Today, our society places a great deal of emphasis on the so-called perfect body. Both men and women engage in this quest, some quite obsessively. Plenty of people work out daily at the gym, counting calories, carbs and fat as though due diligence will reveal the holy grail of the perfect body. These people may also adopt strict eating habits that allow for no excuses, eschewing food pleasures as tantamount to a great sin. With a perfectly disciplined regimen, you might just approach that perfect body, according to your own definition. However, you can spend most of your time and effort to achieve this goal and still end up dateless on Saturday night. So the quest for your imagined bodily perfection may only pay you back in vanity for your accomplishment, in wresting your physique into a pleasant view in your mirror.

This is not to say that a healthy, well nourished body should not be pursued. Exercise will tone your muscles, making you better looking, more energetic and stronger. Let’s say you inherited your Mom’s knock knees. There is absolutely no amount of exercise, dieting or any other regimen which will change that. Does this mean you don’t have a perfect body? You may think so, but maybe your boyfriend or spouse feels you’re just perfect.

Men may obsess endlessly about those elusive and prized ’six-pack abs’ touted by the exercise machine manufacturers. Well, here’s a newsflash. Many women do not find these unnatural looking, tightly defined muscles attractive.

So how may we accurately define the perfect body? Historically, the perfect body has gone through a number of iterations and definitions, according to the times. Michaelangelo, in his desire to represent the human anatomy accurately, was a muscle definition freak, but produced nothing on the order of today’s body builders. Reubens favored a generous female form, with hips and waistlines of ample proportions, along with a good dose of fat here and there. In that day, his paintings represented the perfect body of every man’s desire. Today’s woman would be on a diet and exercise program in a heartbeat, to make the necessary corrections! Fast forward to Twiggy, of 1970s fame. This skeletal girl’s body was the goal of every female under 30.

So what’s to be learned from these examples? First, the definition of bodily perfection is truly in the eye of the beholder. If your body doesn’t match up to today’s top model or womanhood’s latest celebrity heartthrob, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to force the issue. Although you can’t change your height, proportions or bone structure, you can still look your best. Do eat healthy, do exercise and practice a moderate lifestyle. You will then have your perfect body and no one can take that away from you. You’ll be happier and have time for more substantive endeavors, such as who you are on the inside!

If you do not want your skin to sag, discolor or wrinkle, protect your skin from exposure to Ultra Violet rays, as they are quite harmful. On an average, exposure to sunlight for about 15 minutes a day is sufficient to get all the Vitamin D that the body needs. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or more). Apply it at least 30 minutes before going out. Reapply as often as is necessary, around every 2 hours.

#2. Protect your skin in winter from the cold weather

Using a heavier cream instead of a light moisturizer will protect your skin from the winter cold, as the skin is likely to become more sensitive in winter than in other times.

#3. Get a facial

Facials unclog pores, nourish the skin, clear the skin of its impurities and help to fight the pollution in the environment. To keep your skin healthy, get a facial at regular intervals, particularly just when seasons begin to change.

#4. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water helps prevent dehydration of the skin and promotes its elasticity. Besides, it is useful for the overall health of the body in many ways. Flushing out the waste products from the body becomes easier with the intake of more water. In addition, nutrients and vitamins are more easily absorbed.

#5. Exercise regularly

Exercising is important for the overall health and for the health of the skin. Regular physical exercise improves blood circulation in the skin and its oxygenation.

#6. Rest adequately

If you want to help your skin to regenerate for better health, not only physical activity but also adequate rest is essential. An average person needs at least six hours of sound sleep for good health.

Exfoliate properly

Help your skin to shed its dead cells to promote the generation of newer ones by using good exfoliants that are available over the counter. Exfoliants make your skin smooth, as they produce new collagen, which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Take care not to exfoliate too much or your skin may suffer irritation, or worse, inflammation.

#7. Eat foods rich in antioxidants

To counter the effect of free radicals on the health of the skin, you have to eat foods like whole grains, apricots, wheat germ, vegetables, nuts, fish oils, citrus fruits, cabbage, spinach, green peppers and so on. Ensure that the foods also contain vitamins E and C.

#8. Use facial creams

These are also useful in reducing the damage to the skin that free radicals cause. In addition, they strengthen fibroblasts, which support the skin and its health.

#9. Remove makeup

Before hitting the bed, remove makeup. During sleep, un-removed make up makes you sweat and then the make up is trapped in enlarged pores, and breakouts result.

#10. Cleanse

Cleansing the skin at least twice a day, or more often if you engage in heavy physical activity.

