REPOST: Young white women still embrace indoor tanning despite cancer risks

This Los Angeles Times article reveals the danger of indoor tanning to women's health.

Image Source: latimes.com

Indoor tanning is a great way to get skin cancer – especially if you start young. People who use tanning beds, sunlamps or tanning booths before age 35 are up to 75% more likely to develop melanoma, and those who begin before 25 may double their risk of other types of skin cancer.

So we are once again surprised to to find that indoor tanning remains popular with the young women whose fair skin makes them the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

The latest evidence comes from researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a research letter published online Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine, they report that 29.3% of white high school girls went to an indoor tanning parlor at least once a year, and 16.7% went “frequently” – at least 10 times in a 12-month period. In addition, 24.9% of white women under age 35 indoor-tanned at least once a year and 15% did so “frequently.”

Why is this a problem? As we explained after a 2011 survey by the American Academy of Dermatology found that 32% of white women under the age of 30 had visited a tanning parlor in the previous year (including 8% who did so on a weekly basis):

“The reason tanning turns your skin brown is that it becomes damaged by ultraviolet radiation. This is true regardless of whether those UV rays come directly from the sun or from an artificial source, like a tanning bed or sunlamp. Both short-wavelength UVB and the relatively longer-wavelength UVA damage the DNA in skin cells, increasing the risk of malignant melanoma and squamous and basal cell carcinomas. (And even if you don’t care about cancer risk, consider that UV waves break down the collagen in your skin, causing it to wrinkle.)”

The CDC says indoor tanning is dangerous, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns consumers that the UV radiation from sunlamps and tanning beds “poses serious health risks.” The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer says UV-emitting tanning devices are "carcinogenic to humans." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agrees, saying that “exposure to sunlamps or sunbeds is known to be a human carcinogen.” (Spray tans seem to be OK, since they don't involve UV radiation.)

The statistics reported in JAMA Internal Medicine were gathered as part of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, both administered by the CDC. Although survey-takers may have been less than truthful about their tanning practices, the researchers found the results troubling.

“Indoor tanning is widespread among non-Hispanic white female high school students and adults ages 18 to 34 years, and the frequent use of indoor tanning is common,” they wrote. “This widespread use is of great concern given the elevated risk of skin cancer among younger users and frequent users.”

What will it take to reverse this trend? California is one of a handful of states that has made it illegal for minors to use tanning beds, and at least 33 states regulate the industry in some way, according to National Conference of State Legislatures. Some cities restrict the use of indoor tanning salons by minors as well.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aims to discourage indoor tanning by imposing a 10% tax on tanning services, among other things. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that peer counseling and videos that emphasize how tanning ages the skin are two interventions that actually work.

A 2010 report in the Archives of Dermatology, however, reported that one out of three indoor tanners could be addicted to the practice. That may help explain why 1 in 50 melanoma survivors told CDC interviewers that they continued to go to tanning parlors.

For more about the dangers of indoor tanning, including the truth behind myths such as “Indoor tanning is safer than outdoor tanning,” and “A base tan will protect me from cancer,” check out this site from the CDC.

Let Lift and Glow Pro help you treat your skin well by choosing the the right products.  Follow this Twitter page for more updates.

REPOST: Beauty Undercover: Be a Smarter Customer

Do you want to become a savvier shopper of beauty products? Take away all your retail anxiety by reading this Cosmopolitan.com article.

Cosmo Beauty Editor Jessica Matlin always felt pressured around beauty salespeople. To overcome her retail anxiety, she trained at Origins to become one.

Image Source: cosmopolitan.com

I'll never forget Timothy: a soft-spoken makeup artist in New Jersey, he sold me my first MAC lipstick at 14. I saw him on the reg during high school, and he made me feel more beautiful than my first boyfriend did—he showed me how to "own my look." When he left the store for a new job, the other salespeople were so pushy, I quit asking for advice and kept convos to a minimum (I didn't want to lead them on). But I knew my phobia meant I was missing out. So I approached Origins to curb my anxiety—and became a savvier shopper. My lessons:

DON'T BUY IT JUST BECAUSE IT'S POPULAR

During my training, a customer held up a Facebook page featuring a well-Liked night cream. "I need this!" she told me. I practically skipped to get the product. But when I got back, my coworker was selling her a different one. He learned she had breakout-prone skin, and the heavy cream would've made her skin go berserk. (#Fail!) While social media is great for making new discoveries, don't be a slave to it. Unlike a trendy shade of nail polish , the wrong skin product can have major consequences.

