We all want healthy skin, especially in the summertime, when more of it is exposed. According to the many advertisements we hear and see, healthy skin comes at a high price, in a fancy bottle, and you often require a different bottle for every skin problem. And, if you've ever checked the ingredient lists of most skin care products, if the ingredients are listed that is, you'll see many harsh chemicals that are harmful for skin.

Reducing wrinkles, slowing the effects of aging, and producing a healthy glow, need not be expensive, complicated or dangerous. The best way to have spectacular skin is also the cheapest and safest way-naturally.

From the inside out
The skin is an organ that aids in elimination. If your skin is pale, loose, dry, spotty, or tired-looking, a change in lifestyle is likely the solution. Such changes may need to involve increasing nutrition, decreasing dietary toxins, sufficient exercise and sleep, quitting smoking, reducing stress, cutting down on alcohol consumption, finding a balanced lifestyle through time management, yoga, or meditation, or all of the above.

If your detoxification organs, such as your liver and gallbladder, are overloaded, your skin has to pick up the extra work. Rashes, acne, dry or greasy skin, spots or the like may result as your skin tries to eliminate toxins from the body. All of the most expensive miracle creams in the world are useless if the skin is deficient in oxygen and all of the other nutrients it needs to be truly healthy. Making lifestyle changes, replacing poor habits with good ones, will change your skin from the inside out.

From the outside in
Your skin needs careful cleaning on a regular basis, as well as moisture, fat, and oxygen. Externally applied products, when carefully chosen, can give our skin protection against cold, sunlight, dryness, and dust particles. They assist the skin's bodyguard abilities by helping to fight off the multitude of influences, or attacks, from the environment.

To benefit from the healing effects of herbs, look for some of the following ingredients and be sure find out if they are of high quality. You may question the person selling the cream, talk to the manufacturer, and check the price-when compared to other natural creams of it type, a cheaper price will usually deliver cheaper ingredients. Higher quality creams save money in the long run, however, because they work and you usually require less of them for each application.

Aloe vera is a plant that offers a healing gel or juice. When used externally, it's often helpful for easing pain and inflammation, burns and eczema. This medicinal plant may also be useful for promoting health of sensitive skin.

Chickweed is a favourite herb of the Native Americans. This herb is high in vitamin C and calcium, two nutrients that are essential for skin health. It may be effective for reducing swelling, redness in the face, healing scabs, relief of hemorrhoids, burns, and broken skin, as well as for maintaining healthy skin.

Comfrey leaves and roots contain allantoin, a naturally-occurring substance that promotes tissue growth. Comfrey in a cream is soothing and may be useful for inflamed skin, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. It's traditionally been used to treat wounds and ulcers as well.

Devil's claw has been used in folk medicine as a natural pain reliever for a variety of ailments, including arthritis. Since it is an effective anti-inflammatory, it is helpful is soothing skin and enhancing appearance and
health.

Rosa mosqueta is a rosehip oil that revitalizes and helps to improve skin health. It may help to reduce skin wrinkles and also may be useful for healing scars and other traumas.

Klaus Ferlow, life-long herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher and writer, is the founder and co-owner of Ferlow Botanicails, a Canadian owned and operated family business manufacturing and distributing toxin-free natural medicinal herbal and personal care products since 1993 in Vancouver.

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