Your mom always told you that carrots were good for your eyes, but did you know they are good for your skin and hair too?

Yes To Carrots is a line of beauty products that uses orange fruit and vegetables, along with mud from the Dead Sea to fortify your skin and hair. Carrots and other orange produce contain beta-carotene, which is known for its anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties. With a mineral content of 32 percent, the Dead Sea  is the most mineral-rich body of water on earth. The black mud from the Dead Sea works at the cellular level to heal, hydrate and revitalize skin, as well as treat fluid retention, muscle aches and more.

Yes To Carrots products include their Pampering Carrot Juice Shampoo, which contains carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, melon, orange and honey blended with Dead Sea mud. The line also includes body creams and scrubs, as well as a day cream, night cream and an exfoliating mask.

Yes To Carrots skin and hair care products are available at Walgreens stores nationwide. You can learn more by visiting yestocarrots.com.

Drink lots of water.
Not enough can be said about the value of drinking water. Water will clean your skin from the inside out. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each and every day.

Protect your skin from the sun.
Even in cool weather, don’t forget the sunscreen. Protecting your skin is the first step in insuring that it stays beautiful and healthy looking. Wear a hat to protect your face if you are going to be outdoors for extended periods of time.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants assist in skin repair and strengthen blood vessels. Common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene. Be sure your diet is full of healthy foods rich in antioxidants. Berries and other fruit are particularly good.

Exercise regularly.
Keeping your blood pumping will not only keep your heart and body in shape, it will also give your skin a great glow. Thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise three to four times a week is ideal.

Get enough sleep.
Our bodies rejuvenate while we rest. This holds true for the skin too. Getting enough sleep will help keep your skin looking young and healthy.

Exfoliate.
Skin can look dull and drab if you do not exfoliate. Remove dead skin in the shower with warm water and a sponge. Don’t scrub too hard, which will cause redness and irritation.

Moisturize regularly.
You hands and face are not the only parts of your body that need regular moisture. Use a moisturizing lotion over your whole body, including arms, legs, stomach and back.

There’s no reason to go to a tanning salon, where you could do damage to your skin, or apply one of those fake looking self-tanners that oftentimes appear orange.

Now you can get glowing skin from a moisturizing lotion.

Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion is unique because it works for ALL skin tones. Unlike many other moisturizers that give you subtle color, Aveeno’s lotion features a patented dial dispenser with five different settings that allow you to customize your color.

This is a breakthrough technology that will let you decide how light or dark you’d like your skin to look. You can also increase the settings to build up the color gradually to get a natural glow.

You can purchase Aveeno skin care products at drugstores nationwide and also online at drugstore.com.

Visit the Aveeno website at aveeno.com to learn more about their products and find a retailer near you.

This product targets and restores skin’s elasticity, tone and contour. It is especially useful after periods of weight gain and/or pregnancy.

When you gain weight, even if you lose the pounds later, your skin loses some of its elasticity. This is especially true for those people who repeated weight fluctuations.

This skin care product is geared toward restoring your skin’s appearance and texture, while keeping it hydrated and moisturized.

Clinical studies have shown that in as little as a week’s time, women using Lipostretch Contouring Body Care have shown signs of increased skin elasticity and tone. In a month, skin’s density and firmness were markedly improved.

Lipostretch Contouring Body Care uses natural extracts from brown algae to help skin maintain its elasticity, pea extract to help firm the skin and yeast extract to help restore skin’s density. Salicylic acid also helps stimulate cell turnover to help smooth the skin.

Vichy Lipostretch Contouring Body Care retails for $29 at VichyUSA.com and at drug and specialty stores around the country.

Use it daily to help firm, tone and re-tighten skin.

It’s great for the whole body – arms, hips, stomach, thighs and more.

Not everyone protects their skin, but if you choose to go running to treat your body good, then you’re well aware of the health benefits. Don’t forget the health benefit of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Protect your skin in the following ways:

• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, 15 minutes prior to heading outside for a run.

• Reapply, reapply, and reapply…sun protection every 2 hours.

• Protect the delicate skin surrounding your eyes (our highest risk of wrinkles) with wrap around sunglasses. These give the most protection.

• Wear a hat to protect your facial skin.

• Don’t let the clouds fool you. You can burn on cloudy days as well – so remember to apply sunscreen.

• Bring a beach umbrella when you spend a day at the beach. It will give you, your dog and your kids shelter from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Bring a water bottle on runs. It can take under an hour for the body to become dehydrated.

• Wear sun protection at peak hours – remember the sun is at its strongest from 10am to 4pm.

Most people think that the SPF number is the only factor to consider when choosing a sunscreen, when actually there’s a lot more to it than that.

SPF protects against UVB rays. However, it’s very important to find a sunscreen product that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. UVB cause damage to the skin’s surface, while UVA rays can cause deep tissue damage.

