Are you looking to achieve healthy, glowing skin? The secret lies in creating a holistic skin care routine that nurtures your skin from the inside out.
A holistic approach to skincare goes beyond just using the right products; it considers your diet, lifestyle, and overall well-being to address the root causes of skin issues.
In this ultimate guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create your perfect holistic and natural skincare and routine. You'll learn the benefits of a holistic approach and discover tips for incorporating natural and holistic skincare practices into your daily life.
By implementing a holistic skin care routine, you'll not only improve the appearance of your skin but also support your body's overall health and wellness. Get ready to transform your skin from the inside out!
Our skin is a mirror, emulating what’s going on inside, including diet, mental health, and hormones.
Holistic skin care is an approach that addresses the health of your skin by considering your overall well-being, including factors like diet, stress levels, and lifestyle habits. It emphasizes the gravity of a balanced lifestyle, mindfulness, complimented by 100%, natural skin care products for truly healthy, radiant skin. This extends to balanced nutrition, adequate hydration, regular exercise, and stress management.
Now that you understand the importance of a holistic approach to natural skincare routine, let's dive into the 7 essential steps that make up a comprehensive holistic skincare routine.
To create an effective holistic skincare routine, follow these steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize, exfoliate, mask, protect, and nourish from within.
Choose a natural, sulfate-free cleanser that suits your skin type
Massage the cleanser into your skin using circular motions
Rinse with lukewarm water
Avoid using hot water, as it can strip your skin of its natural oils
Use a natural toner to balance your skin's pH
Look for toners containing ingredients like witch hazel, rose water, or aloe vera
Apply the toner using a cotton pad or your fingers, gently patting it into your skin
Choose a natural, nourishing moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or jojoba oil
Apply the moisturizer to your face and neck
Gently massage it into your skin until fully absorbed
Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores
Use a gentle, natural exfoliant like oatmeal, sugar, or coffee grounds mixed with a carrier oil or honey
Gently massage the exfoliant into your skin using circular motions
Rinse with lukewarm water
Be careful not to over-exfoliate, as this can irritate your skin
Once or twice a week, treat your skin to a nourishing face mask
Choose a mask that addresses your specific skin concerns, such as hydration, brightening, or anti-aging
Look for natural ingredients like clay, avocado, or honey
Apply the mask evenly to your face, leave it on for the recommended time, then rinse with lukewarm water
Apply a natural, mineral-based sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when spending extended periods outdoors
Protect your skin from environmental stressors by wearing protective clothing
Avoid prolonged exposure to pollution and harsh weather conditions
Maintain a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats
Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
Limit your intake of processed foods, sugar, and alcohol
By following these 7 essential steps, you can create a holistic skincare routine that not only improves the appearance of your skin but also supports your overall health and well-being.
To get you started on an all-encompassing, holistic skin care routine, below are the tips for achieving a sound mind, a healthy body, and radiant skin!
Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is the foundation for holistic skincare.
“Research in the field of diet and dermatology has exploded within the last decade. While dermatologists have long known about the link between dietary factors and skin changes, we're now starting to understand how these are connected on a molecular level.” - Dr. Rajani Katta MD , board-certified dermatologist and author of "Glow: The Dermatologist's Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet”.
Look at your plate. A well-balanced diet should have a plate bursting with proteins, fibers, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. A healthy digestive system from nourishing foods will work to reduce inflammation, which can cause acne and rosacea.
Several key nutrients play vital roles in skin health:
Vitamin A: Helps regulate skin cell turnover
Vitamin C: Aids in collagen production
Vitamin D: Supports skin cell growth and repair
Vitamin E: Protects against oxidative damage
Omega-3 fatty acids: Help reduce inflammation
Antioxidants: Neutralize harmful free radicals
The skin loves foods rich in water, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, which are found in:
Spinach
Kale
Nuts
Strawberries
Apples
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelons
Cucumbers
Grapes
Tomatoes
Chia Seeds
Avocado
Carrots
Salmon
Healthy fats from avocados and flaxseeds will support the skin’s suppleness and elasticity, supporting aging and avoiding lines and wrinkles.
Oppositely, foods that can wreak havoc on your skin health include:
Foods and soft drinks with excessive sugar like muffins, ice cream, soda, and ketchup
Trans fats such as chips, coffee creamer, and onion rings
Fried foods like fried chicken, donuts, and funnel cakes
Alcohol
If you’re experiencing regular breakouts or skin reactions, it’s a good idea to do tests to determine if you have food allergies and to eliminate these triggers.
Now that we've covered the importance of eating well, let's move on to the next crucial element of a holistic skincare approach: staying hydrated.
This step may not come as a surprise considering our bodies are composed of approximately 60% water, but staying hydrated is incredibly important for skin health.
A study published in the journal Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found that increasing water intake can significantly improve skin hydration and function. The researchers concluded, "The regular consumption of water has been shown to have a positive effect on skin physiology."
When you're dehydrated, your skin can become:
Dry
Tight
Flaky
Drinking enough water helps:
Keep your skin cells plump and hydrated
Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Flush out toxins that can contribute to skin issues like acne and dullness
For our intricate cells and organs, including our skin, to function well, drink, drink, drink! Experts suggest drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Dehydration = dull, saggy, and wrinkled skin.
