What Your Skin Says About Your Health

We were born with perfect baby-soft skin and as we have grown up, that’s still the skin we have, but it’s not so “baby-soft” anymore. Truth is, we’ve only got this one skin and it’s up to us how it’s cared for. It is said that the eyes are the “window to your soul”, well, we have a twist on that saying, “Your skin is a reflection of your body’s health”. You see, our skin reveals the various health stages of our lives.  In our pre-teen years, our skin showed the effects of puberty via acne breakouts which often lasted thru to our teenager years and even beyond. For those of us who became mothers we got to experience the miracle known as “Pregnancy Glow” and at some point, regardless of age we have ALL had some pigmentary imperfection caused from being out in the sun too much. It is a well-known fact that one’s age is reflected in your skin, and your skin’s health is an overall reflection of your body’s health, which leads us to promoting the practice of self-care. We say Self-Care is one of the best types healthcare you can practice. That’s because the saying, “you are what you eat” applies to your skin’s appearance too, not just your body. The healthier you are, the healthier your skin will look.
The skin is the body’s largest organ and when in a healthy state, its layers work hard to protect us. But when it’s compromised, the skin’s ability to work as an effective barrier is impaired. Your skin, is an incredible living and dynamic organ, influenced by your lifestyle, your environment and the way you care for it. External factors such as stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, not enough exercise, unhealthy eating habits and even smoking can affect the overall quality of your skin. For those looking to up their skin health, here are Five Easy Steps you can practice immediately to improve your lifestyle and overall health (including your skin) in the process.

1. EAT A BALANCED & HEALTHY DIET:

We get it, this is not a revolutionary tip, but it is the foundation to clear, healthy skin. And sometimes we just need to hear things a few times to remind us of what we need to do. When it comes to food it’s really all about moderation. So, the fries topped with plenty of cheese that you ate over the weekend with friends, as long as it’s not a nightly occurrence by practicing moderation, you should be okay. Then there’s the superfood salad you ate for lunch yesterday, now that’s a great choice, but we know that one can’t live by salad alone, which is why it’s a good idea to make eating an enjoyable experience that fills the senses so that moderation is easy to practice. Regardless of how good or bad it is for you, you probably enjoyed both. However, your skin on the other hand- not so much. What you eat is as important as the products that you put on your skin. Your diet could improve your skin health from the inside out, so a clear complexion begins with eating a healthy diet. Foods that are high in refined sugar, artificial additives, and those containing certain unhealthy fats may reflect on your skin as well. Eat healthy foods like vegetables, berries and nuts and seeds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to keep your skin looking healthy and fresh. Always, always, always drink plenty of water! Drinking water keeps your body hydrated and helps to support your detoxification organs, including your skin. It also keeps your skin well moisturized, which preserves your skin’s elasticity and healthy glow.

2.KEEP YOUR STRESS IN CHECK:

Did you know that stress has been linked to acne breakouts and various skin conditions such as eczema? Those who experience high stress levels are more likely to see its damaging results in their skin because stressed skin is more susceptible to breakout, dull patches and dehydration. Try reducing stress by managing your time to include mind and body exercises such as: prayer/meditation and Pilates. Exercising produces happy hormones, including serotonin, that help reduce stress levels, and encourage your skin to look more glowing and fresher. Another way stress can affect your skin is by causing inflammation, which in turn causes your skin to freak out. If you’re predisposed to eczema for example then feeling overwhelmed with stress is one trigger that can make its characteristic patches of dry, itchy, inflamed skin bloom across your body. This doesn’t mean stress will cause these conditions if you don’t have them, just that it might make them harder to manage if you do. So here is a super simple tip, inhale 1-2-3 and then exhale 1-2-3. Trust us your skin will love you for it.

3.LOCK IN THE MOISTURE:

Moisturizing your skin is one sure way to help it maintain its youthfulness and protecting your skin’s moisture barrier is most important. Skin moisturizers keep the top layer of your skin cells hydrated and help seal in moisture. Most moisturizers contain humectants to attract moisture to the skin and retain that moisture, causing your skin cells to feel nice and smooth.You should have a personalized skin care routine that works best for you and your skin. We recommend products to be as naturally sourced as possible without sacrificing the overall performance of your skin, and that are designed to optimize your body’s own dynamic skin mechanisms of self-rejuvenation. We LOVE Sente Dermal Repair Cream. Formulated with HSA technology, Dermal Repair Cream, a super hydrator diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, while improving skin tone and texture. With continuous use, it is clinically shown to improve the overall appearance of the skin. This unique formulation is appropriate for compromised and sensitive skin. In addition to using a morning and a nighttime moisturizer. It is important to have a morning and nighttime moisturizer because they are not the same.  During the night while sleeping, our skin is in its most regenerative phase and allows us to tolerate anti-aging ingredients such as retinols at night resulting in smoother, wrinkle-free skin. Use a gentle cleanser on your face and avoid over cleansing so that you don’t strip your skin.Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin every morning and throughout the day as needed. Have a range of skin care options on hand to address skin changes that arise due to the environment, aging and/or your lifestyle. Your skincare expert can help you create a skincare plan that will give you the results without wasting money.

4.Smoke? QUIT NOW!

Smoking is known to cause damage to not only your skin, but also your entire body. It ages your skin, causing the blood vessels found in the outer layer of the skin to reduce blood flow and exhaust the skin its nutrients and oxygen it needs to remain healthy. Smoking can reduce the natural elasticity of the skin by causing the breakdown of collagen and reduction of collagen production, which is a process associated with the signs of premature aging. Furthermore, the repetitive expressions that are made when smoking- such as pursing the lips- can contribute to wrinkles on the face.

5.GET PLENTY OF BEAUTY SLEEP:

Getting enough sleep is probably one of the most obvious signs of a healthy lifestyle. Not only will getting your beauty sleep will banish those dark circles around your eyes and improve your skin tone, and, best of all, it is free! Lack of sleep can lead to many different causes of an unhealthy lifestyle but can also have a significant impact on the skin’s function and aging. Sleeping 7-8 hours a day is recommended for the body to function efficiently and optimize the secretion of human growth hormones, which promotes collagen production. During deep sleep, your body enters repair mode and regenerates the skin, muscles, blood, and brain cells and without adequate sleep, your body is unable to produce any new collagen.

At the end of the day you can truly only control your lifestyle according to best fit your needs. However, rituals are valuable to good health and one of the first things you probably do when you wake up each morning and evening is to care for your skin. Your daily skin care rituals are not only opportunities to address the appearance of your skin, but also time to focus on your skin’s health, and in turn, your overall health. Taking these moments for skin care is just one way to truly practice self-care. Having a healthy lifestyle will reflect on your skin’s appearance, and by making a few changes in your lifestyle, you can encourage more youthful and glowing skin.
Got questions or comments? Call us at (956) 664-1234. We are ready to help you find the right path for your transformation this year.  If you want to know more about either of our programs available this month you can learn about them here.