How to get glowing skin from the inside out
When it comes to skincare you will always achieve the best results if you establish your focus from the inside out.
That’s right, you could buy all the expensive creams and splurge on monthly facials but without attending to your inner landscape you will continue to struggle with skin issues. Whether it’s dryness, redness or frequent breakouts, persistent skin issues develop as a result of our body’s inner terrain. This is actually good news because it means there is so much we can do to promote healthy, glowing skin. Read below for my top five tips to improve your skin.
01. Drink enough water
Drinking enough water is crucial if you want to improve the overall look and health of your skin. Dehydrated skin can present as a dry or dull complexion. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces plus make up for any diuretics consumed throughout the day. Diuretics include alcohol, caffeinated beverages, soda and sugary drinks. One important note- in order for water to be most effectively transferred into our cells it’s best to include electrolytes. These can come in the form of trace mineral drops or squeezed lemon with a dash of sea salt. Electrolyte enhanced water can make all the difference between dry and properly hydrated skin and may even help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
02. Be mindful of trigger foods
While these may vary from person to person, the largest offenders (by far) include dairy, gluten, sugar, alcohol and caffeine. These foods can compromise the skin in several different ways, whether by creating inflammation within the digestive tract or promoting dehydration in the body. Although dairy and gluten are two of the most common food sensitivities, it’s important to note that they may not be the only food sensitivities one has.
In fact oftentimes people have sensitivities to otherwise “healthy” foods including fruit and vegetables. Food sensitivities can show up on the skin as redness, rashes or breakouts. If you want a personalized and comprehensive overview of which foods may be wreaking havoc on your skin, consider testing for food sensitivities using the Mediator Release Test and working with a nutrition professional who can create a tailored plan for you.
03. Incorporate healthy fats
Fats make up our cells which make up our tissues which then make up our organs. Our skin is our largest organ so if we’re not eating enough high quality fats from our diet, then our skin is likely to suffer the consequences. Signs you may benefit from eating more dietary fat include rough, dry or scaly skin. It’s important to include a variety of quality fats and to stay away from poor quality ones such as vegetable oils made from corn, soy, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, etc. The best quality fat sources include nuts, fatty fish, coconut, olive oil, butter and ghee. Eating a diet rich in healthy fats will promote smooth, supple, and hydrated skin.
04. Resolve digestive issues
This is oftentimes the number one thing getting in the way of healthy, radiant skin. Chronic digestive issues show up in a variety of ways whether it be acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea. Having any of these symptoms longterm will eventually compromise your skin. Why? Well for one poor digestion is characterized by an impaired ability to breakdown and absorb nutrients.
When we’re not absorbing the nutrients we consume, our body is not able to utilize them. Additionally our liver is a key component of our digestive system and when our liver is impaired in any way, we can begin to see the results on our skin in the form of breakouts, redness or rashes. Complete resolution of digestive issues often requires working with a nutrition or medical professional so don’t hesitate to get help.
05. Don't forget your SPF
Last but not least, it’s important for us to protect our skin from the sun. After all unprotected sun exposure is the number one way our skin can be damaged. Sun damaged skin can appear as hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. This is why it is especially important to use an SPF daily even if you’re not going to be in the direct sunshine. The thing to keep in mind here is that many sunscreens contain toxic chemicals that are anything but friendly on our skin. Be sure to select a clean version. Reference ewg.org/skindeep if you need help finding one. My go-to favorite is SuperGoop. A little preventative care goes a long way in helping your skin look its best.
