How to get clearer skin, from the inside out
You have tried every topical antibiotic from the doctors and your skin is still not as clear as you would like it to be? Have you ever considered how the health of your insides may be impacting your skin? There are simple things that can be done through diet and lifestyle changes to support the healing of your skin.
Are you doing your best to support your skins health?
Water
An oldie but a goodie, you have heard it all before. Water will help the appearance of your skin. But how? Water acts as a delivery boy to your skin. The more hydrated you are the easier your skin is receiving oxygen and nutrients. Our skin cells are constantly turning over, so making sure they are receiving the proper nutrition is essential. Even though you are eating really well doesn't necessarily mean that all those nutrients are reaching your skin.
Water also helps to hydrate the cell itself. Dry skin is an indicator that more water is needed to consumed, so put brew that herbal tea and fill up your drink bottle…you have some drinking to do! Aiming for 2 litres a day is a good place to start.
Good fats
Good fats are a must when it comes to maintaining clear skin, no two ways about it!
Anti-inflammatory: Fats fall into different categories. unsaturated, trans, saturated…to make it easier just remember that there are good fats and bad. Good fats are you unsaturated kinds and a abundant with omega 3. These good fats are anti-inflammatory in your body. The bad fats are saturated and trans fats and these bad fats promote inflammation in the body. laying off the fried and processed foods and increasing the fish, nuts and avocado will help to take any redness out of your skin.
Thins sebum: For all you acne sufferers out there you know about sebum. Sebum is the natural oil produced by your skin. Which is great! But it can cause issues when it becomes to thick and clogging up the skin. Having adequate good fats in your diet is important as it is going to help thin this sebum out and prevent blockages from occurring.
Hydrating: The outer membrane of your skin cells are made of fats, so making sure that there are plenty of good fats in your diet will ensure that these cells are healthy and hydrated. Reducing the likely hood of any dry and itchy skin from occurring.
How do you know if you're getting enough good fats? Looking at your diet you should be consuming fish 1-2 times a week, and having lots of nuts, seeds, cold pressed oils such as olive oil, flaxseed oil etc, and avocado. By having plenty of these types of foods daily will ensure that you are getting lots of good fats.
If you don't feel like you will be getting enough then investing in a fish oil supplement may prove to be beneficial. And remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to supplements so beware of cheap and nasty products.
Exercise
While water is the delivery man, exercise is the bike on which he delivers. Exercise helps to pump the blood which is rich in oxygen and nutrients (at least it should be!) to your skin to help repair and replenish the cells.
For the blood to reach the outer periphery it takes a fair bit of blood pumping activity so if you're not puffing, your skin probably won’t be getting the full benefit.
Limit your sugar
Sugar is another food that will cause inflammation, so reducing your intake of refined sugar will help to reduce any redness. If you suffer with acne then reducing refined sugar will reduce the growth of bacteria, as bacteria love to feed off sugar.
Pay attention to your hormones.
If your skin flares up around that time of the month then your skin may be caused by a slight hormonal imbalance. Seeking advice from your natal heath care practitioner will give you a great insight into what is going on in your body and what you can do to correct any imbalances, hormonal or other.
TLC
Thats right, your skin deserves to be pampered. So making sure that you are using good quality products with simple, high quality ingredients is essential. My girl Alysia from Aura Health & Beauty is my go-to when it comes to skin care. If you have any questions that directly relate to skin care products, natural make ups and skin care routines then jump over to her facebook, give it a like and ask her, she is more than happy to answer your questions and is amazing at what she does :)
Karah is available for consultations in Ocean Grove, Geelong and Melbourne. You can keep up to date on everything health by liking her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/karahmnaturopath , following her on instagram @belyhealth , or visiting her website www.karahmclarennaturopath.com
Peninsula Family Medical Practice, Ocean Grove. Ph 03 52562001
Aura Health & Beauty, Geelong. Ph 03 52433966
A Peace of Health Clinic, Melbourne CBD. Ph 0396633665
