Glowing skin isn’t just about what you’re putting on your face. It’s a lifestyle choice. Here’s how you can approach your skin holistically and see real results.
Everyday you wake up in the morning and take a bite of food or sip a drink, you’re kicking off a chemical process within your body. That process of digestion has an effect on your skin not only daily, but exponentially over time. How the body processes what it’s introduced to influences your gut microbiome, and in turn, affects your skin microbiome.
THE GUT-SKIN AXIS
Our skin is the synthesis of everything going on inside our bodies and our minds. What you are is what you eat, drink, do, and feel. If you look in the mirror and see dry, flaky skin, bags under your eyes, or a sudden breakout, that’s your body’s way of trying to tell you something. You could be tired, stressed, dehydrated, not getting enough sleep, or not eating enough of the good stuff your body needs.
Skin issues are something we all deal with at some point. Whether it’s due to the hormonal hurricanes of adolescence or menopause, exposure to big-city pollution, or everyone’s favorite pandemic-inspired skin problem, “maskne”, we’re all bound to meet one or more of these villains up close and personal. But, there are things we can do to build up our defences so that when they do rear their ugly heads, we’re expertly equipped to weather the storms.
5 LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN
1. Swap out sugary drinks for water with fruit + herbs
When it comes to good skin and a healthy gut, sugar is not your friend. Diets high in refined sugars increase inflammation, which leads to a bacterial gut-flora imbalance. That means you’re tipping the balance from good ba
cteria to supporting an increase in bad bacteria. And well… that’s bad. If you see a high amount of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweetener on the label, run.
Instead, drink water that’s flavored naturally with citrus and herbs. Not only do you eliminate unnecessary sugar, but you’re also supplying your body with healthy vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s a great way to get creative with whatever you have in the garden or the fridge.
Here are some great combos to try:
- Basil + lime
- Cucumber + mint
- Lemon + mint
- Orange + ginger (also great hot)
- Lemon + blueberry
- Lemon + thyme (also great hot)
- Grapefruit + rosemary
2. Take a daily probiotic
Probiotics promote bacterial diversity, which is the backbone of a healthy gut. A potent probiotic supplement should be a daily habit. Our Daily Glow Probiotic Supplements give you 5 different probiotic strains in a simple, once-a-day capsule. Clinically proven to increase hydration and elasticity, you’ll see results in just 15 days. They also help to reduce roughness and dullness and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Choose whole grains + fiber over white bread and flour
Premature loss of elasticity and suppleness in the skin is caused by prolonged inflammation. How does inflammation happen in the first place? It’s a result of consuming an excess of refined sugars that our bodies can’t use or break down. These are called high-glycemic foods and they include things like refined carbohydrates and refined sugars. When you eat them, your blood sugar spikes and it results in inflammation.
Instead of white bread and pasta, opt for whole grains which have more nutritional value. Still, try to eat fewer of these carbs overall, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods like beans and lentils to keep yourself full and satiated.
4. Eat more fermented foods + foods with antioxidants
Fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi introduce good bacteria to the gut. They promote bacterial diversity, which makes your system stronger overall. Diets rich in antioxidants, like the Mediterranean diet, have the capacity to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria. As things like blueberries, green tea, dark chocolate, red wine, olive oil, and whole grains are broken down during digestion, your microbiome is infused with smiley, happy bacteria. You also get plenty of other long-term benefits, as evidenced by a 2016 study:
“Several observational cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies show an association between this diet and a lower prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases as well as a reduced overall mortality.”
5. Move your body regularly
Yes, we’re talking about exercise. And whether you’ve got a wardrobe full of breathable spandex or you have no idea where to find those single-occasion sweatpants you wore to the gym last year, moving is good for you. Finding a way to move that works for you is an important part of gut health, which means it’s an important part of your skin health.
Regular exercise contributes to a glowing complexion by increasing cellular metabolism. This slows the aging process of skin and increases blood flow, improving its overall health and appearance.
If you can get 3o minutes of physical activity in the bag 4-5 days per week, you’ll see a difference in how you look and feel. If you’re not already using non-comedogenic makeup, then be sure to remove your makeup before working out. Give your skin a cool splash during and after a workout, and don’t forget the sunscreen if you’re headed outside.
The best skin is protected skin. Inside and out.