YES, REQUEST SAMPLES

I used to think taking samples made me look like a cheapskate or, worse, a sucker—it told the salesperson, "You almost got me!" But smart beauty companies want to get you hooked on their products. Their philosophy: If you try it, you might just buy it. And there's less of a chance you'll go home with a $40 jar of cream you end up hating, then bash the brand to all your buds.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, BRING IT BACK

How many bad beauty buys of yours are sitting unused in a drawer? It's time to stop the madness! Whether you bought a product in a moment of weakness or it just doesn't work, most companies will exchange or refund it if you have a receipt.

ASK ABOUT EXTRAS

Origins offers free mini facials to anyone, but many customers are clueless or too embarrassed to ask. While asking about free services might seem like something your crazy aunt might do, the worst thing they can do is say no. Best-case scenario? You're getting pampered, for free.

When my shift ended, I was a little bummed to hang up my apron. I got hooked on solving customers' skin issues—my coworkers' passion was contagious. Sure, selling product is always going to be part of staffers' jobs, but remember: the truly remarkable ones won't lead with it; they'll ask about your concerns first. So make them your personal shoppers. They'll keep tabs on what you're using now and know what you should be using next. Let go of the retail fear factor, and treat the store as your own beauty playground. It can really pay off.

Jessica's top picks!

(1) CC CREAM

Fights free radicals and evens skin tone. Smarty Plants CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector, $35

(2) MOISTURIZER

Java and ginseng give this one a kick. GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer, $26.50

(3) SERUM

Softens the look of lines and wrinkles. Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum, $55

Facial rejuvenation is possible. Follow this Lift and Glow Pro Twitter page for skin care updates and tips.

REPOST: Unhealthy lifestyles 'age a woman's skin by 10 years'

An international study says that having an unhealthy lifestyle can age a woman's skin by more than 10 years.  Read this article from The Telegraph for details:

 

The true damage caused by sun beds, smoking and a lack of fruit and moisturisation in accelerating the ageing process emerged following research by a team of top skincare experts.

The study, which involved 585 women in the UK, China and Spain, showed the factors influencing their skin were the same even taking into account the backgrounds and skin type of the women involved.

It also emerged 'lifestyle choices' often account for as much as 33 per cent of how old a woman looks.

Dr Andrew Mayes, a scientist for Simple skincare which pioneered the research, said: "We already knew genetics accounted for about 50 per cent of how old people look, but we didn't know how much would be accounted for by their lifestyles.

 

Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk

"Even we were surprised by just how much it was; both in terms of the number of years and the percentage."

The study which was carried out over the last eight years involved women aged 45 to 75 in the UK, 30 to 70 in Spain and 25 to 70 in China.

Study sites with controlled laboratory conditions were established in Bedford in the UK, Madrid in Spain and Shanghai in China.

Those who took part were asked a string of questions about their lifestyles including whether or not they like to sun tan and if they were smokers or non-smokers.

Other questions included how often they moisturise, whether they eat fruit and veg, whether they brush their teeth, and have all their own teeth.

The research team also took digital images of the women which were then assessed for how old they looked to identify their perceived age and whether they looked younger or older than their actual age.

The research team, led by Dr Mayes, then compared the perceived ages of those with good versus bad lifestyles.

They concluded the difference was 10.4 years.

Dr Mayes added: "The number of years difference was most staggering – we had just seen some data out of a group of plastic surgeons in the US and Canada suggesting that a face and neck lift (together with eyelid and forehead modifications) could take an average of about 8.5 years off your facial age.

"Then we got our data through demonstrating a saving of over 10 years. It's fair to say at first we couldn't quite believe it.

"But the evidence was there in front of us – women with a healthy lifestyle looked much younger than those with an unhealthy lifestyle.

