12 Holistic Beauty Tips To Get Beautiful Skin This Season
Summer is over and the season of change is upon us. With it our skin and body is faced with a series of issues that right about now need some attention and TLC. Over-played skin that has spent too many days at the beach, enjoying summertime cocktails, late nights or just those lazy days of summer that caused you to lax too much can now be rearing it's ugly head. Seasonal transition can accompany noticeable changes in the skin, such as dry or red patches, blotchiness, breakouts, retained sebum.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fall is governed by the energy of change and ruled by the element of Metal; this element also rules the organs of the large intestine and the lungs said to be our "Fountain of Youth" and "The Breath of Life." To promote inner harmony and clear skin, autumn is a traditional time to adjust our dietary intake and pursue some form of internal cleansing and keep these organs healthy and strong, since they are two of the most stressed due to poor eating and pollutants (smoking and unhealthy environments,etc.). Congesting diets lead to poor elimination and create tension and exhaustion on our body and especially the skin. Too often, our beauty regimen is also packed with harsh chemicals and quick fixes that don't work for long-term skin health and threatens the skin's natural defense.
What's the solution?
Here are my 12 holistic beauty tips to prepare for the colder, drier months ahead and get beautiful, balanced skin for this season and beyond:
1. Stay hydrated.
Humidifying room air and keeping well-hydrated internally will prevent the tendency to develop chapped skin and dry, uncomfortable nasal passages.
2. Eat a balanced diet.
Consume a balanced diet rich in fatty acids, minerals, and green leafy vegetables, most of which contain enough water to boost your hydration.
3. Eliminate sugar.
If possible, eliminate all sugar, wheat, and heavier fried foods, all of which cause inflammation and an acidic environment in the body. This will be helpful to decongest your digestive system and support the organs of elimination, and in turn will noticeably increase your energy and skin clarity.
4. Do a juice cleanse.
An early autumn cleansing will help regulate your skin and body and can help you achieve clear, glowing skin, purify the kidneys and clean and strengthen the blood. Juicing is the key to radiant skin and health. Green vegetable juices have anti-infective assets, they counterbalance the body’s pH, rid the body of acid waste, purge the body of mucous, and perform a cellular cleansing.
5. Stay away from skincare containing harsh abrasives, chemical preservatives and synthetic fragrance.
Anything that strips the skin's lipid and sebum barrier leaves skin vulnerable to dehydration. Talc-based cosmetics, common cleanser detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and topical irritants (such as alcohol and benzoyl peroxide) all pose a threat to skin’s delicate moisture balance.
6. Exfoliate at least twice a week.
Use products combining naturally occurring fruit acids or enzymes. As soon as the more receptive cells are exposed to these ingredients, there will be better absorption of topical antioxidants and humectants, which in turn will plump the skin’s liquid reserve to prevent future dehydration and ensure healthy hydration throughout Fall and Winter.A sugar scrub for the body is more delicate this time of the year, so look for scrubs with butters and oils, not glycerin or chemical additives.
7. Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Both of these dehydrate.
8. Get your zzzs.
Be sure to get enough sleep, which encourages regeneration of body cells and tissues.
9. Exercise often.
This increases blood flow to every single organ of your body, including the skin, and will always produce an improved complexion and a beautiful healthy glow.
10. Change your shower routine.
Dry brushing before your bath or shower will not only remove all skin debris, but it will also stimulate circulation and help flush toxins through the lymphatic system. Keep the bath or shower short and use lukewarm water. Purchasing a shower filter is a good idea, too! Unfiltered water contains high amounts of chemical compounds, such as chlorine and fluoride, which alkalize water. Alkaline water severely alters the skin’s pH, causing more dryness.
11. Meditate your way to radiant skin.
Meditation is one of of the few stressless practices in the world that can truly rejuvenate your skin, transforming all your cells and tissues. The effect of meditation, when practiced properly and consistently, is like an anti-aging pill that cleanses your skin and rejuvenates your complexion.
12. Have More Sex.
I saved the best for last. Do it and do it often! It's true – sex gives your skin a heavenly glow. It improves blood circulation, which helps to pump oxygen to your skin and make it brighter. It also helps to eliminate toxins and reduces hormone levels, balancing and controlling acne, and boosts collagen production to prevent aging, dryness and wrinkles.
Conclusion:
A holistic approach to beauty is smart one, since it balances the needs of your body, your mind and your spirit and takes each of these into account when establishing a customized skincare philosophy for any condition.
Remember, this is the season of rest. Take time out for yourself, quiet the mind, eat well and practice the art of self-care and enjoy the benefits of beautiful, radiant skin all season long.
Until Next Time,
Claudia