How what we eat affects our skin…
It all starts in the gut, what we put into and onto our bodies not only affects our gut but stagnates and can increase toxins in the liver, therefore congesting our skin. Using everyday products that contain chemicals and synthetic fragrances for example, like our body wash, shampoo, and what we choose to wash our clothes in, down to our pretty smelling perfumes and colognes. These can all imbalance our hormones and disrupt our gut flora, which is where our good bacteria lives. When out of balance by poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, and eating foods that can cause inflammation, like gluten, dairy, sugar and processed foods on a daily basis can not only disrupt gut flora, they can alter our skins own microbiome by producing oily or dry skin with blemishes, pimples, blackheads and cystic acne.
By improving our diet, starting with plenty of filtered water, eight glasses a day up to 2 L would be a good habit of getting into. Carry your water bottle with you everywhere you go, just like you do your cell phone, but this is healthier. Start in the mornings by eating plenty of fruit and veggies, add into your day with each meal, and ensure you're taking the proper supplements to improve the health of our skin, such as Vitamin A found in green leafy vegetables, beef liver, sweet potato and carrots, cantaloupe, and mango. Fruits high in Vitamin A are the orange ones! Vitamin A also encourages cell production, and stimulates fibroblasts! These cells are responsible for developing tissue that keeps skin firm and healthy, it also improves problematic skin like acne by helping to normalize oil production, and help improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation (brown spots). So whether you get it from food or your topical skincare, the protective, nourishing properties of vitamin A are very beneficial to help skin look and feel great.
Vitamin E, found in dry-roasted sunflower seeds, almonds, kiwifruit, tomatoes, and spinach, supports our immune function and reduces inflammation. Vitamin E is an antioxidant! It helps protect cells from damage and is also a fat-soluble vitamin which means that your body stores and uses it when needed. So on your next spinach salad throw on some sunflower seeds and almonds to get your daily dose of vitamin E.
Another skin-boosting and brightening supplement is vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid = Vit C Royalty).
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, its properties play a role in collagen synthesis which makes vitamin C a vital molecule for the skin, dramatically brightening and evening skin tone and white and sweet potatoes, and red peppers. Some fruits containing vitamin C are mangoes, strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi - keep a bowl of fresh fruits in the kitchen to grab on the go! Snack on and get your vitamin C!
See you at the Spa!
Carrie Scarlett, Certified Esthetician + CHNC