There is no cure for the common birthday but there is hope.

Although you can’t alter the march of time, you can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin through the foods you eat and the lifestyle you lead.

1. Thou shall drink large amounts of water on a daily basis. Drinking water is essential to the health of the skin because it sustains the health of the cells and aids in the elimination of toxins and waste. It is estimated that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. So how much water should you drink? Anywhere from 8-10 eight ounce glasses a day and more if intense physical activity is performed.

2. Thou shall take their vitamins. Vitamins nourish the skin in a variety of ways. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that has been shown to improve the skin’s elasticity and thickness. Vitamin C helps fight the aging process by promoting collagen production in the dermal tissues, keeping the skin healthy and firm. Vitamins D & E help repair damaged skin and protect it from the harmful effects of the sun.

3. Thou shall keep your hands and other things off your face. Pressure or friction from rubbing or touching your face or wearing hats or even using a non-handset free phone can contribute to acne breakouts. Dirty pillows or makeup brushes can also transfer bacteria to the face. Keeping hands and items that touch the face clean can help keep the skin from breaking out more.

4. Thou shall avoid drugs, excessive alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking. Heavy alcohol consumption dehydrates the skin and expands the blood vessels and capillaries creating a flushed appearance and unsightly red splotches. Smoking not only causes cancer but has also been linked to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin because nicotine decreases blood circulation, which over time has a dulling effect on the skin. As far as drugs are concerned we have two words: Keith Richards.

5. Thou shall exercise regularly. Exercise daily if possible even if it means just talking a short walk around the block. Remember that physical exertion helps shed unwanted pounds, makes you feel better about yourself and aids in the elimination of toxins from your skin when you sweat.

6. Thou shall eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The skin is your body's largest organ so what's good for you will also be good for your skin. Excessive iodides in salt, MSG, cheese, processed and packaged foods, especially fast foods can irritate acne. Eating a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits seem to help those with acne experience fewer breakouts.

7. Thou shall not sweat the small stuff. Stress causes hormonal fluctuations and increased sebum production. Unfortunately, when we have a big event and want to look our best, blemishes ironically appear because of the increased stress level and sebum production.

8. Thou shall avoid excess exposure to the sun. Continual exposure to the sun results in the formation of more and more damaging free radicals. Although not visible at first, or even for years, the routine damage to the cells eventually accumulates, resulting in wrinkles, skin discoloration spots and rough textured skin.

9. Thou shall try and get plenty of sleep. When it comes to sleep less is definitely not more. If you are not getting enough sleep (6-8 hours a night) it will show so try and squeeze in a little extra sleep whenever possible even if it means taking a brief nap during the day to recharge your batteries.

10. Thou shall smile and laugh as much as possible. Last but certainly not least please try and smile and laugh out loud as often as you can. A smile and a positive attitude makes everyone look more attractive.