Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness

Skin care is more than just slapping some moisturizer on your face. If you want great skin, it’s important to care for it on the inside and the outside! That’s why I am so excited to team up with Emily Deck, advanced esthetician and owner of Pinsche Me Pretty, LLC, to bring you 11 skin care tips! You glow girl!

Great skin starts on the inside

When it comes to skin care, it makes sense to start on the inside. Your skin is a living organ, and, like all other organs in the body, it is made up of cells that need nourishment. No cream, lotion, or potion will make your skin bright and beautiful if you are in poor health!

1. Drink water

This may seem obvious, but most people still fail to get enough. Even mild dehydration causes cells to shrivel, which can make fine lines and wrinkles look more prominent. Start your day by re-hydrating with 16 ounces of water, and try to drink at least six more cups of water, tea, coffee – anything but alcohol – throughout the day.

2. Protein makes you pretty

Skin cells are made mostly of collagen and elastin – both proteins. Your body actually makes these special proteins on its own, but it can’t do so if you don’t eat enough protein. The best source of easily absorbed protein? Animal protein. Beef, chicken, fish, and eggs will provide the building blocks for great skin. If you struggle to get enough protein, supplementing with a powder like Great Lakes Hydrolyzed Collagen or Ancient Nutrition’s Collagen Peptides is a great idea. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you need to be even more vigilant about getting enough protein because vegetable proteins are harder for the body to absorb and assimilate. Good sources for vegetarians and vegans include tofu, tempeh, quinoa, nuts, and legumes.

3. Take a deep breath…or five

Have you ever heard of someone stressing so badly that they break out in hives? Stress can have an incredible impact on the entire body, including the skin. Managing and reducing stress is good for every part of the body. The best way to bring your body back to a state of calm is through deep breathing. It’s simple, free, and can be done anywhere. All you need to do is pause several times per day and take five deep slow breaths.

4. Eat oranges

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can boost the health of all connective tissues of the body, including the skin. Vitamin C is also crucial for the production and maintenance of collagen, which is the main structural protein of connective tissue. Don’t bother with supplements…get your Vitamin C from whole foods like oranges, berries, kiwi, grapefruit, and even sweet potatoes.

5. Sweat it out

Exercise reduces stress and makes the body healthy, which makes the skin healthy by default. But exercise has several other direct benefits for the skin. Exercise gets the blood pumping, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Sweating is also good for the skin – kind of like a mini facial - by clearing dirt and toxins from pores. Just be sure to remove the grime by rinsing off after a sweat session.

6. Eat your omegas

Dietary fats, and specifically omega 3 fats, are crucial for keeping cell membranes healthy, strong, and hydrated. Omega 3 fats also have a potent anti-inflammatory effect on the body, which can reduce inflammation-related skin conditions like acne and eczema. The best sources of omega 3 fats are cold-water fish like salmon and sardines, flax seeds, and omega eggs.

Skin care from the outside in

Your inner game is critical for glowing skin, but to keep your skin looking great, you can’t neglect the exterior! Emily shares the following five skin care tips that can really make a difference in your skin:

7. You don’t always need a toner

There was a time when cleansers contained ingredients that were harsh and disrupted the balance of your skin. Toner was originally made to help balance the pH of your skin after cleansing. The good news: most cleansers are now made using ingredients that are, overall, just better for you and your skin. Your pH will also restore itself naturally over time. If you want to minimize your pores or have oily skin, toner can still be a great option. It just isn’t always a necessary step.

8. Cleanse your skin for a full minute!

Most people rub a cleanser in for about 10 seconds, which only cleans the outer superficial layer of skin. Next time you wash your face, sing your ABC’s twice, and you should be good! This one is pretty simple: cleansing for a minute gives the ingredients time to work.

9. It is possible to over-exfoliate!

Some people think the more the better, but over-exfoliating or using harsh exfoliation treatments can be too abrasive for the skin! Exfoliation, and even things like waxing, cause microdamage to the skin, which needs time to repair. Plan to exfoliate one to three times per week, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. And don’t forget the sunscreen after exfoliation treatments!

10. Coconut oil isn’t right for everyone!

Everyone is on an organic/all-natural kick and wants to use coconut as a moisturizer. Going organic is great, but coconut is very heavy and thick. For certain skin types, coconut oil can cause a lot of congestion in the skin. People with dry skin need something to help trap moisture, but coconut oil can actually be too thick. If you have oily skin you want a moisturizer that is labeled “noncomedogenic”, and definitely something lightweight. If someone is using coconut oil and it’s tried and true for their routine, that’s great! And let’s not forget that protecting your skin from the sun is crucial! Your daily moisturizer should contain SPF. This is why a consultation with an esthetician is vital to a good skin care routine: knowing skin type and using the right products is absolutely important!

11. Vitamin C serum should be a part of everyone’s skincare regimen!

Vitamin C serum has so many benefits, I don’t know where to start! It’s an antioxidant, it boosts collagen production, helps reduce hyperpigmentation, gives a youthful glow, and so much more! If you’re going to spend money on a topical or serum, this is the one!

Youthful radiance starts with skin care from the inside out!

Your skin is a reflection of your health, habits, and vitality. Developing and sticking with a consistent skin care routine that takes care of the exterior is important. Washing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin daily is part of basic self care. But good skin care is more than just slapping some SPF on your face. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it’s the only one visible from the outside…but proper care starts on the inside. Nourish yourself and it will show up on your skin!

Want more fun skin care tips? Read Better Skin in Eight Days.

About Emily and Pinsche Me Pretty

Emily is an advanced esthetician. She received her education through Raphael’s Beauty School and opened her esthetic studio, Pinsche Me Pretty LLC, located in Medina, Ohio. She specializes in dermaplane facials and other esthetic services, and recommends Image skin care products.

“I believe everyone is beautiful, we just don’t always know how to work with what we’re given or maybe we don’t see our own beauty. My heart is to help people relax, let go of the weight they carry on their shoulders, and realize how incredibly beautiful they really are.” ~Em J

When she’s not in the studio, she enjoys reading, cuddling with her two Doberman Pinschers, and eating at fun, new places!

I hope you enjoyed this post and thank you for reading!

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Blog Author: Kelly Bailey, IIN certified holistic nutrition coach, and NPTI certified personal trainer

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Skin Care From The Inside Out