The skin is our largest organ, and includes nervous, hormonal, excretory, signaling, and temperature regulation functions, to name a few.

What gives skin it's elasticity, suppleness, and skin tone is collagen. You may have seen creams that contain collagen- I will not comment on it as a cream ingredient, since I do not know enough about it's use in a cream.

Collagen

I can comment on how to maximise your own internal production of collagen. Check it out; as you produce more and better collagen, your skin will look younger!

Collagen production in your body requires vitamin C, and silica (Si), as essential nutrients.

A yoga master that I know began using 5ooomg of vit. C per day, on my advice, and reported to me that his crow's feet were smoother and less visible, after a few weeks of "high C" therapy!

Silica is well sourced from Silicea gel, a German product widely sold in Canadian health food stores. Swallow a couple of tablespoons per day.

Maximising your collagen production is also very good for your joints, including your back. All cartilage, ligaments and tendons are very high in collagen; it's what gives them strength and integrity. So expect improvements, if you have joint or back pains and strains.

Detoxify - Cleanse from the Inside

Do you want your skin to GLOW? Do you want to truly look younger and fresher? Then detoxify!

Your liver and skin are intimately connected. Acne means your liver is asking for help- it is in distress! Women especially look more glowing and beautiful after a good liver flush. Read how to do it quickly, effectively and easily in my detox section, under 'detox yourself'.

Good Fats = Clear, Glowing Skin

And bad fats = acne ridden, grey yucky skin. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype for bad fats and propaganda against good fats. Knowing really what are good vs bad fats is a minefield of misinformation. For example, Canadian canola, which is pretty much banned from Europe, is heavily promoted as good for us. It is toxic, and using it will show up badly in the skin!

Take a good look at the "fats that you need" page on my site. Live by it. Your skin will look a lot nicer for it. I guarantee you, if you do a liver flush (mentioned above) and eat only good fats, your skin will totally look more clear and beautiful! Amen.

Lotions, Potions, Creams, and Dreams

Please, for the sake of your skin, read this carefully; Only use edible skin products!

Why should you only use edible skin products? Well, intimacy factors aside, consider that your skin absorbs. It really does. If you put sliced garlic under your foot, in a few minutes you will have garlic breath! Try it, and you will be a believer.

Would you put Keri lotion on your salad? Would you put Vaseline on your toast? Body Shop butter on your bagel? If you love your skin, do NOT use toxic junk on it.

Healthy, Safe Skin Lotions and Creams

Almond oil, raw, unprocessed. Try a health food store, in the healthy cooking oil section.

The finest oil you can put on your skin, if you want to pamper your self, is Rosa Mosqueta oil. Rosa Mosqueta is pressed from the seeds of roses, and is miraculous for scars, especially if you add in lots of vitamin E. I use a burst vitamin E capsule + rosa mosqueta mixed together for scars and healing. Works very well.

You can definitely use sesame oil, if you don't mind being attacked by hungry squirrels who think you are hummous, or even olive oil. Any edible, quality oil is fine for your skin. Coconut oil is liked by some. I find it too greasy, but nice for tanning.

Shea butter, from Africa is great for problem areas, like dry hands. It is very rich, and healing. I purchased an over-priced one from l'Occitane, and now have a fresher one I got from someone who sells cheaply and has the best stuff- I believe they are now selling it near Blue Moon cafe in the south end of Kensington market, in Toronto.

Take a minute after your shower. Spread on a rich, natural healthy oil, being sparing if your skin is naturally moist, and more generous if you have drier skin. If you like, add a few drops of natural essential oils from a health store, like say, rose oil, ylang-ylang flower, lemon, lavender, or any other herbal oil extract that you think will make you irresistible! Get the highest quality essential oils available, and be very sparing with them. A little goes a long long way. Men may want to try adding some essential oils of tea-tree, for that Mr. Clean smell, or possibly frankincense oil, for that fresh Messiah scent!

Personally, I like rose oil plus frankincense. Heavenly!

Wait a few minutes and the oils will be drunk in by your grateful skin. Then get dressed, knowing you have nourished your skin with wonderful essential oils which will help it glow and shine.

In the Shower

No liquid soaps! They all (except for Dr Bonner's) contain toxic-for-your-skin sodium lauryl sulfate, or some related compound. Stay away from all of that perfumed, toxic garbage, and use a pure bar soap. Again, check with your health store for a pure, no chemicals added bar soap. Old school here is really best!

Chlorine is a real skin and health harmer. If you want a healthy shower, getting a screw-on 30 dollar chlorine filter is a very good investment, that lasts about a year.

Helpful Nutrients for Skin

Vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B complex, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, and water. Being well hydrated is a massive skin issue. If you are dehydrated, your skin will feel shrivelly. And over time, it will look more shrivelly too, if you neglect water intake!

Skin Conditions;

Psoriasis

Just ask John Hadzi (on my Anthony + Friends page) if psoriasis is curable. Him and I made a game plan of detoxification (see my detox pages), a rotation diet (see Allergy Free for Everyone page), and a few nutrient supplements for his debilitating psoriasis.

After about 2-3 months, it was gone.

I mean GONE; no more bleeding, painful, "incurable" psoriasis. Do you think a skin Dr. (Dermatologist) gets trained in this drugless, effective, harmless holistic approach? Not as long as big pharma has the medical schools in their pocket!!

Acne

The skin cells in severe acne cases show a glucose intolerance. In other words, think of acne as a sugar overdose poisoning of the skin. Remove all sugars, except for fresh, raw fruit, and raw unpasteurised honey. No other sugars!

Then, consume healthy fats only. Read the fats page on this site to become an expert at eating healthy fats.

Finally, detoxify the liver, and expect to see big improvements in the beauty of your skin (if you also follow the sugar and fats advice).

By the way, supplementing with 50mg of zinc if you are a young man will definitely help. Use 20mg if you are female. Adding in 500mcg of chromium for sugar control is also a good idea for both sexes. Take zinc always with food.