I know it sounds like a cliché, but beauty really is an inside job. What I put into my body truly shows on the outside. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, so it’s no surprise that it reveals the state of our inner health. A nourishing diet and lifestyle will be reflected with glowing, radiant skin, whereas a stressed, tired body and nutrient-lacking diet will be reflected in dullness, dryness, blemishes and other skin common conditions.
Here, I’ve outlined my diet, nutrition and lifestyle tips to optimise wellbeing and give your skin that lit-from-within glow.
MY 9 PRINCIPLES FOR HEALTHY, GLOWING SKIN
1. Maintain a wholefood diet
For skin health, focus on enjoying good fats, proteins, greens and healthy grains at each meal. Every meal should contain these important macronutrients. Fill half your plate with greens and don’t be afraid of good fats such as avocado and nuts. Good sources of protein include fish, chicken, eggs, beans and legumes.
2. Look after your gut health
Taking care of your gut health is so important for maintaining healthy skin. Taking a daily prebiotic is a great start. I also like adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to a two-litre water bottle and sipping it throughout the day. This helps to cleanse the gut and stimulate digestion.
3. Enjoy probiotic-rich foods
Foods such as organic yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi and sauerkraut contain a range of live probiotics that help our bodies to digest and absorb nutrients. Fermented foods are rich in antioxidants, which are known to boost skin health and combat the appearance fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Limit your intake of inflammatory foods
I believe that there are three main dietary culprits that cause skin issues: gluten, dairy and sugar. Dairy can be inflammatory and can cause issues for people with redness, skin irritation and eczema. Sugar can break down collagen, which is believed to accelerate ageing of the skin. Gluten can leave you feeling inflamed and lethargic – which shows on the outside.
5. Consider supplementation
Feeding your skin with important minerals – such as selenium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E – helps to prevent ageing and support other bodily functions. In my clinical experience, zinc and iodine are fantastic beauty boosters. Zinc is a trace mineral that’s known to stimulate collagen production, control inflammation and help the liver eliminate waste. Iodine, on the other hand, is known to regulate metabolism, aid thyroid function and support healthy skin and hair. My range of JSHealth Vitamins are rich in both zinc and iodine, and help to support skin health, energy and wellbeing.
6. Stay hydrated
I know it’s been said time and time again, but hydration is crucial for skin health. It’s so important to drink two litres of water each day, as it helps to nourish your body’s cells and helps your skin stay supple.
7. Stimulate skin circulation
I love having a shower and alternating between hot and cold water. This oxygenates the skin and stimulates circulation. I also like using a natural body scrub which removes dead skin cells. Another tip is to exercise, which gets your lymphatic system flowing and encourages the release of toxins.
8. Reduce daily stressors
When it comes to our outward beauty, taking care of our lifestyle habits is essential. Getting eight hours of sleep, managing stress, exercising moderately and taking care of mental health are important. Some helpful practices to reduce daily stressors are setting social media boundaries, deep belly breathing and practising yoga.
9. Practise gratitude and affirmations
To me, living a happy, healthy living means waking up and feeling good in my body. First thing in the morning, I express gratitude for my body and repeat positive affirmations such as, ‘I am healthy, I am happy and I practise gratitude for the abundance in my life.’
I believe that beauty begins and ends with the feeling of inner happiness and contentment. No amount of beauty products can give the illumination that comes from a kind heart.
