my skincare tips.
Skincare is something that I take pretty seriously. I struggled with acne for many years, and finally discovered that it was all because I had underlying food intolerances that I hadn't realized I'd had. Having acne is SO hard. It's actually a little traumatic. For years I felt gross, and embarrassed, like all the time. So now that I have figured out what makes my skin happy, I figured I'd share, just in case someone else is looking for a little shakeup in their skincare routine.
So here are a few of my tips for maintaining clear, healthy skin.
1. Eat healthy
I think maybe this is a point in all the lists that I make on the blog, but I think it is probably the most important lifestyle choice you can make, not only for your skin, but for your general well-being. But for your skin especially, it is ideal to not consume dairy, gluten, sugar and processed foods. They should be avoided as much as possible, because they are all inflammatory in the gut, which can lead to inflammation on your face. Which you do not want! Also, sugar has been linked to premature aging of the skin...so yea...you don't want that, right?! I try to eat mostly vegetables and lean vegan proteins when I can. But I do eat meat, even though I don't really think it's the healthiest choice, or the best choice for our planet, I tend to have low iron, and no matter how much spinach I eat, I can't seem to deal with that issue. Plus, I'm breastfeeding still and need lots of protein!! But anyways, stick to vegetables, and proteins like nuts & seeds (chia, sunflower and pumpkin seeds are my faves). Whole foods are definitely the best foods for your skin!
2. Exfoliate
I exfoliate evey 2-3 days or so, as I have read that it's the optimal timing for your skin. I also find that it makes my skin so much smoother and makes my makeup go on so much more nicely. So, like many of you I'm sure, I'm always on a budget, and I always prefer easy, natural solutions. So to exfoliate I take a little coconut oil, and a little cane sugar, and I scrub them in a circular motion. Then rinse. Make sure you're not using hot hot water to rinse. Luke warm/cool water is best.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil works wonders for me. I use it every night to remove my makeup, and to moisturize post makeup removal. I have found that it works better than any night cream I have tried, and it's SO much more economical.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
I read once that this is something Scarlett Johannsen did, so I thought I'd give it a try. Put some apple cider vinegar on a cotton pad and sweep it along your face in an upward motion to help remove any leftover makeup or dirt. It basically works as a toner. And I find that in comparison to a storebought toner, it keeps my skin more moisturized, instead of drying it out. I've also found that it helps with redness. Just make sure to lather on some coconut oil after applying the apple cider vinegar, it really helps to minimize the smell so that you don't torture whomever might be sleeping in bed with you!
5. Non-toxic makeup
I struggled to find the right makeup for my skin for years. Everything just made my skin feel so greasy. I felt like my body was rejecting it, and by the afternoon I looked like a mess. Now I use arbonne makeup and I LOVE it!! Not only is it free of parabens and other icky chemicals that might cause you cancer or disrupt your hormones, but it actually stays on all day and looks great. It's a winner. Also important is to make sure that you apply a good moisturizer on your skin before applying makeup - I use arbonne for that too (because coconut oil is just to greasy for that!). This way you get a lovely hydrated complexion all day long.
6. Skin detoxing products
I love these product from Skintox. Not only do they smell AMAZING, but they help to detox from the outside in. And it's so nice to feel pampered with a lovely mask and a detox bath. Definitely worth a try!!
xo
melo