"Simply put; good skin health is about more than fancy creams and lotions – it's about how we live our lives and how we treat our bodies and the steps we need to take do not need to be extreme.

"They can be small and steady and the effects will be seen over time without the need for plastic surgery."

In direct response, Dr Mayes has helped create Simple Sense, a skincare tool which takes lifestyle as well as skincare products into consideration to provide personalised tips to help women so they don't feel the need to turn to plastic surgery.

A spokeswoman for Simple skincare said: "We've taken this valuable insight and combined it with over 50 years experience caring for sensitive skin to develop this unique online tool called Simple Sense."

The team behind Lift and Glow Pro emphasizes that living a healthy lifestyle contributes to a youthful and healthy glow.  Access this Facebook page for more materials about skin care.

 

Sun protection explained

Most people do not get adequate sun protection, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using broad-spectrum SPF 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays.


However, proper protection doesn’t stop there. Using products with the highest SPF protection has raised confusion among consumers. Below are some of the things that sun protection users should be aware of:  


The highest SPF
Bruce Katz, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, says that SPF 50 should be enough to be considered a good number for maximum sun protection. When the products say SPF 80+, this would most likely be a marketing strategy.  


 

Image Source: Bellafloria.files.wordpress.com

Protecting the hair
 While some hair protective products can be put to good use, they’re not an assurance of protecting the scalp as well. An effective way of covering the scalp from the sun’s harmful effects is by wearing a hat and applying sunblock all over it.

Image Source: Standup2cancer.org

The right way to apply sunscreen
To maximize protection, the product should be applied properly. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. One application is not enough throughout the day. The product should be reapplied every two hours, especially when the person is out swimming. The amount of product to use has to be an ounce for creams, a 0.002 mm layer for liquids, or a 30-second application for sprays.

Image Source: Unoriginal123.tumblr.com

With the help of the US Food and Drug Administration, which has issued a new regulation on sunscreen distribution and use, the protective properties of a product can now be easily spotted on labels, the level of SPF included.  


Lift and Glow Pro is one with various health organizations in advocating healthy skin for all. This Twitter page provides resources on how to prevent different skin maladies.

REPOST: The Surprising Secret to Perfect Skin

What is the role of ethnicity in the overall condition of your skin? This Cosmopolitan article reveals the secret.

The latest research shows that the key to attaining an awesome complexion may be linked to your ethnic background.

You know that many factors can affect your skin: the weather, your menstrual cycle, your cleansing routine, the Pill, and yes, your diet. But there's one factor you don't hear much about: your ethnic background. At the latest American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, several research dermatologists spoke about the role ethnicity plays in the overall condition of your skin. Here, top skin docs offer insights that'll help you score and maintain a gorgeous complexion based on those revelations.

Fair 

Image Source: cosmopolitan.com

If you have a pale skin tone that's between porcelain and bisque, this is your group. Most fair-skinned people are Caucasian, but they can also be light-skinned Asians and Latinas.

Basic Characteristics

Fair skin can range from being extremely dry to very greasy, but the most common denominator is a susceptibility to irritation, sensitivity, and damage caused by UV exposure. The good news is that your relative lack of pigmentation means you have the easiest time scoring a uniform complexion. Even when your coloration is slightly off in places (from sun exposure, a breakout, a scratch, or whatever), getting back to normal usually doesn't take the amount of time and effort often required of people with deeper skin tones.

Basic Care

Start your routine off with a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type (dry, oily, or combo), but dermatologists emphasize that selecting moisturizers that'll help protect your fair skin from UV damage is key. During the day, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen laced with antioxidants. At night, opt for a cream that contains alpha-hydroxy acids or retinol to help speed up cell turnover. Another must: Get an annual total-body check from a derm. In between, look for moles and bumps that change shape or color or that hurt.

Common Problems

Hate to break it to you, but you're the first to show signs of sun damage (wrinkles, dark splotches, roughness). To speed up the sloughing off of damaged surface skin and reveal the fresher, sexier layer underneath, check out one of the new at-home acid peels or microdermabrasion kits. A good buy: L'Oréal ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion Kit, $25.

