Skin. It has been with you since before you were born. The largest organ of your body, your skin stretches as you grow and shrinks when you diet. But, most importantly – ages while you age! Here are four simple steps that you can take to keep your skin looking younger and feeling healthier:

Sun Protection – As we age, our skin is exposed to countless hours of sun. Constant, unprotected exposure can eventually result in what we commonly refer to as age spots. Ranging in all different sizes and shapes, these spots can appear on any area that has been exposed to the sun’s rays – your hands, arms, legs and, unfortunately, even your face. In order to decrease the risk of the appearance of these spots, you must protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. These rays come in two different wavelengths, UVA and UVB. UVB rays, while shorter than UVA, make our skin burn when overexposed. UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin’s layers, damage our collagen fibers … creating those dreaded wrinkles and leathery-looking skin. The best form of protection (besides staying indoors during daylight hours) is to use a broad-spectrum sunblock that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Moisturize - Not only do moisturizers make your skin feel soft and smooth, they also act as a “security blanket” for your skin. By using a moisturizer, you are giving your skin a temporary layer of protection that substitutes for lost collagen and elastin. Blanketing your skin with moisture helps to slow the progression and deepening of wrinkles. When looking for a moisturizer, be sure to take your skin type into consideration. Typically, moisturizers are made from two types of bases, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions. Water-in-oil-based moisturizers tend to be thicker and greasier and ideal for hands or extreme dry skin. On the contrary, oil-in-water-based moisturizers are lighter and a much better choice for normal-to-oily skin. Be sure to check the label when choosing a moisturizer and select one that best matches your skin type and needs.

Cleanse – The single-most important thing that you can do for your skin every night is to remove the day’s pollutants. Skipping this process too often could result in breakouts or dull skin. Start by removing your makeup with lukewarm water and a mild facial cleanser. TIP: Avoid using soap and hot water as they will only dry out your skin. Once clean, use a gentle exfoliant like Life’s Abundance Revitalizing Clay Mask. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores. A clogged pore could easily turn into a blemish like a pimple or blackhead. Life’s Abundance Revitalizing Clay Mask is a soothing clay that firms and exfoliates, drawing out trapped impurities and toxins for cleaner, more breathable skin. This gentle clay is ideal for women, men and teens with all skin types.

Rest – Mom is always right. You need your beauty sleep! While sleeping, your body produces melatonin, which is recognized by some as an anti-aging hormone. This hormone is great for both the skin and the immune system. Melatonin is depleted during the daylight hours, however, at night your body replenishes its supply. Studies also show that during deep sleep, a growth hormone is produced which repairs cell damage and cell turnover is eight times faster at night. In order to enjoy a full night of beauty rest, try incorporating these simple habits into your nightly routine:

• *Set a regular bedtime
• *Avoid alcohol, sugar and caffeine for at least two hours prior to bedtime
• *Take a soothing bath with scented bath oils or moisturize with a nighttime lavender lotion

In order to slow down the effects of the overall aging process, we need to take excellent care of our skin and provide it with as much protection as it provides us.