(KYTX) - It's getting warmer across East Texas.. That means it's time to start shedding the sweaters and show off a little more skin for Spring and Summer.
If Winter has dried you out and taken a toll on your face, don't fret. There are inexpensive ways to get back your Summer glow, and it's not as hard as people might think.
Sure, you can spend a lot of time and money on creams and skin care products. It's a billion dollar business. But as they say, beauty comes from the inside out. And, the foods and drinks we consume have a lot to do with how our outer appearance looks- including the quality of our skin.
"When you eat things like blueberries and raspberries and things with antioxidants, those are going to be helping from within."
Ashley Porter is an aesthetician at Dermedics in Tyler.
She says foods with antioxidants like berries can improve circulation and help fight free radicals that damage our skin.
"Your day to day, just being outside, being around pollution, dust and dirt and grime, those are free radicals."
Porter also recommends foods with healthy fats like unsalted almonds and fish.
"Those omega fatty acids are going to help regenerate healthy skin cell growth."
And, to cut down on puffiness in your face and body, avoid starchy foods like white bread and pasta.
"Whole grain foods- they're easier on your skin and body."
Salt can also cause bloating and, Porter says it's harsh on our skin.
"If you have acne-prone skin, just stay away from salt."
Porter says salt only aggravates acne.
And, except for dark chocolate, porter also advises people steer clear of the candy.
"It causes premature wrinkling, aging. The sugar dehydrates you so much."
Another inexpensive way to fight aging is by changing some of our daily beauty routines. Porter gave me some advice on how to avoid 'crow's feet.'
"When you're washing your face at home, this area, you're going to want to concentrate on doing vertical motions on those horizontal lines"
"Oh ok, because I feel like I wash my face like this... So that's just stretching that out?"
"Yes."
She says the same goes for the horizontal lines on our forehead. Scrub those in a vertical motion too, so you're not creating or deepening wrinkles.
One more thing to help fight aging and promote glowing skin, keep alcohol to a minimum.
"It wreaks havoc on our skin because it's so hard to rehydrate after drinking any alcohol."
Porter says if you do drink, sip twice as much water to balance out the effects of the alcohol.
And just remember, it's what's on the inside that counts, and your skin will show for it if you make smart decisions.
Of course, we know the sun can damage our skin and also advance aging and wrinkles. And, as the weather gets warmer, we're going to be seeing a lot more of it.
Porter says in the Spring and especially the Summer, water and sunscreen are our best friends when it comes to keeping healthy skin.