Your relative paleness also makes redness look more pronounced. If irritation is causing your skin to appear ruddy, try a "calming cream" containing chamomile or other soothing botanicals. Color-corrective concealers, foundations, and powders, often tinted a light green, can cancel out the red of pimples and broken blood vessels (your lack of natural UV protection makes you especially prone to these).

Medium 

Image Source: cosmopolitan.com

This spectrum spans skin tones from light beige to olive or deep tan. More likely than not, you're in this category if you're of East Asian, Latin, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern descent.

Basic Characteristics

Having more melanin-rich skin gives you some natural UV protection — not enough that you can ditch the SPF, but premature aging shouldn't be a huge concern. Also, your skin tends to be relatively thick, which often means fewer lines and wrinkles. But because it can also contain more oil glands, your skin may have enlarged pores and be prone to breakouts.

Basic Care

A salicylic-acid wash can help keep both oil and breakouts at bay. We like Benefit Wooosh!, $18. Also — unlike powder, which can sit in and exaggerate pores — blotting papers are a great temporary fix. Try Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, $5. Another trick: Use a mattifyer under your sunscreen and makeup. One cult favorite: Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel, $35.

Common Problems

Skin with a decent amount of melanin is predisposed to produce even more melanin at the slightest provocation. Derms report that hyperpigmentation, such as marks that outlive whatever caused them in the first place (like a bug bite or scratch) and melasma (masklike facial blotchiness), are the biggest concerns. Hydroquinone-spiked fading creams reduce the production of new melanin and help to whisk away existing spots. Try DDF Fade Gel 4, $42. Newer fading formulas use botanicals purported to help disperse existing pigment clusters into less noticeable particles.

Because thick skin tends to have high concentrations of hair follicles, you may also have to wrestle with extra facial and body hair. Consider adding a hair-inhibiting lotion, such as Aveeno Positively Smooth Facial Moisturizer, $14, to your routine. Also, be aware that hyperpigmentation can be triggered by waxing burns, so if you let it rip at home, don't overheat the wax. If you go to a pro waxer, be up-front about your skin's sensitivity. For facial hair, try threading, a safe, time-tested alternative technique that tugs on skin less than waxing or tweezing.

Dark 

Image Source: cosmopolitan.com

Skin tones in this category can range from café au lait to ebony and usually include African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, and women from India, Sri Lanka, and other areas of South Asia.

Basic Characteristics

The lucky news: Your skin is the best-protected against UV damage — not so much so that you can forget sunscreen (ever!) — but enough that you're likely to look a few years younger than your lighter-skinned contemporaries. Your pigmentation also provides camouflage against redness and even cellulite. On the other hand, hyperpigmentation can be a big issue — the skin pros point out that acne scars are a particular bummer.

Basic Care

Wage a war against pimple scars by making your cleansing routine about acne avoidance: Use a pore-cleansing salicylic-acid wash once or twice a day. We like Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser, $6. But because you can't ensure against breakouts one hundred percent of the time, consider applying a cream that contains both salicylic acid as well as a brown spot-fighting ingredient. Try Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel, $15.

Common Problems

Keeping your b-day suit free of any ashy patches of dry skin is challenging because the contrast between dead, grayish cells and your rich dark skin tone can be obvious. Go for rich lotions and creams, and moisturize as often and as thoroughly as possible, especially when your skin is still damp after a shower. And stick with gentle cleansers versus drying soaps. Try Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash, $4.50. For stubborn ashiness, keep a humidifier on while you sleep.

You may also be plagued with ingrowns. The culprit: a combo of coarse hair and curved follicles. Simply put, the hair has a hard time breaking through the surface of your skin. And as tempting as picking and excavating may be, just say no. At best, you'll invite hyperpigmentation...at worst, infection. Instead, opt for exfoliating and/or antiinflammatory products that coax trapped hairs out. Try Completely Bare Bikini Bump Blaster, $35, or Tend Skin, $20.

