By:   Kristen Arnett

Beauty Expert Kristen Arnett's 10 Commandments for Younger, Healthier Skin

1. Thou shalt drink often of pure water.
You may already know that the body’s composition is 2/3 water. If you skimp on replenishing your cells with the necessary hydration, they will effectively shrivel up and function slower, which will make you look older, faster.

The standard rule is eight, 8oz glasses of water per day, based on an average for both men and women. But if you have more body mass, exercise a lot, if you're pregnant or there is any other factor that takes you out of the “average” range, then you probably need more water each day. The good news is that water is cheap with powerful benefits. So let your cup runneth over!

2. Thou shalt protect thyself from the sun.
Yes, let there be light (and plenty of it), but put on a hat and some sunblock when directly exposed. From skin damage to cancer, there are some pretty good reasons not to fry yourself for the sake of a tan or to ignore the seemingly innocuous grey winter days.

For fair-skinned folks, damage can begin after just 15 minutes of sun exposure. While it’s important to get healthy amounts of sunlight for its vitamin D, you do your skin a favor by getting it during off-peak hours, before 11am and after 2pm. Even on cloudy days protection can be important as UVA rays, the ones which cause aging, are penetrating the atmosphere and possibly your skin.

3. Thou shalt not cake on the makeup.
Somewhere in Texas there is undoubtedly a list of beauty commandments that contradicts this notion. Verily, I say unto any followers of the “pancaking” sect: Coating the face in a layer of foundation or packing on powder dulls the skin, and it often settles into fine lines which accentuate the appearance of age. Many foundations also accelerate the aging process because their formulations keep the skin from “breathing” properly, which is necessary for the overall health of the skin.

4. Thou shalt rest plentifully.
The less sleep you get, the less chance your body has to renew and regenerate during the nighttime. If you're sleep deprived, or not getting the 'right' kind of uninterrupted sleep, you will look tired... and old.

Generally, the hours before midnight are the most important because there is a greater propensity for deep, non-REM sleep. Going to bed late and sleeping in late won’t compensate for those lost pre-midnight zzzz’s. The ideal amount of sleep is considered to be 8 hours, but the point is to let your body have enough time to do its crucial repair and refreshing work …that’s why we say, “get your beauty sleep.”

5. Thou shalt remove thy makeup every night.
If you are skipping cleansing your face at night, you are hosting a bacteria fest. Mascara and eyeliner residue can cause eye irritation and possibly infection. Foundation residue can clog pores. Dirt, pollution and other grime from being out in the world are not doing you any favors either. If you aren’t changing your pillowcase regularly, then bacteria is piling up there, too. So take 60 seconds and get your face naked before bed.