The skin is an amazing organ—without it, the body would not exist in the form we know today. Not only is it one of the organs that others can see, as the largest organ it provides a big impact on your overall health and wellbeing. It serves as shield from the outside world, preventing water, microbes, dirt, and other particulates from entering the body and the blood stream. It regulates your body temperature by allowing you to sweat off any excess heat and shiver during the cold to help the blood move faster. It harnesses the energy of the sun and converts it into vitamin D – your skin can actually create energy on the highest level!
I am in complete awe when it comes to the power of the skin. My guess is that if you are a woman above the age of 20, you share my awe and are careful to take care of your skin. It is very desirable to have natural glowing skin that is well hydrated, firm, and elastic. We don’t mind having a few lines and wrinkles, as long as they come from natural expressions and ageing, and not from eating junk food or smoking.
The skin is also a window into your body’s state of health. What you eat and drink, your digestion, your liver’s ability to detox, your levels of stress and sleep patterns, all of these will impact and show themselves through the appearance of your skin. This means that your daily routine, and how you treat your internal biology is what comes through in your physical appearance – and vice versa. The way you treat your skin can impact your body’s ability to function. That’s why the quality of the cream in the jar matters a lot.
Your skin works hard for you, so you should work hard for it. Love your skin by feeding it healthy foods and making healthy choices and your skin will show its love for you in return.
Here are 10 ways to show your skin that you love and appreciate what it does for you:
1. CLEANSE
You don’t want to clog your skin’s pores with dirt, bad lotions or unhealthy make up. When you close the pores, they will become irritated and cause inflammations in the forms of pimples and bumps. Clean your skin with a mild natural foam or cleansing lotion and wash your face with water. Do this every morning and evening, using a mist spray afterwards will reinvigorate your skin.
2. EXFOLIATE
This is a very important, but an often forgotten, treatment. You can use a natural mild exfoliator such as glycolic or lactic acid. My current favorites are from REN and Lotion P50 1970 from Biologique Recherche, but you can always find alternatives (as long as they remain natural). You can also exfoliate with balms and powders derived from oatmeal or almonds, for example Dr. Haushka Cleansing Cream or other cleaning products that use acai or seed powders. Try a few different ones and find your own personal favorite. Don’t forget to exfoliate the whole body and not just your face. Use a salt and sugar scrub with coconut oil and add your favorite essential oil. My favorite oils are made from ylang ylang and lemon.
3. NOURISH
Oils and serums derived from natural and organic plant oils do wonders for dry and (ironically) oily skin. Pure acai oil, Moroccan argan oil and rosehip seed oil are all great forms of nourishment. Use these oils after your morning and evening cleanses while your face is still humid. Use coconut oil on the rest of your body.
Make sure that you consume oils and fats in your diet. These components feed the fat layer of the skin (the hypodermis). The healthier your hypodermis is the more filled and firmer your skin will appear. Great sources for these oils and fats are butter from grass fed cows, organic coconut oil, cacao butter, and olive oil. Remember, eating these fats will not make you fat! Avoiding fat in your diet will reflect poorly on your skin!
4. HYDRATE
I love serums and hyaluronic acid gel as these are the most hydrating products available. The second layer of your skin produces it on its own hyaluronic acid, but there is no harm in giving it a helping hand. Hyaluronic acid binds with water and functions as natural filler in your face, which is what you want. Make sure that you drink at least 2 liters of water a day, as water is crucial for a healthy biology.
5. FEED
Make sure to use lotions and creams. You don’t have to have specific creams for day and night purposes, just make sure to use ones that are derived from natural and organic sources. However, if you suffer from very dry skin, you might want to use an oil rich lotion on your body in the evenings. Just make sure that your lotions don’t include any hormone disturbing substances like parabens. This is important when moisturizing the body, as the surface area is so much larger than the face.
Structure and sculpture your face by including building components in your diet – Proteins! Fish, meat from organic grass-fed animals, eggs, whey and hemp protein powder, almonds and nuts – all of these are excellent sources of protein that your skin will thank you for.
6. BOOST
Vitamins, antioxidants, and skinceuticals are very helpful because of their anti-inflammatory effects. Make sure you include vitamin A, C, D, E (as mixed tocopherols) and beta-carotene when you select your skin care products. They can also be found in extracts from green tea and pomegranate seeds. You can also help to achieve glowing skin by taking supplements such as the antioxidants found in your day creams. I also recommend turmeric capsules.
Your diet should also include a variety of colorful greens and vegetables. Different colors communicate differently within the body, and your skin needs them all to work at its best.
7. TREATS
Spoil your skin and treat yourself to a professional facial every 6 weeks. Face massages work as natural facelifts and they feel wonderful! If you want to go even deeper, you should check out Meta Therapy treatments.
8. LOVE
Food can talk to all three layers of the skin. The skin and body love it when it is able to communicate and function with synergy. Eat some words of love by including the following in your diet: blueberries, pomegranate, spinach, parsley, turmeric, butter from grass fed sources, coconut oil, salmon, almonds, and kefir.
9. DETOX
A logical step towards beautiful skin is to have a clean biology. If you don’t have healthy digestion, functioning detoxification of the liver and kidneys, then it will show on your face. Constipation and bad skin go hand in hand, so aim to have to easy bowel movements a day. It helps to consumer water, fiber, and probiotics – it’s even better to live a sugar free lifestyle. If you are having trouble achieving an optimally functional biology, you should consider using the detox program from my book, “10 Years Younger in 10 Weeks”
10. REST
Sleep and relax are so much more important than most people think. Slow down, you don’t always have to be in a rush and take time to focus on mindful breathing every day. Make sure that you are getting at least 7 hours of quality sleep every night. Go beyond and practice a form of yoga daily. Join a class or do some at home in the evenings. This will make it easier for you to fall asleep and get fully rested. Exercise and making love have the same effect – stay active for the beauty of your skin!