African-American Skin Alert

No matter where you fall on the spectrum of dark skin, the most important thing to remember is that sun-induced skin cancer poses a particular risk. Cancerous growths are usually caught at a later (and more dangerous) stage in dark-skinned patients than in others. It's not that questionable spots are trickier to spot on dark skin than they are on light skin; rather, says Dr. Downie, "there's a lack of awareness among women of color that cancer could even be a problem for them." Plus, a lot of doctors aren't being sufficiently trained in skin of color. So you need to be especially vigilant about self-monitoring.

Here are all the classic patterns of potential cancerous growths to look out for: moles and bumps that change shape or color, or that bleed or hurt, or that don't heal. Pay special attention to your palms, soles, and the skin under your nails, areas where there is a higher incidence of melanoma among African-Americans. So remember: Wear SPF 30 (yes, 30!), get an annual skin exam and self-monitor in between those visits.

Learn how to take care of your skin by following this Twitter page for Lift and Glow Pro. 

REPOST: Great Skin: Look Younger from the Neck Down

Most women have spent years pampering their faces but forgetting to take care of some areas of their body. This Health.com article provides some tips on taking care of one's body from head to toe.

Image Source: health.com

Sure, your face looks young, but what about your hands? Your neck? Your chest? Erase years with these smart strategies.

Wise to the sun’s evil ways, you diligently coat your face in sunscreen every day. Nice work. But as you slather on the sunscreen, you may notice that the skin on your hands doesn’t look quite as ageless as your complexion. “Your hands, along with your neck and chest, are what I call give-away areas,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, a dermatologist in Brooklyn, New York. “They can show your real age, even if you have a youthful-looking complexion.” That’s because these three areas get almost as much damaging sun exposure as your face—but they get a lot less care. Remedy the situation with these strategies that will keep you looking gorgeous from head to toe for years to come.

Take time off your...hands

“Most women notice the first signs of aging on their hands in their early 30s, as the skin begins to thin and lose moisture and sunspots come to the surface,” says Robin Ashinoff, MD, chief of dermatologic and Mohs surgery and cosmetic dermatology at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey. In your 40s or 50s, you may also notice a loss of fat, which makes tendons and veins more visible beneath skin. There are ways to remedy the problem, but the easiest fix is to prevent it from happening in the first place by applying a thick layer of moisturizing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) immediately after washing your hands.

Simple fixes: Improve the look of your skin by smoothing a retinol cream, like RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum, on the backs of your hands every night. Retinol “minimizes fine lines while stimulating cell renewal to even skin tone,” Dr. Howe says. For darker spots, ask your doctor about pre­scription Tri-Luma, a blend of the bleaching agent hydroquinone and the retinoid tretinoin; a 30-gram tube costs $188 and lasts about six months (apply at bedtime for several months).

Intensive solutions: If you still see discoloration, head to your derm for a series of one to three treatments with an Nd:YAG or Q-Switched Ruby laser ($300 to $500), which can erase spots. Injecting hands with a hyaluronic-acid filler like Restylane will restore lost fullness; one to two syringes (costing about $850 per syringe) are usually needed to treat both hands, and results last about six months. If your skin is thoroughly dappled and has a crepey texture, fractional lasers can “sweep the area clean while stimulating a good deal of collagen production, making skin look healthier,” Dr. Howe explains. Unfortunately, the treatments aren’t cheap—you may need up to five at a cost of $1,000 each.

Take time off your...chest

“I often see women in their early 20s who have blotchy, freckled chests—a clear sign that their skin has gotten too much sun,” Dr. Howe says. Eventually, the broken vessels and brown splotches will be joined by wrinkles, loose skin, and white spots, which appear when pigment-making cells sustain so much damage that they simply shut down.

Simple fixes: The best way to keep your decolletage from deteriorating? Cover it with clothing or sunscreen during the day and a lotion that contains antioxidants like co-enzyme Q10 and vitamin E at night; try Gold Bond Ultimate Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion. “The combination of these two ingredients neutralizes sun-induced free radicals and helps reduce wrinkles,” Dr. Ashinoff explains. To improve skin tone and texture, dermatologists often prescribe retinoid creams, like Renova and Avage. If the skin on your chest is too sensitive for these, over-the-counter retinol or retinaldehyde lotions work similarly but not as quickly; try Avène Eluage Cream ($39; www.spalook.com).

