In my mind summer, is the time when our skin is most vulnerable. Part of it is because we spend much more time outdoors exposed to the sun and the elements. The other part is that we wear fewer layers.
If you walk through the cosmetic aisle in any supermarket (including the more natural organic stores), you will find the shelves lined with bright jars that promise to smooth your wrinkles, moisturize, clean and protect your skin.
The number of different brands that promise to take care of your skin attest to our obsession with looking youthful. But if you take a closer look at the ingredients of all cosmetic products you will find that all of them contain chemical compounds that you most likely can not recognize. The reason for that is that all cosmetics that are produced in mass production factories and then distributed to warehouses and shops need to contain preservatives to prevent them from spoiling.
In my program Create Your Own Detox, I explain how what we apply to our skin penetrates into the blood circulation and increase the toxic overload in the body.
So what are your options?
The skin is not a separate organ but a mirror of your entire body’s health condition. Glowing skin is the outcome of a lifestyle that nourishes the body from the inside out.
3 lifestyle practices that support healthy skin:
Eat vegetables and fruits
Vegetables and fruits contain a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and other secondary metabolites that are essential for your well-being. Eating the rainbow means that you get a wide variety of these goodies.
For more detailed diet guidelines for healthy vibrant skin join in Inner Circle
Hydration
Many people when they think about hydration think about water alone. While I agree that drinking plenty of water and herbal tea (not sweetened) is important, I also consider using healthy fats as a form of hydration.
Coffee and alcohol are diuretics therefore they are dehydrating. You might want to consider the number of cups of coffee or alcohol that you consume daily.
Exercise
When you exercise you increase the circulation of blood in your body which leads to more nutrients reaching the cells of the body. You want to get hot and sweaty when you exercise. Another sign that you are doing it right is if you get red on your face.
Exercise does not need to involve a pricey membership in the gym or even leaving your home. Putting on loud music and dancing in your living room (or any other room) counts too.
3 skincare practices to adopt:
Clean your face with oil
I am not crazy about makeup (never used it in my life) mainly because I believe in natural beauty. But I am even more opposed to face cleansers that contain alcohol in them.
Your skin secretes oils that moisten it, create a physical barrier against pathogens, and is home to a plethora of immune cells that prevent pathogens from invading your body through the skin. Removing this important barrier leaves your skin exposed and vulnerable.
Another thing that lives on your skin is your skin microbiome. I know that the gut microbiome gets a lot of PR but your skin is home to skin microbes that are as important to your skin health and the immune system.
Dry brushing:
Dry brushing removes dead skin cells from your body and improves the flow of the lymphatic fluids that carry toxins from the cells so they can be eliminated.
To practice dry brushing you want to use a natural stiff-bristled bath or shower brush, preferably one with a long handle.
Other benefits of dry brushing are:
- Stimulating the sense of touch that leads to feeling safe and reducing stress.
- Stimulating digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Increasing healthy blood flow so nutrients can reach all cells of the body
- Increase muscle tone.
Which all result in glowing skin.
Moisturizing Your Skin
Now that your face is clean you want to use high-quality cream. The best way is of course to make your own cream. Rosemary Gladstar the godmother of American herbalism has an awesome tutorial on how to make face cream.
My recipe for the Sol cream is based on her recipe with some tweaks. You can find it in the herbal shoppe in three versions: Unscented, Lavender, and Rose.
Are you intrigued by the practical details of taking care of your skin?
Join the inner circle to learn more about:
- What foods will make your skin glow?
- What are the fats that you want to add to your diet to support healthy skin?
- What supplements can support your skin?
- How to choose the right oil for skin cleansing?
- And so much more