Because it’s photostable, Capital Soleil’s protection will last through long periods in the sun and it’s also PABA free.

When trying this product, the first thing you’ll notice is that it’s non-greasy yet goes on smooth. It’s water and perspiration resistant, so it will last through outdoor workouts and trips to the pool.

It leaves your skin feeling and looking incredibly healthy. And it works very nicely on your face, as well as the rest of your body.

It’s relatively inexpensive. You can purchase Loreal Vichy Capital Soleil online at vichyusa.com for $29.00 for a 3.4 oz tube. You can also find Vichy products as retailers throughout the United States.

Use this Store Locator to find a location near you.

An average sized human adult had 2 square meters of skin that accounts for 12-15% of their total body weight. The skin is composed of three layers- the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. Each square inch of the skin is made up of millions of cells, more than 1,000 nerve endings, hundreds of sweat and oil glands and nearly 15 feet of blood vessels. Everyday they are working together for the body. Sweat glands relieve the body of sodium, water and waste products. Oil glands keep the body’s outer layer resilient, protected and pliable. Blood vessels help regulate body temperature and keep the skin oxygenated and nourished. Nerve endings communicate information to the interior of the body and brain.

The skin communicates all kinds of internal information, such as the presence of fever or an emotional response through physiological reactions such as blushing, blanching or creating a cold sweat. The skins appearance can relay information about a body’s physical or psychological state. If it is rough, flaky, patchy, swollen, red, broken out, blotchy, jaundiced, ashy or weeping there may be nutritional deficiencies, stress, disease, digestive disorders, food allergies, hormonal imbalances, toxicity, or environmental irritations.

The skin is also the body’s primary barrier against toxins, germs and other external contaminants. The healthier the skin is the better protection it provides for. The skin absorbs whatever you put on it. The patch method of administering medicine allows medicine to enter the blood stream faster than through digestion. The same way medicine is absorbed through the skin, so are skincare and hair-care products. Many of them are not good for the skin. Petrochemicals, fragrances, detergents and other substances can cause irritations and allergic reactions that contribute to bumps and clogged pores. If cleaners are too harsh they can disturb the skin’s ph balances and strip the skin of it natural mantle, which results in dryness, flaking, excessive oil production, dermatitis and vulnerability to infection. Look for natural skincare and medicinal-bathing products. Think twice about what you put on your skin.

Certain essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are found in omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 families. They play a crucial role in supporting strong skin structures and keeping skin soft and smooth. They also help fight inflammation and maintain good skin health. The body can not make EFAs so they must be obtained through food or supplements. But balance is the key. The National Institute of Health reports the American diet provides more than 10 times the amount of omega 6s (found in many processed foods, red meat, eggs and most vegetable oils) as omega 3s. This imbalance negatively affects the skin and contributes to long term diseases like heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis and depression. Avoid processed foods and use cooking oils like sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean. Eat red meat sparingly. Good food sources for omega 3s and other healthy fatty acids are nuts, seeds, and cold water fish like salmon, sardines, tuna and halibut. EFA supplements come in liquid, ground seed or capsule.

We all know the benefits of drinking a lot of water to our overall health. Waters role to the skin’s health is no different. If you are worried about a dull, dry or flaky complexion, reach for some water instead of a moisturizer. The amount of water you need to remain properly hydrated depends on your diet, (the more fresh produce you eat, the more water you take in from food), your activity level, and your climate. But most health professional recommend consuming eight fluid ounces of water a day and suggest you limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.

In a healthy body, skin cell turnover is very rapid. We typically replace our entire epidermis every 28-30 days through naturally sloughing and cell regeneration. The American Academy of Dermatology reports our skin ages both intrinsically because of the genetic instructions encoded in our DNA and extrinsically because of environment and lifestyle factors. As a result, our skin is prone to becoming rougher, thinner, less elastic and less toned over time. You can not control your genes which determine your skin’s character and resiliency or avoid the aging process. You can however control a variety of factors that contribute how your body’s DNA-level instructions play out and how quickly they take their course. If you inherit delicate sun-sensitive skin for example, you can avoid excessive sun exposure and eat a diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fatty acids. Many of the steps you take to care for your own health also protect the DNA in your skin cells, reducing your vulnerability to aging and melanoma.

Exercise is important. Our cardiovascular system is responsible for circulating nutrients and repair compounds to the skin, for maintaining the health of capillaries that affect our skin’s appearance and also for maintaining proper blood-sugar levels. By eating moderately (taking in just enough calories to maintain a healthy weight) and exercising moderately (versus being sedentary or exercising at overly high intensities too often) can help you lighten your body’s inflammatory and free-radical burdens and enhance its self repair capabilities.

A nourishing diet with adequate hydration, appropriate exercise, good stress management and high-quality sleep are the components of systems that help build, nourish, protect and repair your skin. There are also stressors on the skin that you should watch out for and be prepared to handle. They include the sun, free radicals and smoke and pollution.

