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BODY TALKTHIS ISSUE: ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP? MARIE DUFFY GIVES US THE SCORE ON SPOTS AND REVEALS THE SECRETS TO GOOD SKINCARE.

BODY BITS:Did you know that your urine is

odourless... that is, until it comes out of your body.

Then you can detect the sharp whiff of

ammonia.

How many mornings have you glanced bleary-eyed into the mirror only to see a spot the size of Krakatoa glaring at you from the middle of your forehead? An angry red monster which has rocked up to make your life a misery (usually on a day when you don’t have the privilege of hiding under your duvet.)Almost eight in 10 teens (along

with many adults) are plagued with spots, triggering untold stress and embarrassment. But what causes them? Acne is the medical term for those unwanted blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. It occurs when the skin produces too much oil (sebum) in the sebaceous glands which are located in your hair follicles (or pores). These then become blocked,

trapping bacteria inside, which multiply, causing the swelling and redness. If your body reacts to the bacteria, the pimples will develop a pus-filled top. It typically happens during puberty when certain hormones, including testosterone, cause the sebaceous glands in the follicles to produce more sebum.Hormonal changes can also make

the cells in the epidermis (that’s the top layer of your skin) form a thicker layer, obstructing the flow of sebum. Spots can be worsened by stress. When we get stressed, our adrenal glands work overtime and release a hormone called cortisol. Too much cortisol stimulates extra testosterone. It’s a myth that spots are caused

by eating too much chocolate or not washing properly. However, if you want your complexion to look brighter, fresher and generally healthier, then a balanced diet and a good skincare routine can help.

FROM THE INSIDE OUTCare for your skin from the inside out by following these four golden rules.

• Eat your 5-a-dayFruit and veg contain powerful antioxidants. These protect against skin-cell damage caused by free radicals, which includes smoke, pollution and sunlight. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants. It’s known as ‘the great skin restorer’ and helps produce a 'scaffolding' tissue called collagen, which keeps the skin plump and smooth.

• Zap up your zincZinc helps to regulate the oil-producing glands in the skin. It also helps your skin heal. Zinc-rich foods include red meat, whole grains, wheatgerm and shellfish. Eating red meat once a week, and at least one serving of whole grains, should be enough to reach the recommended daily allowance. • Drink upEven mild dehydration will cause your skin to look dry, tired and grey. Drink at least six glasses of water a day to keep your body and skin hydrated.

• Get with the good fatsNot all fats are bad. Good fats – the type found in avocados, oily fish, nuts and seeds – provide essential fatty acids which act as a natural moisturiser for your skin. These fats also come packaged with a healthy dose of vitamin E (a vitamin many of us lack), which helps protect against skin damage. Nuts and seeds are known as ‘nutritional powerhouses’ – in other words, they contain a great deal of goodness within a relatively small amount.

A sin against skinJust as there are things we can do to help our skin, there are also things that can make it a whole lot worse. Smoking is one of them. When you light up a cigarette, your body is inundated with chemicals which play havoc with your complexion.

Externally the smoke dries the skin out. Internally it releases aging-free radicals and reduces blood flow. This depletes the stores of all the goodies your skin needs to look great, including oxygen and essential nutrients like vitamin C.

Dermatologists say that people who smoke can look up to a third older than those of the same age who lay off the ciggies.

What’s Your Skin Type?A vital step when caring for your complexion is learning your skin type. That way you can choose the appropriate skincare products that are designed for you.· Dry skin: flakes, or feels tight, rough, or itchy.· Oily skin: looks shiny or greasy, and your pores may be large.· Combination skin: is dry in some parts and oily in others.· Sensitive skin: stings, burns, or itches when it reacts to some cleansers and makeup.

“A spot the size of Krakatoa glares back at you in the mirror”

BODY BITS:Research involving a group of students at

the University of Illinois

revealed that those who had the fittest bodies also

had the fittest minds.

Cameron Diaz suffers with oily skin and breakouts Ricky Martin suffered with acne as a teenager