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The Top Ten Habits for Great Skin 

Written by Deanna Klan

Is your skin a little lifeless and tired looking?  Follow this guide to beautiful glowing skin all in easy to implement and inexpensive tips.

1 Drink lots of water -  It can be tap water, filtered water or spring water whatever you prefer.  Drinking lots of water moisturizes, flushes out toxins and gives your skin's cells exactly what they want and need.  Herbal teas are also a great way to get more water into your diet, just make sure there are no artificial colours, flavours or sugar added.  A slice of lemon or lime (preferably organic) will give a little zing to your sip.

2 Get enough rest - sleep is the time your body takes to repair itself and a well rested face is much clearer and fresher.  That's the reason we look so good when we return from a vacation.  during the night our skin can really utilize our moisturizers so the night cream is so important.

3 Eat a variety of colourful foods - This is so easy in the Okanagan summers when peaches, apricots and cherries are plentiful, delicious and inexpensive .  The orange coloured fruits can actually give you a glow that no cosmetic company can match.  Don't forget to include carrots, cantelope berries and yams.


4 Cleanse daily with the correct cleanser - Just choose a mild but effective cleanser and use an exfoliant or scrub 1-2 times each week.  This keeps dust , dirt pollution and make up and perspiration off the skin and out of the pores. Get into the habit twice a day just like brushing your teeth. A milky cleanser is best for dry skin and a foaming cleanser is what oily or problem skin needs.  If your skin is combination use a milky one during the day and a foaming one at night. There are a variety of organic and paraben free options at health food stores and salons.

4 Moisturize daily and nightly with the right creams for your skin - Again twice a day, something lighter in the day and heavier at night typically.  The day cream can contain a sunscreen, use one only if you spend a lot of time outdoors.  Otherwise there is no need to put on extra chemicals unless your day cream has a sunscreen that is chemical free. Pay attention to the throat are too!

6 Protect your skin from the sun - Use a sunscreen when out in the harsh summer sun.  Wear a hat and use an umbrella or shade and avoid the hottest part of the day if possible.  Never deliberately tan your face as it destroys collagen, causes pigmentation problems and accelerates the aging process

7 Don't smoke or put yourself in a situation where you will be exposed to second hand smoke - Smoking robs your skin of vitamins, forms lines in many different ways and gives a sickly colour to your skin.  the very act of drawing in smoke creates lines around the mouth, then the toxic ingredients reduce collagen and elastin levels causing further  lines on the face.  The chemicals in the bloodstream reduce oxygen levels giving your complexion a dull unattractive look.  Even breathing in second had smoke adversely affects the texture and colour of your skin.


8 Exercise regularly aerobically - This is simple but a a big pay off.  Running, brisk walking, bike riding, skating, walking up stairs, anything that gets your heart rate up will boost your skins appearance in a big way.  Our blood feeds our skin with the water and nutrients we take in and also takes away the cell's waste products.  That's why massage of the face, shoulders and neck is so much a part of the facial procedure (and it feels great too).  So find an easy way to incorporate aerobic activity in your day.

9 Manage stress - this can be a killer to your skin.  It can leave you looking drawn and older if you don't find a way to deal with it.  Yoga, walking and meditation are a few ways to mange the stress in you life, try to focus on the positive and give you looks a lift at the same time.

10 Drink alcohol only in moderation - Alcohol is dehydrating and can take it's toll on your skin.  If you have a tendency to rosacea ( a ruddy appearance especially on the cheeks and nose) stay away from hard liquor and minimize or eliminate all alcohol from your diet.  Otherwise a glass of wine with dinner is OK for the rest of us, but balance it out with lots of water through the day to compensate for its dehydrating effects.

Written by Deanna Klan

Deanna Klan has enjoyed being a licensed esthetician since 1986 and she combines her love of natural organic essences and healing energies at her salon. She can be reached at Daydream Esthetics Studio, 26-88 Duncan Ave W, Penticton, 250 490-1233 - Email:

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