BEAUTIFY YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT
EIGHT SKIN BEAUTIFYING TIPS
1. Stay Hydrated
With the skin being such a large organ, when you are dehydrated it really shows up, and dulls your natural glow! If you want to have softer, brighter skin, the easiest place to start is by ensuring you are well hydrated! This ones seems like a given, but many of us just don’t drink enough. The amount of water you need varies with the quality of your diet, your activity level and body size, but a good place to start is with six to eight -8oz glasses of purified water per day. Your skin and body will thank you!
2. Eat good fats to improve skin moisture
Your skin health relies on the health of your cells, and each and every cell in the body is composed of a lipid (fat) bi-layer. Consuming and completely absorbing good fats from our diet is crucial for glowing skin, as fats help to provide moisture. 0mega 3 fats are especially beneficial for the ability to fight inflammation and for their beautifying properties. Some excellent sources are: chia seeds, ground flax seeds, walnuts, wild fish, other raw nuts and seeds, avocados and algae.
3. Go Leafy Green
We all know our greens are good for us, but when it comes to your skin, these veggie powerhouses are the key to glowing from the inside out! Leafy greens like kale, chard, spinach, mixed greens and romaine contain vitamins such as A, C and K. These vitamins combined contribute to creating healthy oils in the skin for hydration and repair. Leafy greens are also great for the digestive system because of the type of fibre they provide, and healthy digestion and proper elimination are major factors in healthy skin as well! So check out your plate at each meal and make sure there is a big portion of greens!
4. Eat your water!
Most vegetables and fruits contain a good amount of water that helps hydrate the skin. Some super stars in this category are: Cucumbers, Celery, and Apples. Cucumbers and celery, specifically, contain an ingredient called silica which enhances moisture and elasticity in the skin. Apples contain a high amount of pectin which is a rich source of soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is a fibre that is considered “water loving”, making apples especially hydrating for the skin! This type of fibre is also healthy for your digestive system among other health benefits + apples make a super easy on-the-go snack!
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is very healing to the skin when applied topically, but did you know it can also be used internally? It is loaded with vitamins A, C, E, Folic Acid and the B vitamins- all helpful for having healthy, glowing skin. Aloe is very cleansing and healing for the digestive tract too, which is a big bonus! A great place to add in aloe juice to your diet is in smoothies or through juicing. Start with 1 tbsp and work up to 2 tbsp, it can taste a little bitter so a little goes a long way. You can find aloe vera juice in supplement form in your local health food store.
6. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help keep our cells healthy and prevent harmful free radicals from forming in the body that lead to premature aging and cell deformation. They are an absolute necessity for beautiful skin and health from the inside out! Vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are considered antioxidants as well as plant chemicals such as flavonoids and carotenoids. Great sources of antioxidants are colourful fruits and vegetables, I especially love dark berries as a high source, as well as green tea, raw nuts and seeds, avocados, wheat germ and one that you may not expect, clove ( I have a clove doterra essential oil that I use in some recipes to up the antioxidant value)! Ensuring you eat a variety of plants and fruits in all colours is a great way to make sure you are getting enough of the various kinds of antioxidants for your skin and overall health.
7. Clean Body Care Products
What you are putting ON your body ends up IN your body as it is absorbed through the skin! Cleaning up your body care products is essential for reducing toxins that can be harmful to your health and your skin. An amazing resource to get your started on the path to clean products is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep user guide http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/users-guide-to-skin-deep/. You can also start making your own body care products with all natural ingredients and essential oils! Check out my DIY Coconut Shea Body Butter! Super easy recipe here!
8. Avoid dehydrating substances
Sugar, caffeine, processed foods and overcooked foods can be dehydrating and when foods are overcooked you are cooking a lot of the moisture out of them. Toxic foods like trans fats, sugar and over-processed oils contribute to free radicals and damage skin cells and speed up the skin’s aging process. Avoiding these foods and drinking more water if you have consumed caffeine is a good place to start.
In addition to these eight beautifying tips, it is important to note that a healthy digestive system and proper elimination is key to a vibrant body and glowing skin! The ability of your digestive system to absorb nutrients, and your elimination system to get rid of toxins, makes all the difference in the proper functioning of your body. For more info on balancing these systems for optimal performance and improving your health you can book a session with our Nutritionist Natalie in office or online here!
Start enjoying the skin you are in regardless of the season!
