologist for your acne problem instead.     Myth #2: Eating oily food causes pimple breakouts. True/False? False. There is no reason to believe that oily foods like fast food, pizza, french fries, nuts or potato chips can cause pimples, or make it worse.     Myth #3: Eating skin supplements can make my skin healthy. True/False? There is no scientific research to prove that 'skin supplements or vitamins' can miraculously give you great skin or cure your skin problems. Just eat healthy, nutritious and regular meals to get all the nutrients your body needs.     Myth #4: Putting food on my skin, such as cucumbers, egg white or aloe vera juice, can make my skin look great. True/False? Nutrients in food don't work on your body (or your skin, for that matter) so simply. But take it from us - the best way to benefit from food is by eating it.

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