fbpx

5 Secrets to Creating Healthy, Younger Looking Skin

Did you know that more than $58 billion is spent globally each year on anti-aging products? I know it sounds crazy and a little hard to wrap our heads around but it is an entire industry built on the promotion of products like anti-aging serums, special creams, cosmetics and even pharmaceutical products all designed to make us look younger and to make our pocket books a little lighter.

But what if I told you, there is an easier way. One that focuses on highlighting your best features from the inside out. One that is inexpensive and fits right into your normal daily routine. No special serums, expensive creams or magic pills. Well my friend, that’s what today’s article is all about.

As a functional nutritional therapy practitioner (FNTP), I know that what we put IN our bodies is just as important as what we put ON our bodies when it comes to maintaining health, youthfulness and beauty.

As a woman I know how important it is to take care of myself for my overall health and also so that I always look and feel my best. I’ve done the research, I’ve tested what works and what doesn’t, and I’ve packaged my top 5 beauty secrets so that you too can bring out our inner beauty and feel great all at the same time!

Beauty Secret #1: Detox – One thing that makes our skin look dull and zaps our energy is toxins. Toxins from our environment, from alcohol, from medications and from our food can all wreak havoc on how we look and feel. Avoid toxins when possible. Avoid eating processed foods and beverages, trans fats, unnecessary over the counter medications, smoking, second hand smoke and overdrinking alcohol. Removing these aging culprits from our diet and lifestyle can give us a head start on creating beautiful skin and a healthy body.

#2: Antioxidants – Feed your body and your skin well! Flood your body with colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, leafy greens, bell peppers, beets, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. The more colorful the fruit, the more antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants help to break down the toxins stored in our cells and allow our bodies to excrete them through our bowels, urine and sweat. Add plenty of healthy protein like chicken, beef, lamb and fish to increase production and rebuilding of new healthy cells. And, add Omega 3 fats to your diet in the form of walnuts, pumpkin seeds, salmon, other cold-water fish, and cod liver oil. Just one tablespoon of my favorite cod liver oil Nordic Naturals supplies an optimal level of omega 3 fats in the form of EPA and DHA which is healthy for your heart, feeds your brain, can lower cholesterol and you guessed it improves the cellular composition of your skin.

#3 Hydration – If you’ve been hanging out with me much either on social or reading my blog at www.Simply28.com you know that I am a huge proponent of drinking plenty of water. Hydration is key to help remove toxins and to help supply vitamins and minerals to our cells so that we can utilize them, for cellular healing. Water also helps to plump all of our cells up. Healthy hydrated cells should look something like a grape – smooth on the outside. They are plump and flexible and can be gently squeezed. Nutrients can easily travel in to the cell and toxins move out. Dehydrated cells on the other hand shrivel up like a raisin. Their skins become tough and wrinkly which prevents nutrients from entering through the cellular wall and also prevents toxins within the cell from flowing out to be excreted. Hydration is key to keep internal cells healthy and also to keep our skin cells smooth, soft and supple.

#4 Quality Rest – At different times in our life it can be challenging to get really quality sleep at night. Stress from work, worrying about our kids or even hormonal imbalances can disrupt our sleep patterns. But sleep is essential when it comes to rebuilding your body’s largest organ – your skin. To improve your sleep avoid eating large meals and especially sweets late at night. Limit or avoid alcohol and limit screen time on computers, your phone or even the television right before bed. It’s also helpful to set up a night time habit or routine whether it’s brushing your teeth, washing your face or taking a long hot bath with Epsom salts to improve your slumber. Getting your “beauty rest” is a real thing.

#5 Exfoliation – Sounds simple right? Scrub off that top layer of dry skin to reveal the new healthy cells beneath. My favorite way to do this is with a sugar and coconut oil scrub. Sugar crystals provide enough friction to remove the old cells without causing micro abrasions or fine scratches to the healthy skin. The coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes your skin. To make your own sugar scrub, simply mix ¾ cup sugar with 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. It the coconut oil is too hard, warm it for a few seconds in a microwave so that you can easily mix the sugar. If desired add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil such a lavender, orange or peppermint. Once mixed, store in a small jar or container with a lid. Apply to skin with your hands and massage in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water. I keep a jar in my shower and exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week to keep my skin looking bright and fresh year round.

Well, there you have it my friend. My top 5 secrets to look and feel your best at any stage of life.

Enjoy and may you always “Live Life Healthy and Happy.”