The real secret to beauty is no secret at all, she believes. Eating healthy foods will provide the nourishment your skin needs, from the inside out. It is the first step to soft, supple skin and a glowing, radiant you, adds Ali.

For overall beauty, Ali advises healing skin by giving it more nutrients and fewer toxins,  She also recommends eating whole, unprocessed, organic foods like whole grains, dark leafy greens and fruits. Also drink plenty of water and get enough fibre to help flush out toxins.

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients give the skin a desired youthful glow.  The skin is under constant assault from external factors.

"To get the skin you've always dreamed of, devote some time each day to getting the necessary nutrients to stay hydrated and fight the signs of aging," Ali says.

Here are some tips that will help you achieve your goal:

Drink plenty of water: the exact amount will vary from day to day.  Howeve it's agreed that hydration comes from pure, clean water - not soda or fruit drinks.  You should aim to drink six to eight glasses a day.

Sip green tea daily.  This contains polyphenols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that protect and benefit the skin. Enjoy one or two cups per day.

Avoid carbohydrates. Foods such as cookies, pies, cakes, candies and pastries can increase acne breakouts.

Nourish your skin by eating healthy foods. You can protect, repair and slow the aging process.

Natural recipes:

Using homemade skincare recipes can give the best results over time. Ali picks out tips that have proved to give good results, when used on a regular basis. So, start to pamper your skin with these fruit caring masks:

Grapes mask for sensitive skin:

Peel and mash some whole grapes. Strain the mix and apply what is left in a sieve on the face. Gently massage the face, and the mask's exfoliating properties will start to act. Rinse with cold water to close the pores. Grapes are rich in alphahydroxy acid, so they are a great way to remove dead skin cells.

Watermelon:

Deseed two slices of watermelon. Mash the slices and apply on the face. Leave on the face for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Watermelon is a strong antioxidant that cleanses the face thoroughly.

Carrot mask:

Grate a carrot and mix well with a spoonful of honey. Apply to the face and leave for 15 minutes. Wash and you'll feel the difference after regular use.

Punch of pineapple:

Mash a slice of pineapple  and mix with the juice of an orange or lemon. Apply the ingredients with wheat flour to the face and neck. Scrub off after some time, and you'll have fresh, smooth skin.

Guava grace:

Mash a guava and stir well with a mixture of oatmeal and lemon juice. Apply to the face for about 20 minutes and wash off to see a healthy glow.

Healthy honey treat:

Mix a spoonful of honey with the white of an egg and a grated potato. Apply to the face and let dry. Wash off with cold water and feel the magical freshness.

Sunburn

NO DOUBT, glowing sun is the first gift of summer, that gives us that feel good factor and wonderful natural Vitamin D. However, dermatologist - Samia Ali advises us to limit our exposure and avoid the hottest times of the day when the sun is at its highest. "Long exposure to ultra-violet rays (UV) burns the skin and cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots, rough, dry skin and even more serious problems such as skin cancer," she adds.

For extra sun protection points, Ali recommends eating plenty of fruits, such as cherries, nectarines and watermelons. "These juicy treats cool your mouth and shield your skin from warm weather," she said. The unique protective benefits of fruits may boost the skin's natural resilience against wrinkles and sun damage, particularly cherries. According to Ali, they have a good catharsis effect on the kidneys detoxification.

"Still, the most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun," says Ali. Tanning can cause common skin problems caused by long exposure to direct sunlight, including sunburn. "Sunburn varies according to skin type," Ali explains. "Fair- skinned people are more susceptible than those with a darker complexion."

For complete sun protection, Ali recommends the following:

Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, which is when the sun's rays are at their strongest.

Wear cotton clothes to prevent sunburn. Try to reduce the amount of skin exposed to the sun, and wear wide-brimmed hats.

Lip care is important. Always wear a sun- protective lip balm.

Apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen, 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating, or after being in water.

Don't forget the sunscreen: Make sure it has a high SPF value and that it guarantees protection against UVA and UVB rays.

If you are going to spend most of the day outdoors, remember to re-apply the sunscreen every two to three hours.

Try to balance the pH of your skin, since the summer sun disturbs the skin's natural pH balance.

Forget what you did last summer with your skin. Pamper your skin the right way this summer.

Al-Ahram Weekly#LISA