Proper skin care is essential to every person with diabetes and forms the foundation of improved overall health for the rest of your body. Using clinically superior Diabetic Pure Skin Therapy® products are certainly a great start, but there are other, equally important skin and body care steps to follow.

If you're a diabetic (or know someone who is), here are 11 common-sense steps to help avoid skin problems and simply feel better in your own skin every day:

1. Monitor your blood sugar daily. High blood glucose levels dry your skin and increase the risk of serious infection.
2. Every day, examine and moisturize skin. Pay special attention to feet, toes, legs, knees, elbows, fingers and face.
3. Keep skin clean. Take quick showers in lukewarm water with moisturizing soaps or mild cleansing lotions. Avoid long hot baths.
4. Use a broad-spectrum, UVA-UVB sunscreen daily to avoid sunburn and protect from harmful ultraviolet light.
5. Treat cuts right away. Wash with soap and water then gently pat with hydrogen peroxide. Avoid skin-irritating antiseptics, alcohol or iodine. Cover with sterile gauze. Use doctor-recommended antibiotic cream. For a major cut, burn or infection, consult a physician.
6. Take good care of your feet. Check skin daily for corns, calluses, blisters and cuts. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes that fit well. Check for foreign objects before putting on shoes.
7. Make sure you diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
8. Don't smoke or use tobacco products, which reduce circulation to skin and feet.
9. Exercise moderately to promote good circulation to your skin.
10. Drink at least 10 glasses of pure water daily for proper skin hydration.
11. See your physician, diabetes specialist or podiatrist for regular skin exams.