Intensive solutions: Glycolic peels ($300 to $500) can lighten spots and improve texture on large areas of skin. Fractional lasers also “do a good job of correcting most aspects of sun damage: freckling, blotchiness, rough texture, and deep lines,” Dr. Howe says. Each treatment costs a bundle (about $1,000), though, and you’ll need between three and six. If discoloration is your main concern, intense pulsed light can wipe out brown spots and red vessels in three to six treatments and is slightly less expensive ($500 to $900 per treatment).

Take time off your...neck

Smoking, genetics, sudden weight loss, the sun—you can blame any or all of these for the current state of your neck. Horizontal grooves and blotchy tone are a result of too much time in the sun without sunscreen. Far more troubling, however, is the dreaded “turkey neck” that may appear thanks to a combination of sagging skin and protruding neck bands (caused by the tightening of a thin sheet of muscle called the platysma).

Simple fixes: Since the skin on your neck is thin and sensitive, all-star ingredients like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acid may be too irritating. Instead, doctors suggest applying face creams that have gentle anti-agers like copper peptides, which boost collagen production and tighten skin over time; find them in Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, Copper Collagen Infusion.

Intensive solutions: Unfortunately, creams are no match for ultra-lax skin and rigid bands. Botox ($500 to $1,000 a visit) is the best solution because it weakens the platysma muscle, relaxing the tight cords so skin lies flat for up to six months. The radio frequency treatment Thermage can tighten the neck in just one visit, but it’s really pricey, costing upwards of $5,000. It’s a relatively new treatment, so doctors aren’t sure how long results will last. But the company that developed the technology estimates at least several years.

Get more updates on beauty and health through this Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page.

REPOST: How does vitamin C benefit skin?

How does vitamin C help rejuvenate the skin in such a way that its glow and health are maintained? This Fit and Health article reveals the answer.

It's been centuries since British sailors discovered the key to avoiding scurvy: vitamin C. You probably grew up being told that getting enough vitamin C would ward off colds and other ailments, but now the word is out that vitamin C may not play a big part in staving off the sniffles. However, it does have a vital role in maintaining the health of your skin.

Those sailors and others who couldn't get fresh fruits and vegetables suffered bleeding under the skin, ulcers and joint weakness. That's because vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength [source: WebMD]. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments, and it helps your skin repair itself [source: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center].

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage -- free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. New research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage [source: University of Leicester].

Research suggests that vitamin C may also reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer [sources: University of Maryland Medical Center, Bouchez]. This doesn't mean you can take vitamins or apply topical vitamin C and then bake safely in the sun, but you can help keep your skin healthy and supple by making sure you get enough of this antioxidant vitamin [source: Bouchez]. Keep reading to learn what foods you can incorporate into your diet to make sure you get the vitamin C your body needs.

Vitamin C Foods Vitamin C can improve your skin, strengthen your immune system, protect against cardiovascular disease and reduce your risk of stroke, and doctors say it's one of the safest and most effective nutrients [source: Zelman]. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means it's easily absorbed through the water in your body. Your body doesn't store vitamin C, so you must replace your supply every day -- excess amounts are flushed out through your kidneys [source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration].

There are plenty of foods that can help you boost your consumption of vitamin C. If you get the recommended nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables, you're probably meeting the minimum daily recommendations for vitamin C -- in addition to many other vitamins and minerals [source: Zelman]. To ensure your diet includes plenty of vitamin C, eat citrus fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, collard greens and tomatoes [source: Bouchez]. Although opinions differ on how much vitamin C your body needs, many doctors suggest taking 500 milligrams a day, which can often be found in daily multivitamins or vitamin C supplements. However, don't exceed more than 2,000 milligrams per day -- too much vitamin C may cause stomach irritation [source: Zelman]. 

You can also apply topical vitamin C to your skin to encourage collagen production and fight free radicals. Look for a facial cleanser or moisturizer that contains the L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C to ensure the vitamin penetrates your skin layers [source: Bouchez].

Find easy ways to look and feel good by visiting this Lift and Glow Pro Facebook page.