A Guide to Holistic Skincare

The secret to bright, dewy, plump and youthful skin is to work on the inside of your body, complemented by a skin care routine using clean, toxic free products which suit your skin type. The condition of your skin says a lot about what’s going on the inside of you, both mentally and physically!

Here are 9 ways to improve the condition of your skin:

1. A Nutritious Diet

A diet rich in antioxidants, chlorophyll and micronutrients will keep your skin hydrated, dewy and brighter. Avoid all stimulants, conventional sweets & chocolate, refined carbohydrates and sugars, fried food, and artificial sweeteners. Choose healthy fats, herbs & high quality proteins. It’s always a good idea to consult an experienced Naturopath or Nutritionist to guide you based on the current state of your health and wellbeing due to potential allergies and bio-individuality. Conventional dairy can be a huge trigger for many people. 

2. Fluid Intake

Clean Filtered Water helps flush toxins out of the body, that would normally cause inflammation and blemishes. It also assists in transporting nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, and preventing dehydration, which can cause premature ageing. How much you should drink will depend on your lifestyle, but the average amount recommended is usually 2 litres a day. Freshly made juices are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients, such as phytochemicals. They are better consumed immediately. It is one of the most effective ways to fill the body with nutrients, especially during cleansing and detoxification times. Green juices are best, as they are rich in chlorophyll, which helps to purify the blood, alkalize, build red cells, oxygenate, detox, and heal the body.

3. Exercise

It is the easiest way to get lymphatic fluids moving and a great way to encourage the elimination of toxins through sweating. Regular activity also dramatically reduces our stress and anxiety levels. Why is this important? Stress is directly linked to most inflammatory conditions in the body, and that includes wrinkles, eczema and rosacea, among few.

4. Sleep

We all have a natural rhythm called the circadian rhythm. The pineal gland regulates it. This particular gland, affected by the absence or presence of light, plays a huge role in hormone production, body temperature, and rejuvenation. The lack of natural daylight and sleep can lead to fatigue, depression, hair loss, skin disorders, and suppressed immune function. The sun's UVA rays are considered the least harmful, and exposure to natural sunlight during the day, and darkness during the night is highly recommended. Studies have shown that UVA-1 therapy is an effective treatment for patients with atopic dermatitis. It has also been used for different connective tissue disorders. 

5. Hygiene

If your skin is in constant contact with synthetic materials during the day and synthetic pillow cases at night, this could be triggering skin conditions. Regularly clean your pillow cases (silk and cotton are great alternatives), hijabs, caps and makeup brushes to avoid the build up and spreading of bacteria. 

6. Skin Care & Face Yoga

Muscles on your face can become lazy. Following the correct skincare regime paired with great natural organic products will do wonders for the skin. Regular facials, face yoga and acupuncture, which involve massage and toning by working the face muscles will boost circulation and elasticity. Use clean and natural products where possible. Toxic cleansers, toners and moisturisers will gradually affect the quality, radiance and elasticity of your skin. Toxins are also absorbed into the bloodstream. Natural clays and kitchen ingredients make wonderful face masks, helping exfoliation and detox.

7. Lymphatic Drainage

The lymphatic system is essential for both tissue repair as well as controlling inflammation. It cleanses the fluid surrounding our cells by ridding the body of toxins and waste products. Thus we have to help it drain properly, even if we exercise daily. It can be achieved with dry skin brushing before a shower, bouncing on a rebounder 20-30 min a day, sweating in a sauna, or with herbal remedies.

8. Herbal Remedies & Supplements

Working alongside an alternative health practitioner is a great choice if you're suffering from severe acne or inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea. You will need to address any underlying health conditions, get to the root cause & ensure your detox pathways are unblocked. 

Together, both of you can discuss anti-inflammatory herbs which help drain the lymphatic system, detoxify, cleanse and purify, in addition to any necessary supplements. These include echinacea, dandelion, devils slaw, goldenseal, nettle, EFA’s, Vitamin B complex, EFA’s, zinc and probiotics.

9. Deep Breathing & Stress Management

High levels of stress will increase the production of cortisol, which can trigger oil production, thereby clogging pores. Many studies have shown the positive correlation between stress, wrinkles, dry skin and rashes. 

Deep breathing is key for stress management but also for increasing blood flow to the face, nourishing the skin with fresh oxygenated blood, improving vibrancy.

Unplugging from our busy world especially during prayer, good company, a morning rhythm centred around self-care, meditation and spending lots of  

time in nature will all help manage stress levels.

-----

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.

Sources include:

• Chen Y, et al. (2014). Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. DOI: 
  doi.org/10.2174/1871528113666140522104422
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - "effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open label, single arm pilot study" by Y. Yun, July 2013
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836431/
• "Prescription for nutritional healing" by P. A. Balch, CNC
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/