Dr. Frank's Tips on Maintaining Healthy Skin and Reducing Wrinkles It's your biggest organ -- take care of it!

By Frank Spinelli, M.D.

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1. Avoid the sun if possible. If you are in the sun, protect your eyes with sunglasses and wear sunscreen.

2. Drink plenty of water and get an adequate amount of sleep. Water both hydrates cells and helps them to mobilize toxins out of the body while maintaining nutrients. Lack of sleep produces the hormone cortisol, which breaks down skin cells. Sleeping promotes growth hormone production, which helps retain the skin’s elasticity.

4. Eliminate caffeine from your diet. Caffeine dehydrates skin. Consider replacing it with cocoa, which contains high levels of two dietary flavanols -- epicatchin and catechin -- that make skin feel and look smoother.

5. Moisturize your skin daily. Avoid overwashing your face with soap. Use a cleanser instead and moisturize to protect skin from wrinkles.

6. Sleep on your back. Sleeping on your stomach and side can etch wrinkles into your face that will not diminish over time.

7. Check out omega- 3 fatty acids. Salmon (and other fish) as well as walnuts (and other nuts) are high in this essential fatty acid. Omega- 3 helps to maintain cell membranes by keeping harmful toxins out and allowing nutrients to enter cells.

8. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Blueberries and carrots are high in antioxidants and target free radicals, which are harmful to the skin.

9. Shave safely. Avoid skin irritation by pressing a warm wash cloth onto your face before shaving in order to soften hair. Never shave a dry face, and for best results shave after showering, preferably with a lotion or gel to keep the skin lubricated. Use a clean razor and shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse with warm water.

10. Stop smoking. Smoking causes the release of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.