There is no healthy suntan. A tan is your body’s response to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Photo-aging, the term used to describe the damage to skin caused by UV exposure is responsible for 90-95% of extrinsic skin aging. It can contribute to age spots, dark patches and other visible skin discolorations. It can also inhibit the immune system and interfere with DNA repair. But before you put on sunscreen watch the ingredients. Consider naturals sun block products that use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block rays. Wear a hat. Vitamins C & E also counter the effects of sun exposure.

Free radicals are a byproduct of our body’s process of turning food into energy and the result of exposure to the stressors above and below. They contribute to the oxidation of the body’s internal and external tissues and have been implicated in causing widespread inflammation and cellular damage in the body including in the skin. Free radicals damage collagen, one of the essential components of the connective tissue that keeps skins smooth, firm and wrinkle free. They can also contribute to the formation of skin discoloration. Commonly associated with the vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants are found in brightly colored fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Red beans and brightly colored berries top the charts for antioxidant activity. High powered antioxidants such as ALA can be found in spinach, broccoli and other plant and animal sources. These can be taken as a dietary supplement or topically.

One of the skin’s worst enemies is cigarette smoke. The skin of smokers ages twice as fast as non smokers. Smoking dehydrates, slows skin growth and rejuvenation, depletes essential nutrients and contributes to decreased levels of estrogen, leading to collagen and elastin breakdown. Air pollution also takes a toll on the skin. Stop smoking and limit your exposure to second hand smoke. Take whatever steps you can to limit exposure to environmental toxins. Emphasize good nutrition and proper hydration to protect your skin from damage, enable detoxification and optimize its repair mechanisms.

Caring for your skin is really a matter of caring for your whole self. It is not too late to make the healthy, whole body changes that will visibly improve your skin and sustain it vitality for years to come. If you are suffering from a skin condition or a lack of skin quality, take a look at more than your skins surface for the answer. Make the nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle changes necessary to improve your skin and your whole body will benefit.

• Asses your skin, know if you have fair skin or not, remember the fairer your skin the more sensitive it is to UVA and UVB rays
• Wear a hat, the skin on your face is more sensitive than other parts of your body
• Use a quality broad spectrum sunscreen with and SPF rating of 30 or higher. Be sure to apply the sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going into the sun to give it chance to absorb into your skin.
• The suns rays are most intense when it’s directly overhead (between noon and 3 pm). Try to limit the amount of time you spend outside in full direct sunlight.
• Sunscreen is only effective for only 2 to 3 hours be sure to reapply it regularly
• Be sure to reapply sunscreen when you exit the pool as it will no longer offer full protection

When your body goes through a period of rapid weight gain the skin is often stretched beyond its elastic point and “tears” appear under the surface. These tears aren’t painful but they are very noticeable. The tears also disrupt the production of natural skin pigmentation, so they will be more pronounced on people who have darker skin tones.

The easiest way to treat stretch marks is to use creams or lotions. These creams should contain tretinoin or plant based extracts. This is helpful for small or faint stretch marks. However stretch marks that cover larger areas of the body or are more pronounced are going to require a more intensive treatment. One of the most effective treatments is a macrodermabrasion. Sea salt and pressure are applied to the skin to resurface it. This procedure is usually performed by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. In many cases it will also include a prescription based retinoid treatment as well.

There are many different styles of suits. Bikinis now are in super-skimpy triangles, with side tie bottoms. Often bikinis have push up bras, under-wire and sculpted cups for extra curves. The Tankini is a variation of a bikini with a more sporty style. They have longer tops that leave only a small portion of the tummy exposed. If you do not want to expose any of your tummy, try a mock tankini. There are also bandinis. There are bikinis with a bandeau- a straight strip-like piece of fabric top. Camikini are the same as tankini except the top look like a camisole. Suits with boy legs have a longer leg resembling really short shorts.

Different styles suit different body types. If you are large busted look for under-wire, sculpted and soft cup bras built in for the support you need. Make sure the straps are substantial enough to hold everything in. If you are small busted opt for halters and triangle bikini tops. Wear lighter colors, prints, metallic, shiny fabrics and embellishment on top. Use under-wire bra tops for more lift. Avoid the trendy bandeau tops which tend to flatten.

If you have no waist create an illusion of one with a thin belted suit, wrap front or color blocking that accents the waist. If you have short legs try a leg style that rides high to lengthen your legs. Avoid boy-leg shorts or skirted suits. If you have a bigger bottom use wide straps to even things out. Also try lighter colors, prints or top embellishment with solid darks on bottom which create visual balance. To control your tummy, try control fabrics, vertical stripes and face framing details.

Make sure the suit fits. Try a size larger than you normally wear. When you try it on- bend, sit, stand and walk in it to make sure it will stay in place. Look at yourself in a three way mirror or take a friend along for a second opinion.