While diet and hydration form the base of a holistic skincare routine, mindfulness and stress management are equally essential for maintaining healthy skin.
The dreaded “S” word: stress.
While an unavoidable part of life, it can cause major issues for your skin. There are two different types of stress: acute stress and chronic stress,” said Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist and the author of “The Beauty of Dirty Skin.
When experiencing stress, our bodies pump out the stress hormone cortisol, which can:
Increase inflammation
Worsen skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis
Cause your skin to become more sensitive and reactive
impacts the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems
Managing stress is a key component of a holistic perspective on skin health. By reducing stress levels, you can minimize inflammation and prevent stress-related skin issues.
Ways to support stress include:
Drink or eat ginseng! Ginseng is a powerful adaptogen herb that can support building immunity, increase energy, and support mental fatigue and stress.
Drink chamomile tea, a known sedative herb that can relax the mind and body, significantly reducing stress.
Journal out your woes and write to do-to-lists to help reduce stress.
Practice daily meditation.
Increase gratitude practices.
Ask for help from loved ones when overwhelmed.
In addition to mindfulness, regular physical activity plays a vital role in promoting healthy, glowing skin.
Joyfully moving your body will not only increase your well-being and mood, reduce stress, and overall physical health, but have immense benefits for skin health:
Exercise leads to sweat, which leads to circulation, which increases blood flow!
This delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to skin cells, deeply nourishing and detoxifying the skin.
Sweating will also expel toxins, clearing pores and reducing the likelihood of breakouts.
Moving your body doesn't need to be an antiquated thing. If you don't like gyms, that's fine - gyms are so last year! Some creative, joyful ways to move your body include:
Hiking
Going for a bike ride
Swimming
Kayaking
Dancing
Pilates
Aerial Yoga
Running
What is your favorite way to get moving!?
By incorporating regular movement, you improve your skin, reduce stress, and increase joy. Focus on consistency to get the most out of it!
As we've discussed the impact of exercise on skin health, it's important to note that adequate sleep is also a key factor in achieving a radiant complexion.
Sleep is a large player in skin health.
During sleep:
Your body repairs and regenerates skin cells
Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and dark circles are reduced
Lack of sleep can lead to increased inflammation, worsening skin conditions like acne and eczema
A study conducted by University Hospitals Case Medical Center found that poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of aging and diminished skin barrier function. Dr. Elma Baron, director of the Skin Study Center at UH Case Medical Center, stated, "Our study is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin aging."
If you struggle to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep each night, you can try:
Meditation: Mindful meditation supports calming your mind and body, promoting a deeper sleep.
Herbal Teas: Calming teas such as chamomile or nettle will relax your body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.
Relaxing Bath: Enjoying a warm bath before bedtime relaxes muscles and prepares the body for restful sleep.
Limit Electronic Devices: The blue light emitted by electronic devices interferes with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Avoid using screens at least two hours before bedtime to promote better sleep.
Incorporating these activities and practices into your daily routine can help improve your sleep quality, reduce stress, and promote healthier skin.
Finally, let's talk about the products you use in your holistic skincare routine and how they can support the benefits of the previous steps.
While a holistic approach to skincare emphasizes the importance of internal factors like nutrition and lifestyle, the products you use still play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin.
When selecting products for your holistic skincare routine, opt for natural and holistic skincare products. These products are free from harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients, making them gentle and nourishing for your skin.
Opt for cleansers, serums, and moisturizers with natural ingredients like avocado, honey, and aloe, vitamins C, A, and E which will deeply nourish and protect the skin from free radicals.
Look for products that contain ingredients like:
Plant-based oils and extracts
Vitamins and antioxidants
Essential oils
Natural exfoliants like sugar or coffee scrubs
Avoid products with:
Parabens
Sulfates
Phthalates
Artificial fragrances and colors
Incorporating the steps previously mentioned is complimented by the following:
Use gentle, natural cleansers with natural ingredients to remove impurities without stripping the skin's natural barrier of oils, maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.
Next, toner or facial mist to balance skin pH, tighten pores, and prepare skin for moisturizing.
Follow this up with moisturizer, hydrating, nourishing, and protecting the skin barrier, maintaining softness and elasticity. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen regularly, protecting it from the sun's harsh UVA and UVB, preventing sun damage and premature aging.
Around 2-3 times a week, use a natural exfoliation to gently scrub dry skin, removing dead skin cells, and promoting cell turnover, to reveal a brighter complexion.
Complement this with weekly face masks, 2-3 times a week. They provide deep hydration, purify pores, and deliver concentrated nutrients to the skin.
By implementing a holistic skin care routine, you can achieve healthier, more radiant skin while supporting your overall well-being.
Our skin is our protective barrier, shielding us from external elements, and mirroring our internal state. Poor lifestyle choices and health concerns manifest visibly on the skin, causing dryness, sagging, inflammation, and other concerns. To support the skin to be its best, one must look beyond the surface, looking at the full picture, and understanding that skincare goes beyond the surface.
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