One of the things I’m really grateful for is great skin. Growing up, I was the only girl on the block who didn’t have to worry about acne even as all the kids my age were frantically searching for ways to clear those ugly zits off their faces. To this day, I don’t know what a pimple feels like, and for this alone, I’m the envy of all my friends. What they don’t know is that there’s a downside to having skin that’s naturally dry, one that often gets overlooked when you live in a place that has a warm climate – itchiness and rash. It’s only when winter sets in that you start to feel the cracks showing, and when your face and hands are raw from all the rubbing you’ve been doing, you start to wish you didn’t have such “beautiful” skin after all.

But even with all the dryness that cold climes bring, I’d take my pimple-free skin any day over the oily kind; at least I have a whole range of creams and winter skin care products that help me prevent the itching. For those who are of the opinion that beauty is something that’s skin deep, it pays to take good care of your skin so that the ravages of age, pollution and cosmetics are kept to a minimum. And here’s how you can do that:

• Eat the right kinds of food: Foods that are rich in fat, oil and sugar make your skin look pasty and pale. They also make you prone to pimples and acne. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain all the essential nutrients that your skin needs to glow and look beautiful.
• Drink lots of water: Our body is made up of three fourths of water, and this is why we need to drink as much as possible to make up for the losses due to sweat and urination. Water aids in digestion and helps your kidneys eliminate toxins from your body. It also keeps you from becoming dehydrated and makes your skin supple and soft.
• Don’t use harsh cosmetics: Makeup and cosmetics may make you look better in the short term, but if you use brands that are chock full of harmful chemicals over a long period of time, they could cause your skin to show signs of aging even though you’re still in your prime. Some chemicals may also cause adverse effects like rashes and itching.
• Keep dirt away: The best thing you can do for your face is to keep it clean. Wash your face after time spent outdoors to remove the dirt and grime and help your pores breathe freely. Also remember to remove makeup completely before you go to bed. Cosmetics worn for long periods of time tend to clog your skin and prevent life-giving oxygen from reaching your cells.

Remember, while a good skin tone is part of your genetic makeup, it pays to augment your natural beauty with good care and the right foods.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of CNA certification. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com

Regardless of race, ethnicity, caste or creed, about 100% of people in the age group of 12 to 17 have at least an occasional breakout of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Mostly, pimples are treated with over-the-counter or non-prescription ointments or medicines, some cases, it is more serious than that. In more than 40% of adolescents, this acne breakout is serious enough to require medical treatment from a dermatologist.

Acne starts occurring by the age of 10 to 13 and lasts up to ten years. It mostly stops by early or mid twenties, but in a few cases, it persists. In some cases, it has been observed that people get acne for the first time as adults.

Young men and women are equally likely to get acne. But there are subtle differences. While young men are more likely to have more serious and persistent forms of acne (nodule etc), they are hesitant to visit a dermatologist. On the contrary, women visit them at the drop of a hat. They generally have acne because of usage of cosmetics that don’t suit their skin type and due to hormonal changes in their menstrual cycle.