A person that has outer beauty is typically someone that is considered physically attractive. He or she is usually considered to be skinny or average weight. Very rarely is a person that is overweight considered to be outwardly beautiful. If it is a woman, her hair and makeup is flawless. Whether her hair is short or long, blond or brunette doesn’t matter, but there is not a hair out of place. Her makeup is perfect. Eye shadow, blush, mascara, all exactly the shade it should be and nothing out of place. Her wardrobe could come from the most highly paid designers, or from the resale shops and it wouldn’t matter. The way she wears those clothes is very attractive. She is always dressed very neatly. There is not a wrinkle on her, nor is there a hint of wear on her clothing. If she’s dressed in black, it’s the deepest black; nothing on her has faded to gray.

A person that has inner beauty is considered to be a good hearted person. He or she is always interested in helping others. Everything he or she does is for the good of someone else. He or she may focus on recycling and other “green” matters that will help to preserve the earth we all live on. He or she may volunteer at local missions or hospitals in order to help others. He or she may be the person that everyone he or she knows turns to when they need advice or help through a hard time. He or she is usually reliable. If he or she says he or she is going to do something, you can bet that he or she will do it. He or she may not have outer beauty, but that is rarely focused on. His or her inner beauty usually shines with such a light as to make the lack of outer beauty unrecognizable.

It is possible to have both inner and outer beauty, though that is a truly rare find. Many that have outer beauty are so busy trying to keep it that they usually don’t think about the things a person with inner beauty may think about. Those with inner beauty are so busy trying to do good for others that they rarely think about themselves or when they do, their focus is not on how they can improve their outer appearance.

Beauty is a wonderful thing. Inner and outer beauty is something that people should work to achieve. Too much of any one thing is never good, but some of each is a definite positive. Not only will you portray a positive and attractive appearance to others, but others will also appreciate you for all the good that you do for those in need.

Herbal exfoliants
You can exfoliate your skin using herbal products. Exfoliation helps in the regeneration of the skin cells by promoting the shedding of dry and dead cells. Papaya or pomegranate can be used as natural peel. Products containing the fruit can be applied and after some time peeled off from the skin, instead of washing off.

Defy ageing
Your skin may become dry and wrinkle because of premature ageing. In order to combat it, you can massage your face with clarified butter (ghee), almond oil or coconut oil before bedtime. Aloe vera gel will also be good if topically applied. Alternatively, use grated cucumber as a face pack.

Rejuvinate
If your skin has lost its color, which happens due to a variety of factors like improper or irregular sleeping habits or poor diet or undue exposure to the sun, you may use any of the following methods using herbal products. Make a paste of one teaspoon of fresh cream, five almonds (ground) and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this paste on the face and neck and chest and leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also apply mashed papaya or its juice on the affected skin. A paste of basil leaves and water or a paste of sesame seeds and turmeric in water can be applied on the discolored skin. Your skin will regain its pigment.

When I first discovered Neutrogena skin care products I was looking for help with extremely dry hands. I found that their lotion helped to heal the cracked dry skin on my hands. As the years have gone by the company has introduced many other products to keep the skin looking and feeling good. They have a full line of facial creams, cleansers and moisturizers to keep your face looking younger. Many of the products have a built in sunscreen so you are protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays without having to use additional products. I really appreciate this for the times that I am exposed to the sun when I have not planned for it, like stopping to watch a baseball game or taking a walk in the park over the lunch hour. It is usually these unplanned exposures that can lead to sunburn which can lead to many health issues.

Neutrogena skin care products have become a staple in our home. My husband and I use the same facial moisturizer and I have found that there make up line is an affordable price and compliments my complexion well. It is nice to have one section in the health and beauty products area that I can go to pick up the supplies we need. You could spend all day staring at all the brands of products it you did not have a brand that you trust. Now the only time I try a different brand is it there is a sample or trial size. This way I am not stuck with a large bottle of a product that I am not happy with.

Let’s talk cost. In this chaotic and bill infused world we all share, cost is important. How much do you spend each time you hit up the beauty hair salon, which is probably once a month? I watch women fork out 100 bucks for a cut, color and style. Although this is probably pretty standard, it seems like such a bundle to spend on your haircut every month. Or at least that’s what I told my wife. Because you have to remember that this doesn’t even include the products she purchases, which are typically 20 bucks a piece. The moral of the story is; you should definitely do some looking around before choosing a beauty hair salon. Some, although classy and appealing inside, do not offer the greatest cuts, styles and color jobs on the planet. It pays to do some browsing around and testing before deciding on a permanent salon. Always get the most bang for your buck if possible.