Skincare Questions Choosing cosmetics Facial skin cleansers Face lifts for speed? What beauty products Get your skincare questions answered :

A major concern for a lot of people is skincare - or rather the lack of it, so if you're looking to take proper care of your skin, you'll want to get the FAQs.

We mean, of course, the answers to all the most frequently asked questions that relate to taking care of your skin, cleaning, moisturising and generally keeping up good practises like not exposing to excessive sun.

So what are the FAQs about skincare? What answers do you need to feel confident about your skin care regime? And are good skin care practices easy to fit into your current lifestyle?

With our FAQs, we've answered the questions that are most commonly asked, hopefully to make your life simpler and easier :

1. Does poor hygiene cause Acne?
   No. Contrary to popular opinion, acne isn't cause by poor hygiene, although lack of good washing habits might make a case of acne worse. Acne is mostly caused by a combination of hormones called androgens, which cause the pores to enlarge and produce too much oil. The oil then mixes with dead skin cells and natural bacteria on the skin's surface and clogs the opening to the pore. Other common causes of acne include stress, genetics, and over-washing of the face, which damages the skin.
   
   
2. Are there specific foods that you can eat to improve your skin condition?
   Yes. There are certain foods that are especially good for repairing damage and encouraging the production of new skin cells. Oily fish, like salmon or tuna, is great because it contains fatty acids that help build connective tissues. You can also get these fatty acids through nuts like walnuts or brazil nuts. Foods rich in vitamin e are also very good for your skin. Vitamin e is found in almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, chard, blueberries, and fresh olives.
   
   
3. Does stress have an effect on your skin condition?
   Definitely. Stress is a major cause and/or accelerator of many skin ailments. When you are stressed, your body produces high levels of adrenalin. This is to better enable you to deal with trauma. However, if you suffer from chronic stress, this adrenalin collects in your body and becomes a toxin. The effects of prolonged stress can frequently be seen on the skin in conditions like acne, rashes, dry skin, flaking, redness and itching. It can also aggravate chronic skin conditions like chronic acne, psoriasis and excema.
   
   
4. Does drinking more water effect skin condition?
   Yes, proper hydration can work wonders for the skin. Your body is largely made up of water, and adequate hydration is required for your skin to function properly. Nutritionists recommend up to 8 fluid ounces of water a day for maximum health. Make sure not to try and get your recommended amount in only one or two sittings. Spread your intake out over the course of the day for maximum results.