Healthy skin is always in fashion.
Skin is your body's largest organ. Proper skin care is important because your skin is the largest barrier you have against infection. Keeping skin healthy and moist helps keep this barrier strong and thriving.
When the skin gets dry or irritated by harsh soaps or chemicals, cracks in the skin can occur. Cracks in the skin make you more prone to infection. Healthy skin is smooth, with no breaks in the surface. It is warm and neither dry and flaky nor moist and wrinkled. Healthy skin is a mirror of a healthy body!
Steps for Healthy Body and Healthy Skin
Drink plenty of water. Water is an amazing beauty product and helps skin and our bodies function optimally. Even with a small amount of dehydration will take a noticeable toll on your skin, causing it to look dull, saggy and loose.
Eat foods with antioxidants. Antioxidants are the best resources your body has to fight disease and ward off aging by reducing damage and inflammation which increase wrinkle formation. Some of the best sources of antioxidants include blueberries, pomegranates, acai berries, spinach, nuts, dark chocolate, and organic green tea. (Did someone say chocolate? Score!)
Eat organic foods. Curtail the consumption of toxins by eating foods grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation.
Limit sun exposure. Small amounts of daily sun are beneficial to produce vitamin D, but too much sun will damage your skin. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses, use zinc or titanium dioxide sunscreen, and apply a natural skin lotion after a day in the sun.
Use non-toxic cleaning products. Most cleaning products are made up of a cocktail of chemicals, which are bad for your health and your kids' health. It is imperative to limit exposure to toxic chemicals because they are ingested and absorbed into your body. Natural cleaning products are effective cleaners and offer a pleasant, non-harmful aroma. (I love the fresh citrus smell of my natural cleaning products. They make me happy, the house smells great and I don't feel like I'm doing chores at all!)
Unleash your green thumb. Indoor pollution levels can be even higher than outdoor levels. A plant in your home or by your desk at work will act as an air filter and increase air quality.
Get enough Vitamin C. A diet rich in vitamin C leads to fewer wrinkles. Researchers have found that skin exposed to vitamin C for long periods of time can produce up to eight times more collagen!
Avoid sugar. Simple carbohydrates like sugar, white bread and soda, cause insulin levels to spike which leads to a burst of inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation causes enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.
Eat healthy fats. Dietary fats are essential to give your body energy and to support cell growth. They also help protect your organs and help keep your body warm. Incorporating foods such as avocados, olive oil, flax seeds, nuts and fish into your diet is important. The fatty acids are crucial for your skin to look youthful. Fats help your body absorb some nutrients and produce important hormones, too.
Opt for natural skin care products. Many skincare products contain harsh, synthetic chemicals. When choosing moisturizers or makeup, research their ingredients the best you can to confirm that they're free of damaging chemicals. (Rule of thumb... if I can't pronounce an ingredient I most likely don't want it on or in my body!)
Cleanse your body. A build up of toxins in the body due to the air, water and food causes damage to the body as well as aging. Detoxing by way of a juice cleanse is a good way for the body to be able to focus on energy production and eliminate toxins. Having a glass of water with squeezed lemon first thing in the morning is also very cleansing... and refreshing!
Begin a skin regimen. Wash daily, remove make-up each night, exfoliate regularly to remove dry skin and stimulate new growth, and be sure to slather on a natural, rich body lotion after every bath/shower to help trap water in the cells near the skin surface, which is great for hydration. Consider using a natural deodorant, free of synthetic chemicals that can trap toxins in the skin.
Get your beauty rest. Your skin rejuvenates and your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you snooze, which means you wake with a healthy glow. Skimp on sleep and your complexion can look drab, ashen, or lifeless. Make sure that you not only sleep for eight hours a night, but that it is good, quality sleep.
Relieve stress. High levels of stress will compromise your skin. Consider yoga or meditation. Diffuse calming oils in your home. Eliminate problematic people and activities from your life. Confide in your friends and openly talk to them about your worries and troubles.
Exercise regularly. It increases the circulation of oxygen and nutrients and releases toxins through sweat, which leads to clearer, firmer skin. And be sure to smile. It’s the best exercise for your face!
This list may be long, yet totally doable! And the rewards are immense. Making a few simple lifestyle choices can make a huge impact in your skin and overall health.
As always you can learn more about our all-natural wellness products at NaturallyInspiredScents.com.
Take care of your skin, and your skin will take care of you. Protecting yourself from harmful chemicals while getting enough sleep, relaxation and exercise will all help you maintain a healthy glow!