Get Fresh-Looking Skin, Naturally

Forget chemical peels, surgical face-lifts, or Botox, you can get fresh, glowing skin by following a few simple directives. This skincare routine will lock in moisture, keep chemicals at bay, and nourish and refresh your skin, according to Lisa Benest, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Burbank, Calif.

One of her tenets: Get moving. "Our bodies weren't built to be sedentary," Benest says. "Even though we no longer have to hunt wild game to put a meal on the table, that's what the body was built for." Keeping our muscles in shape, she says, helps the blood transport vital nutrients to every cell in the body. Without those nutrients, the body has a difficult time regenerating.And, if you want sweeter-looking skin, Benest notes, sidestep the sugar. Sugar and highly refined carbohydrates, including white bread, white rice, French fries, and sugar-laded soda, can increase acne and speed aging by causing glycation-the result of sugar breaking down and bonding with protein molecules-which reduces the elasticity of collagen in your skin, according to Leslie Baumann, M.D., professor of dermatology at University of Miami and author of The Skin Type Solution (2006, Bantam).

Feed yourself protein, healthy fats (such as omega-3 fish oils or flaxseed oils) and complex carbohydrates and fruit, instead, Benest recommends, but skip the artificial sweeteners.

Next, drink plenty of water, around six to eight glasses a day, to flush out toxins from your body. Remember to get enough shut-eye, as well-at least seven hours a night. Reducing the chemical burden in your body from pesticides, synthetic chemicals, and heavy metals also means your body doesn't have to strain as hard to rid itself of excess toxins, Benest says, leaving it more energy for cellular renewal. ::Care2.com

Difficulty level: Moderate