THE THREE FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTHY SKIN

Many trends come and go and this is especially true in the world of beauty and skincare. Every week there’s a new fad promising to make you better, younger, healthier.

However, there are three cornerstones of any skincare ritual that create the foundation for healthy skin. As long as these are adhered to, you can rest assured that any topical applications in your routine will be working with skin at its optimum condition.

DIET

As within, so without. Some nutrients required to maintain healthy skin are not produced by the body in sufficient quantities, if at all. These essential nutrients, including essential fatty acids (EFAs) can only be obtained from plant and animal sources, either as part of your diet or as topical treatments.

Topical applications of EFAs have proven themselves to be effective and this is why many skincare formulas contain plant oils rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Ideally, the best routine for healthy, supported skin is to combine a healthy diet along with topical applications of oils that contain these essential nutrients.

A poor diet will lack the vital nutrients needed to keep skin balanced, vibrant and at its optimal best for your age and life stage. Acne is linked to a refined carb and high sugar diet, while common issues such as poor skin tone, wrinkles and inflammation are all linked to skin that is not provided with the sufficient nutrition it needs.

A diet full of leafy greens, fruit, veg, legumes and organic animal products, if you choose, will provide you with the nutrients you need to support healthy skin.

WATER

Many of our skin issues come from inadequate water intake. Our skin is hydrated from the inside out - a healthy skin routine includes drinking at least 2 litres of pure filtered water everyday. Our cells are composed of over 70% water, so this is an essential component of keeping skin healthy. Include herbal tea infusions made with nutritive herbs such as nettle and dandelion to reap additional nourishment.

In addition, make it a regular practice to bathe in epsom salts and swim in the sea. The benefits of epsom salts are many, namely their ability to gently detox the body, aid in relaxation and reduce inflammation. Similarly, swimming in the ocean can aid in soothing inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Its mild antiseptic properties help clear the skin of bacteria and it has an overall calming and relaxing effect on the body, relieving tension. Stress wreaks havoc on your health, including your skin, so incorporate these relaxing rituals where possible in the name of good skin.

LOW TOX LIFESTYLE

Nothing toxic should ever go on your skin as the skin absorbs everything it comes into contact with. Although the extent to which this occurs is hard to measure, it is an important consideration when choosing skincare. Many synthetic ingredients that go into skincare, including makeup, can cause irritation and allergic reactions, some are known carcinogens (cancer causing agents) or bioaccumulate, meaning they have a tendency to build up in your body causing hormone disruption, systemic inflammation or disease.

Plant oils are similar to the composition of the lipids (fats) in our skin, therefore they are metabolised more easily. We share much more in common with plants than we realise. These lipids support the foundations needed for our bodies to maintain healthy, nourished skin.

Only invest in natural skincare products for yourself and those you love. Many of the ingredients in natural skincare have active, quantifiably beneficial effects on the skin as well as powerful therapeutic properties. They are nourishing and more complex than their synthetic counterparts, without the unwanted side effects.

To decrease your exposure to toxins even further, eat organic where possible, drink filtered water and use natural cleaning products around the home.