Love Your Body

Our bodies are miraculous in what they are able to accomplish, from running a marathon to giving birth. And yet, we can't help but criticize ourselves and compare our appearance to others. Enough! There are many things you can do to keep your body healthy. There are also things about the way you look that you just can't change. Here's how to tell the difference.

Control: Acne

Thought you outgrew acne? Dermatologist Erin Welsh, of Dallas, says that the same hormones that cause teenage breakouts can lead to spots before your period or during pregnancy. She suggests that women who are not pregnant use a 2 percent salicylic acid face wash and pHisoderm's daily moisturizer (drugstores; $8). Pregnant women, she advises, should try "vitamin A derivatives or antibiotics applied topically to the skin to quiet inflammation and bacteria."

Can't Control: Stretch Marks

Your mother passed on more than her beautiful blue eyes. The tendency toward stretch marks is purely genetic. "Stretching of the skin due to rapid change in size -- such as that from growth spurts, weight gain, or pregnancy -- can tear the deeper layer of the skin," says Dr. Welch. Make marks less noticeable with Keri's Stretch Mark Minimizer (drugstores; $16).