Beauty Starts With Healthy Skin
Maybe it's true for some that age is a case of mind over
matter — if you don't mind it doesn't matter, as Jack Benny's
well-known quote goes. Easy for Benny to say, if there's any
truth to another famous saying, from 19th-century English poet
Mortimer Collins: "A man is as old as he's feeling, a woman as
old as she looks." If it matters to you to look as youthful as
you can, healthy skin's the ticket — skin's the thing that can
either give away your age or belie it. 
The skin is a cloak that shields our internal organs from
the elements — it protects us from bacteria, chemicals and the
sun's UV rays — while it regulates our body's heat and signals
pain to protect us against injury. Three layers make up the
skin — the top layer called the epidermis is where skin cells
and pigment are made; the middle layer called the dermis
contains the supportive collagen and the elastin that makes
the skin snap back into place; and the cushiony bottom layer
called the subcutis consists largely of fat cells, along with
some blood vessels and nerve and muscle fibers.
Pretty Important Body Part
Beyond the biological, the skin plays a second important
role — the body's thin blanket is the wrap we show to the
world, causing some to say that healthy skin is where beauty
begins.
To keep your skin looking taut and smooth, take steps to
help this outermost organ stand the test of time.
Cleansing. Wash your skin the way that feels best —
choose the products that feel pleasant and wash the number of
times that makes your face feel fresh.
Moisturizing. If it ain't dry, don't moisten it. But
many skin types get dry and cracked if you skip this step.
Sun protection. No two rays about it — for all skin
types, and at every age, slathering on an SPF 15 or higher is
a have-to habit, to protect against the UV rays that cause
wrinkles as well as skin cancer.
Eating — and drinking — right. In general, protein
is a plus and carbohydrates can be bad. Water has been
described as the elusive fountain of youth. Knowing what to
eat — and why to avoid skin-damaging sugar — can restore life
to a dull complexion.
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