Beauty is only skin-deep, right?

What does that mean, anyway? That beauty only penetrates as deep as your skin? I'm sure that whoever said this first meant that it's what's on the inside that counts, but here's how I read it: You won't be beautiful unless your skin is. You can wear the nicest clothes, the cutest accessories, and have the most expensive coiffure, but if your skin is dull, blotchy, crepe-ish, or just generally losing its luster, you won't fit the bill as a fashion icon. This is why skincare is of the utmost importance.

How to have beautiful skin:

1. No yo-yo dieting. If you're losing weight, do so gradually, and keep your skin moisturized with a lotion specific for weight loss, such as those from the Mama Mio skincare line. Never gain or lose weight quickly. Stretch marks and crepe-ing are unsightly and difficult to rid yourself of.

2. Eat right. This will help keep you from losing or gaining weight too quickly. Also, make sure you get the appropriate nutrients; Vitamin A (found as alpha- and beta-carotene in foods such as carrots, papaya, and spinach) is essential for healthy skin; Vitamins E and C are also necessary. Consume good fats such as those found in olive oil , flax seed, almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts in order to help your body absorb the nutrients it needs to keep your skin healthy.

3. Moisturize. My favorite general body lotions are those made by Say Yes to Carrots (with Dead Sea minerals and carrots), and any of the Burt's Bees line. I also love St Ive's Skin Firming moisturizer.

4. Treat. I've mentioned the Mama Mio line, and I'll mention it again. They design products for pregnant women and new mothers, so they understand the shrinking and growing of skin. And right now, Five Monkies is giving away one of their products-- the world-renowned Boob Tube, which will return your breasts to their former glory. Speaking of Glory, check out Soap and Glory's line of pun-tastic cellulite products.

5. Massage. If you're applying lotion, you're doing this anyway. Massage stimulates the skin to produce new cells and moves the lymph along. Remember never to pull at delicate skin such as on your face, neck, and decolletage.

6. Don't forget... Your neck, elbows, knees, hands, and decolletage. These commonly neglected areas are often the first to show the signs of aging, so remember them when you're spreading on the body butter.

After all, if beauty is only skin-deep... Shouldn't your skin be beautiful?