HOLISTIC SKINCARE
Having bad skin can be an indication of your lifestlye hence a more a more comprehensive approach of skincare is growing in popularity.
Holistic Skincare is an approach to skin health that addressed the root cause of skin concerns by considering the body, mind and environment. Holistic skincare argues that glass skin can not be achieved by topical treatments alone.
Is Holistic Skincare the same as Natural Skincare?
The answer is NO! Natural skincare are beauty products formulated with ingredients gotten from plants, oils and minerals. These products contain no chemicals or additives. While Holistic Skincare entails using the natural skincare products together with diet, exercise, stress management, mindfulness.
Core Principles and Benefits of Holistic Skincare Approach
1. Healthy Diet
Diet plays a huge role on the appearance and health of your skin.
I’ve always known that diet plays a huge role on how our body feels but I never took it seriously. Only for me to realise that it was one of the major cause of my hormonal acne and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation I used to deal with.
I used to crave specific snacks that would cause inflammation during that time of the month and I was warned against them by the dermatologist but now I know better.
Your diet needs to supply an adequate amount of vitamins, proteins and minerals to promote skin health. You can only supply the required nutrients by eating a balamced diet.
Benefits of eating healthy Nutrients that are vital to renew skin and boost its health are;
- Vitamin A- Has anti aging properties and helps produce healthy skin cells
- Vitamin C- Supports the immune system, brightens skin and help heal hyperpigmentation. It also helps produce collagen which provides firmness of the skin. Eg; Oranges, Broccoli, Papaya
- Vitamin D- Protects against sun damage. It stimulates skin cells to produce hyaluronic acid which will help in improving skin hydration and give it a youthful appearance. It also supports wound healing. Eg; Milk, Cheese, Fish oil
- Vitamin E- It is super moisturizing and will hydrate your skin. Strengthens skin barrier and has antioxidant properties which protects your skin from damage. Eg; Almonds, Hazelnuts, Avocados.
- Vitamin B7/ Biotin- It aids in the production of fatty acids which help maintain its moisture barrier. Helps in making your skin look radiant and youthful by metabolizing fats. Eg; Eggs, Soybeans, Almonds, Oats, Barley, Spinach.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids- They improve skin elasticity and hydration. Omega 3s improve the skin barrier and regulate skin oil production which in turn helps reduce acne. They also help soften rough, dry skin and have a soothing effect. Eg; Fish oil, Flax seeds, Chia seeds, Soybean oil.
- Selenium- It is a mineral that protects your skin from damage caused by free radicals, UV rays and environmental aggressors. It also helps regulate sebum production making it beneficial for oily acne prone skin. Eg; crab, prawns, salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey, brazil nuts
- Zinc- It is a mineral which promotes clear skin by regulating hormonal balance. It contains anti inflammatory properties which will help reduce swelling and redness from skin conditions like acne, eczema. Zinc helps new skin cells grow and replication. Eg; fish, lean red meat, whole grains, poultry
These are some of the benefits of eating healthy for skin and also eating healthy also provides our body with good health benefits by preventing a lot of lifestlye diseases. Our skin being the largest organ should be well taken care of. Combining a healthy diet with topical skin treatments will definitely help you reach your skin goals.
2. Exercise
Moving our bodies is also an integral part of maintaining good health. Working out often will result to youthful skin.
Some of the benefits of working out on face are;
Prevents signs of Aging– we can all agree that individuals who have consistently worked out through out their life don’t always look their age. Exercise will help you achieve wrinkle free smooth skin. Experts recommend aerobic exercise to help reverse the signs of aging.
Improved blood flow– Skin cells are nourished by blood flow and oxygen which enhances cellular repair and replacement. Improved blood flow also removes toxins effectively from the skin. Exercise improves blood flow which helps in getting the nutrients where they need to be and waste or toxins are also quickly removed from the cells
Reduced stress- Stress impacts the skin by bringing about skin conditions like acne, eczema etc. Most of us work out to calm our mind aside from getting our dream bodies. You always feel great after working out because of the release of endorphins. Cortisol levels also reduce which in turn help the immune system function efficiently hence skin damage is combated effectively.
Skin tightening- Weight training exercises can help decrease the appearance of loose skin. Exercise also help improve skin structure and rejuvenate its appearance
How to protect your skin while exercising
- Wear good loose fitting athleisure wear to keep your skin cool and dry
- Cleanse your skin before your workout routine to prevent clogged pores
- Wear SPF and protective clothing if your doing outdoor workouts
- Avoid wearing makeup at the gym
- shower immediately after exercsing.
Natural Skincare
Natural skincare products are formulated from natural ingredients derived from plants, oils, minerals that help in nourishing the skin without the use of harsh chemicals or synthetic products.
Some people result to using natural skincare products formulated locally as they tend to be more beneficial and actually treat their skin concerns as compared to other chemically manufactured products
Another good property of natural skincare products is that they are gentle hence a good choice for sensitive skin types
Benefits of Natural Skincare
Less irritation– natural skincare are less likely to cause irritation
Rich in antioxidants- plant based ingredients used in making them are usually packed with antioxidants that combat free radical damage
Less environmental pollution– Natural skincare products are biodegradable and won’t cause effects as compared to synthetic products. The packaging has to be biodegradable as well.
Things to note when switching to natural skincare products;
- Patch test first when incorporating a new product to your skincare routine.
- Natural skincare have a shorter shelf life
Beneficial natural ingredients;
- Aloe vera- soothes irritated skin
- Turmeric- brightens skin complexion
- Green tea- help prevent premature aging
4.Hydration
A hydrated skin is a healthy looking skin. One of the most important practices when it comes to your skin is to always make sure it is well hydrated.
Benefits of hydration
- Improves skin elasticity resulting in a reduction of the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- It controls oil production which in turn reduces the likelihood of acne- beneficial for oily skin types
- Dehydrated skin is prone to UV rays damage
Hydration is not all about drinking water alone, we hydrate our skin using various means such as;
- Eating hydration foods
- Applying hydrating products- ceramides, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids, lipids
5. Stress Management
Stress has been shown to affect skin and cause a number of skin issues. Eg acne, eczema etc
When an individual is stressed there is a release of cortisol which has been shown to;
- Increase skin inflammation
- Impair skin barrier function
- Impair wound healing
- Increase itching
- Suppress immunity
Stress also makes the skin look dull.
Incorporate some of these mind body therapies to reduce stress;
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Engaging in hobbies that relax your mind
- Aromatherapy
- Spending time with your loved ones
6. Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential to maintaining a youthful appearance. Your skin heals itself from damage when you sleep at night.
Lack of enough sleep can cause stress, and we already know the impact of stress on skin. Good sleep improves collagen production, reduces under eye circles and reduces the signs of aging.
Some of the good night time routine practices to get enough sleep are;
- Incorporate a PM skincare routine
- Relax your mind before sleeping- watch a movie, journal, read a book
- Take a shower
- Stop screen time atleast 2 hours before bedtime
CONCLUSION
By incorporating all these practices in your life you will experience the benefits of holistic skincare approach that includes an improvement on your skin health, appearance and many more. Holistic skincare is one of those trends you need to hop on. Not only will these practices improve your skin but also your overall well being
By incorporating a balanced diet, workout routine, stress management practices and enough sleep you can achieve your skin goals and heal many common skin concerns that you may suffer from.
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