Guide to Holistic Skin Care

A holistic approach considers the person as a whole, including the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. It means looking for the root cause as opposed to only focusing on treating the symptoms. With beauty care, skin health begins with understanding the connection between the products that you put on your skin and the impact your lifestyle and nutrition choices have on your overall well-being. You can place an expensive anti-aging cream on your face, but it's only treating one part of the skin - the outer layer, and only temporarily. We must nurture the health of your skin from the inside as well.

Below is an essential guide to holistic skincare to help you on your journey to optimal skin health.

Choose organic natural skincare. Sixty percent of the products that we apply topically have the potential to be absorbed in the bloodstream and circulate to our cells. When we don't choose to nourish our skin with the healthiest available ingredients, we develop hormonal imbalances. Endocrine disruptors are a class of toxins found in beauty, personal, and household products that can cause havoc in our bodies. Skin issues like acne, dryness, ageing can all be caused by toxic ingredients. By opting for organic natural skincare, you are choosing products free from toxic herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers.

Consume nutrient-rich foods. Food is medicine, and it's the most important resource that we have to enhance our beauty and increase our overall wellness. When your skin glows, it's usually a result of your healthy and well-balanced diet. Focus on antioxidant-rich foods to fight inflammation and break down collagen. Eat sweet potatoes, carrots, citrus fruits, kale, avocados, and almonds to get your daily dose of vitamin A, C, and E.

Hydration is key. Drinking half of our body weight in oz daily can improve everything from our circulation system to the elasticity of our skin. Proper hydration flushes toxins from our skin as it assists the liver in detoxification.

Movement. Moving your body can help ease stress and release feel-good hormones. Biking, yoga, running, a power walk and some sweat are what your skin needs. Sweating during exercise can help clear out the skin as it flushes out toxins. Regular exercise also improves circulation, blood flow and promotes better sleep.

Beauty sleep. Unhealthy sleeping habits result in dark circles, brain fog, weight gain, and dull-looking skin. The body responds to sleep deprivation by elevating cortisol and stress hormones which can lead to inflammation. When you sleep, your internal systems work to regenerate at the cellular level. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night!

Ditch the stress. Life without stress feels impossible but finding ways to reduce this emotional rollercoaster isn't. Find time during the day to practice deep breathing exercises, mediation, or yoga. Setting ten minutes aside to practice these daily rituals is enough to lower your stress. Maybe there are some routine changes that you need to make, like waking up 20 minutes earlier to give yourself more time in the morning or preparing your lunch the evening ahead. Or maybe, it's a relationship where you need to create some boundaries.

Do what you love. This one seems simple, but it seems to be the last thing that gets checked off our to-do lists. Take time each day to engage in activities that you enjoy. Go for a massage to ease muscle tension, put on a face mask to increase that glow, lay in that Epsom salt bath to promote relaxation. Whatever it is, do it! Doing what you love benefits your mental well-being, your physical body, and your soul.

Sugar isn't your friend. Refined sugar aggravates and inflames your skin, thereby accelerating the ageing process. It can also trigger conditions such as acne and eczema. By cutting this out of your diet, you're moving towards a healthier, more vibrant complexion.

Prioritize gut health. A healthy gut communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones, which helps maintain general health and well-being. Consider adding probiotic supplements and foods into your diet to increase the healthy bacteria in your gut. Kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, and kimchi are all great choices. These foods increase collagen production, hydrate skin, and reduce fine lines.

Be kind to yourself. Only you can dictate how you feel. Negative thought patterns like "My skin is embarrassing, and I hate my acne" to "I hate my body, I will never meet someone" should go down the drain so that you can fill your mental space with wholesome, positive thinking patterns that make you feel and look better. A great way to do this is by practicing daily affirmations. The more you practice this method, the more your mind will choose positivity over negativity. Thus, helping your overall health and well-being.