Our skin is so delicate. It responds to everything that we do. When we’re stressed or tired, we often wake up with dull, dry or patchy skin. When we’re eating wholefoods and sleeping well, it’s more radiant. These tips will put you on the path to healthy, glowing skin.
1. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Think berries, pomegranates, tomatoes and citrus fruits. These fruits and veggies are loaded with antioxidants to brighten your skin and protect it from premature ageing. They also help to fight free radical damage, which is the effect the environment – pollution, stress and so on – has on your skin.
2. Take a multi-strain probiotic daily
It’s not the prettiest part of the body, but the gut is the key to good health and wellbeing. If it isn’t functioning properly, it slows down the rest of our bodily systems. That’s where probiotics come in. They balance out our microflora (gut bacteria), improve our digestion, and make us feel less sluggish – all things that lead to better skin.
3. Drink plenty of water
Bottoms up! As you may remember from Year 8 science, the body is made up of 60-75% water. It needs it to survive and thrive. Water also detoxifies the body and flushes out the skin, so aim to drink 1.5-2 litres a day – and more if you’re working out or sweating a lot.
4. Enjoy healthy fats at each meal
Want another reason to eat that avo or drizzle olive oil on your salad? Here it is! They’re high in essential fatty acids, which are key to keeping our skin hydrated and plump. Our bodies can easily break down healthy fats, so don’t be afraid of adding a small portion to each meal.
5. Use natural beauty products
Our skin is like a sponge – it soaks up about 85% of what we put on it. Incredible, right? For beautiful, clear skin, go back to basics and use all-natural products, from your cleanser to your foundation. Once a week, treat yourself to a scrub. We love Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub – and not just because it’s packed with nutrients! It works to gently exfoliate and polish skin and balance excess oils. It has the most invigorating scent, too!
6. Take steps to reduce your stress levels
The signs of stress show up everywhere, from our digestion to our skin. Every day, schedule in some me-time and do whatever makes you happy and calm. It could be reading, walking, listening to music, meditating, baking, going for a swim, having a bath or taking a nap. It could be as simple as turning off your phone for a few hours or saying no if you don’t feel like going out.
7. Sleep 7-8 hours every night
A lack of sleep can affect your skin’s moisture levels, leaving it dull. To get that glow back, do whatever you need to do to get a good night’s sleep – even if it means going to bed 2 hours earlier than usual! You can also try cutting down on caffeine and sugar, avoiding exercise in the evenings, and sipping on chamomile tea before bed.
8. Use natural beauty products
Our skin is like a sponge – it soaks up about 85% of what we put on it. Incredible, right? For beautiful, clear skin, go back to basics and use all-natural products, from your cleanser to your foundation. Once a week, treat yourself to a scrub. We love Sukin Super Greens Detoxifying Facial Scrub – and not just because it’s packed with nutrients! It works to gently exfoliate and polish skin and balance excess oils. It has the most invigorating scent, too!
9. Steer clear of artificial sugars and sweeteners
By this, we mean refined sugar. Sugar damages collagen, causes dullness, and speeds up ageing. Artificial sweeteners contain aspartame, a nasty ingredient that not only dulls skin but also affects your blood sugars and gut bacteria.
10. Go dairy-free
Do you get sore, hormonal breakouts on your cheeks and chin? Are you prone to itchy red patches? Dairy could be to blame. It has hormones that can cause acne and eczema to flare up. Try cutting it for a month and see if that makes a difference.
11. Do yoga regularly
All exercise is amazing for giving your skin a healthy glow – but yoga is something special. Thanks to all that twisting and bending, it’s fab for flushing out toxins and boosting digestion. As you now know, that’s good news for your skin!