7 top tips for a glowing complexion
Posted by Nic Florido on 19th Aug 2021
The world of skincare can be tricky. We’re often bombarded with info about new products, trending hacks and natural remedies that celebrities and influencers ‘swear by’. If you’ve ever lathered your face in toothpaste or witch hazel trying to rid a pimple only to find it made it much, much worse, stop right now!
Getting healthy, glowing skin doesn’t have to be a minefield. When trying to find treatments for common skincare problems like acne or eczema, it’s important to look for the root of the problem, which is often inside your body. Your skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside, so that’s the best place to start when trying to improve your skin health.
7 Top tips for a glowing complexion
1. Natural food is always best
Fresh, natural wholefoods are best for a healthy gut and happy skin. Pack your plate full of fruits, veggies, herbs and spices for meals that really pack a nutritional punch, which reduce inflammation and help strengthen your skin’s natural microbiome. Some foods that are great for skin include turmeric, ginger, blueberries, carrots, dark leafy greens and bone broth.
Bone broth is having a moment right now and for a good reason: it’s packed full of collagen and natural bacteria that support good gut health. To make your own simply reserve the bones from your latest Sunday roast, pop them in a saucepan with some onions and carrots and top up with water. Simmer on a low heat for a good 10hrs, drain and sip!
2. Reduce inflammatory foods
Processed foods, sugars, alcohol and excessive dairy consumption can cause inflammation in the gut, resulting in common skin conditions. Food that has been heavily processed can irritate skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, acne and allergies. You’d be surprised how quickly the consumption of these things can show up on your skin!
Foods that are overly processed (think frozen dinners, sugary soft drinks and store-bought lollies) can often contain large amounts of hidden sodium, saturated fats, and sugar. Opt for home-cooked meals with a fresh variety of ingredients. You’d be surprised how easy it is to make your store-bought favourites at home. Try this Good Gut Feels Mug Cake, which takes minutes to make and is actually full of gut-loving ingredients!
3. Healthy fats are a must
Include plenty of healthy fats in your diet. Foods with healthy fats include avocados, nuts and wild caught deep sea fish. Essential fatty acids are the ultimate skin healing weapon. Not only will they help to hydrate, preserve and repair the skin, but good healthy fats will also help to reduce inflammation, regulate hormones and promote a healthy gut/skin/brain axis!
4. Get your sweat on!
Movement improves our blood flow, which in turn helps your skin health. Getting the heart rate up and improving blood circulation can help to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin which keeps it healthy, promotes collagen production, and promotes new skin cells. This helps keep the skin look fresh and is also so helpful for anti-aging! One thing to note: if you’re exercising outside, always make sure to slip, slop, slap!
5. Minimise unnecessary chemicals
Your body works hard to flush out unwanted chemicals and nasties from your body. Give it a break by opting for chemical-free, natural food and drinks, and skincare. We want to take the pressure off when we can! Unfortunately, in modern society it can be hard to avoid pesky chemicals which seem to creep their way into everything. A simple change you can make which will directly affect your skin is swapping to natural cleaning products. Regular cleaning products have some of the harshest chemicals available and when you think about how often you’re reaching for that washing up liquid, your poor hands take a serious hit!
6. Opt for antioxidants in your skincare products
Look for good quality, antioxidant rich skin care products that contain active ingredients like vitamins A, C and E. Antioxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that protect your skin against free radicals (molecules in the environment that damage your skin by weakening elasticity). Antioxidants help to scavenge free radical damage and oxidative stress which will slow down the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.
7. Slip, slop, slap!
Daily SPF is non-negotiable. We live in one of the harshest climates in the world and protecting your skin against UVA and UVB will safeguard you now and in the future. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the number tells you how well the sunscreen protects against its rays.
Wearing SPF50 daily not only reduces your chance of getting sunburnt, it also significantly reduces your chance of getting skin cancer, fine lines, wrinkles and dehydration!
How many of these tricks can you do daily? Let us know at @nexba or @vaiabeauty!
