It seems like we all want youthful-looking skin that is elastic and bright, but there are a number of environmental and nutritional factors that can affect our skin's appearance. Pollution, sun exposure, stress and poor nutrition can all age our skin prematurely, as can dry weather and improper moisturization.
Below are 5 tips to incorporate into your daily lifestyle to ensure that your skin is healthy in appearance.
1) Drink enough water. One of the biggest factors in maintaining healthy and supple-looking skin is chronic dehydration! Most people don't even know that they aren't drinking enough water because if enough time passes without its consumption, the body's natural thirst mechanism will shut off or will be mistaken for hunger. Make sure you are drinking at least 2.2 litres of water daily to replenish your cells and hydrate your skin from the inside out. It is recommended that you consume spring water, alkaline-ionized water or remineralized purified water for the best hydration and absorption.
2) Eat healthy fats. With the fads of low-fat diets on the market, a lot people becoming scaredy cats of fat and aren't getting adequate dietary intake of healthy fats that are needed for hundreds of metabolic processes in the body as well as for the health and moisturization of the skin internally. The natural composition of our skin relies heavily on the presence of healthy fats, especially omega 3s and 6s from foods such as like fish, nuts, olive oil, coconut oil and avocadoes in our diet. When these nutrient providing foods are absent, our skin can't maintain its natural integrity and sun damage, aging, and other skin issues can arise. Fats are also naturally anti-inflammatory and decrease free radical production in the skin that can lead to age spots and melanomas.
3) Exfoliate (but not too much!). Getting rid of dead skin cells at regular intervals throughout the week allows your skin to breath and stimulates blood circulation which helps regenerate new cells and collagen proteins under the skin. As well, getting rid of dead layers of skin can instantly brighten the skin and make it look more youthful. Natural exfoliants such as sugar and lemon or ghassoul clay are gentle and work very well.
4) Tone! Soften and close pores with a toner such as orange hydrosol water after gently cleansing the skin to ensure that dirt and debris don't get caught and cause infections in the oil glands, leading to outbreaks. Toning also helps to tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles in the long term. Toning can hydrate the skin from the outside as your body will absorb at least 60 percent of what is placed on it - so make sure the toner and all other skincare products you choose are healthy, organic and free of chemical additives that your liver will have to process.
5) Moisturize with natural oils. Pure, organic Argan, sweet almond or jojoba oils are some of the most versatile beauty tools available on the market and can be applied to a variety of skin types, calming sebaceous gland production in those with oily or acneic skin, deeply moisturizing dry skin and calming inflammation in irritated skin.
In health,
Nakita
This article was written by Nakita Valerio, B.A, CSN, BMSA Technician.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your physician.
