Just last night, I was asked what my secret is for healthy skin. If you know my mom, you know that some of it is good genetics.
Here are the beauty secrets I share with my kids — feel free to quiz them next time you see them. My top 5 recommendations for healthy skin in order of priority are:
1) WATER – drink lots of it.
2) SLEEP – get at least 7 hours per night. If you are a teenager, get at least 9 hours.
3) UNPROCESSED FOOD – eat plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, healthy fats and lean meat. Avoid sugar and processed foods.
4) EXERCISE – get regular physical activity doing something you enjoy.
5) STRESS MANAGEMENT – discover what practice works best for you to manage stress – yoga, meditation, prayer, breathing exercises, journaling, or acupuncture.
However, it’s challenging to follow the 5 guidelines above perfectly all of the time. So what products should we use on our skin to address some of the issues we have?
Although there are many products on the market that promise to “cure” your skin ailments, natural alternatives have proven to be effective and one of the safest options for skin treatment.
Here are just a few of the different oils that are easy to add to your skin maintenance routine and can help with frustrations you may be facing.
Moringa Oil
Moringa oil has been around for thousands of years and was originally used by ancient Egyptians. This oil contains antioxidants and fatty acids that help prevent the skin from sun damage and aging while being a natural moisturizer.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is used today as an effective anti-aging treatment. Regular use of argan oil can help tighten the skin and increase oxygenation and nutrients in the cells.
Rosehip Oil
Because of its high content of Vitamin C and Omega fatty acids, rosehip oil is an excellent treatment for restoring the skin and helping heal scar tissue. This oil will help your skin feel replenished and brightened.
Hemp seed oil
If you struggle with oily skin and blocked pores, believe or not, this dry oil can help. Hemp seed oil has a high content of Omega fatty acids that can reduce pore size and eliminate acne. This oil is also used to treat psoriasis and eczema because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut oil
No list of oils provided by a CrossFitter, would be complete without coconut oil – right Shelby, Lorna and Sheri? Shelby recently posted a message on Facebook that said “I just lost my arm… I rubbed coconut oil on it and it grew back!!” While it doesn’t really regenerate lost limbs, coconut oil has many uses and benefits. Not only is it used for skin treatment, but can also be used to whiten your teeth. If you spend a lot of the time in the sun and have dry skin, coconut oil can be used to replenish and moisturize your skin. If you’re looking to whiten your teeth, doing a coconut oil rinse has been proven to remove bacteria and plaque.
There are other alternative options to improving your skin beyond what you apply on the surface. Here are some easy steps to add to your daily routine.
Here are some alternative treatments for healthy looking skin.
Avoid food allergies: Most people who have skin issues also have food allergies that can worsen their skin. Common foods to avoid include gluten, dairy and artificial additives. You can eliminate each food group one at a time to test if it improves your skin.
Replace meat and dairy: By replacing these inflammatory saturated fats with unsaturated fats, you will increase your intake of nutrients that can aid your skin. Unsaturated fats to add to your diet include avocado, olive oil, nuts and flaxseed.
Probiotics: Taking a daily probiotic supplement has been proven to reduce symptoms of dermatitis, a disorder causing itchy, red skin. Probiotics add healthy bacteria to your gut and improve your digestive tract system, which in turn improves the overall health and function of your body.
Remove sugar: Remove sugar and processed foods from your diet. Besides not having a rich nutritional value, processed foods can affect and worsen allergies and skin disorders.
Herbal tea: Herbal teas have been shown to reduce inflammation that comes with eczema. Teas to try include chamomile tea, nettle tea or drinking Aloe Vera.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can stimulate the production of endorphins in the body, which then can improve function of the immune and endocrine systems. Improving these systems can greatly affect the skin and restore it to better health.
Like most common health issues, a healthy diet, exercise, sleep and reducing stress can be of great help. Environmental factors can have a large impact on skin and overall health of the body. By following a daily routine that includes eating natural foods, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and eliminating excess stress, you can see your skin start to improve as well!
Call Northshore Acupuncture Center at (815) 814-1319 today to develop a personalized healthy skin treatment in our Northbrook or Evanston locations! We are your starting point for healthy skin.
Sources:
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/natural-remedies-for-common-skin-disorders/
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