I recently had a friend ask me what she could do to improve her skin care regimen. I'm cautious about recommending anything for breakouts because the cause of the eruptions can vary so much, and thus the treatment changes with the cause. So I thought as an alternative, I would publish my daily skin care routine and some background on why I do what I do.

Chlorophyll - this is a stimulant for red blood cells and is highly alkalized to deliver oxygen to body tissue and cells, which aids in the generation of new healthy tissue. It is also a powerful cleansing agent which rids the body of toxins and promotes hemoglobin in the blood which is what gives our skin a healthy pink glow. I buy liquid chlorophyll and put a tablespoon in a glass of water once a day.

Water - I know, we've all heard this before but there's a reason that drinking lots of water is the most important step in every skin care regimen. If my skin is dry, sallow, or just not doing it for me my first thought is "how much water have I been drinking"? 9 times out of 10 it's not that much. Once I up my H2O intake my skin almost immediately perks up.

Bilberry - bilberry is a powerful antioxidant that you can buy in the vitamin/herbs section of most health food stores. Antioxidants help to protect our skin from free radicals that are found in the

atmosphere and do damage to our skin. Other good sources of antioxidants are strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and green tea. I take one bilberry pill every morning and eat a bowl of berries with some green tea for breakfast. Good for the face and the waist!

Exfoliate - everyone over the age of 16 should be exfoliating at least once a week. It helps to clean out your pores and slough off the dead skin sitting on the surface. I'm partial to one exfoliator in particular, and that's Tracie Martyn's Enzyme Exfoliant. It's a bit on the pricey side but I've used so many products out there and I've never encountered one that was as gentle and effective as this one. I use it twice a week and a jar lasts me about 6-7 months. I absolutely CANNOT live without this product!

Facials - can you have great looking skin without ever getting a facial? Yes. Will your skin look better if you work them into your budget and schedule every 1-3 months? Definitely! While getting a facial can seem like a luxury, it is really a great way to maintain your skin's radiance. And think about it, if you go to someone you trust regularly you have the ability to ask them about specific issues you're experiencing and get their expert opinion on how to deal with them. There are plenty of affordable, reputable spas out there that will give you great results without breaking your bank. Groupon sites like Bloomspot and Gilt City are also a great resource for discounted services.

Be beautiful!