The goal of taking care of your skin is not just to look young and attractive. There are many problems that can affect skin's appearance and well-being, compromising your quality of life.

A common problem: acne
One of the most common skin ailments is acne. It is linked to hormonal changes and is common in adolescence, although it can appear at other stages in life. The disease emerges because of excess secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands. This plugs up follicles and leads to formation of pimples and blackheads.

Although acne comes in different levels of gravity the most important thing to avoid is letting the pimples get infected. The first way to do this is with rigorous hygiene, frequent but not excessive, and the use of products designed specifically to fight acne.

Keeping hair away from your face so that the skin does not get dirty and avoiding touching pimples will help solve the problem. The sun is generally beneficial for acne, although sometimes it can backfire. Eating habits can also affect acne, so it is a good idea to follow
a balanced and varied diet. There is not need to cut certain items out of your diet altogether.

Hives, allergues and eczema
Hives are also common. Redness, itching and bumps on the skin are common symptoms of this disease. The causes are frequently linked to factors such as cold or heat. They can also arise as a reaction to a indigestion of certain foods or medicine, and can even be a symptom of psychological problems. Hives are more common among young women, and although the ailment is unleashed quickly, it can go into remission in just a few hours. The best way to prevent is avoiding the unleashing factor if you know what factor it is. In some cases the use of antihistamines is recommended.

Eczema is related to allergies. Stress acts as a factor in this disease, which is characterized by itching and flaky skin.

The most serious diseases
Stress also influences some kinds of psoriasis. This disease affects 8 of every 1,000 people. It is produced by a too-swift renovation of the skin. This does not allow dead cells
to fall away gradually. Instead they fall away the way associated with psoriasis. Besides stress, light cold and some infections and overuse of alcohol can aggravate this disease. Exercise, relaxation techniques, oat baths and moderate exposure to the sun, aside from the medication, help ease the condition.

Diet is essential for protecting the skin from disease. It should be rich in vitamin C, which is present in fruits and vegetables; vitamin E, which
is found in seeds, vegetables oils and nuts; and pro-vitamin A or beta-carotenes, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables that are yellow or orange.

Medicinal plants able to ease many problems also help sep skin healthy. Thus aloe has healing properties that are good for burns. This also goes for pot marigold. St. John's wart, lime tree and llant�n have anti-inflammatory properties.

If you have sensitive skin, prone to dryness and to allergies, it is best to take it easy on industrialized-style baked goods, avoid excessive sweat, use pH neutral soap and wear clothes made of fabric that breathes.