Inner Beauty Rituals – by beauty guru Neha Hobson

By Neha Hobson. 

Real beauty lies in wellness

In the age of limitless skincare options, have you considered that your skin’s ability to thrive might be linked to wellness above anything else?

I’m a fervent believer in high-quality skincare, but in my 30’s I’m discovering that facial tools and skincare serums are only one part of the equation. I’ve personally found that the secret to my best skin lies in my inner beauty rituals and self-care practices.

How did I get here?

In the last 2-3 years especially, my work has exposed me to high-quality green beauty and wellness products, reminding me of the benefits of going back to what’s natural and looking at beauty from a holistic perspective. I’ve also now aware of what the majority of the beauty industry promotes – chemicals, parabens, toxins, and basically everything designed to wreak havoc on your insides.

Curating the perfect skin routine has been a beautiful by-product of taking control of my gut health.

By paying attention to the correlation between the condition of my gut microbiome and my skin health in my 30’s, I’ve made better diet and lifestyle decisions. This has included creating a morning and evening routine using the right beauty supplements, tonics and elixirs. I’ve managed to get rid of the dark circles under my eyes and the persistent dehydration in my skin upon waking up – just a few of the things I considered “normal” in my 20’s.

My skin remains the #1 thing I’m complimented on, with the most common statement being “you look 25” – and whilst I won’t tell you my age, I can tell you that besides the usual fine lines and seasonal ups and downs one can expect in their 30’s, I would say I’m more confident in my skin now more than ever.

I attribute this skin upgrade to a few factors:

1. Making my gut health a priority in my 30’s (by having a plant-based diet, and creating lifestyle choices and wellness routines that deliberately reduce stress)
2. Understanding the key ingredients that my skin requires in each season, rather than choosing trending ingredients (for example, my skin loves rich oils and hyaluronic acid all year round)
3. A consistent morning and evening routine using beauty supplements that enhance my gut health and give me a glow from within (using brands like Edible Beauty)

If you’re like me and you suffer from ongoing gut issues, you’ll notice that the dysregulation limits you from absorbing vitamins and nutrients efficiently from food alone which can manifest in various ways including fatigue, hair loss, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances. 

I’ve been using the Edible Beauty range intermittently for two to three years but most recently decided to focus on a handful of products recommended by Anna Mitsios (the founder) and her team for my concerns.

Whilst there is some controversy and debate around how effective beauty supplements can be, I believe there are many low-quality replicas on the market that have caused this type of confusion. Anna being a highly-experienced naturopath has created every product with research and precision for specific results, and, as a brand, Edible Beauty continues to educate and create innovative products when it comes to beauty from within.

Edible Beauty Routines

For me, the proof has been in the changes I’ve seen and felt over the last 2-3 months specifically, hence I’m sharing my routines along with product information.

My Morning Routine: Gut-Skin Supercharge Smoothie

-1 tablespoon Gut Replenish Powder

-1 tablespoon Native Collagen Powder 

-1 x banana

-Small handful of blueberries or blackberries

-Small handful of baby spinach leaves

-1 scoop of Complexion Protein (Edible Beauty’s newest product, a plant-based vegan protein powder)

More info on each supplement:

Gut Replenish – A chocolate-banana flavored powder that’s ideal for the morning smoothie! Containing Polyphenol-rich ingredients (Cacao and Berries), Anti-Microbial Herbs (Black Walnut and Cinnamon), Green Banana Powder, gut-healing ingredients (Licorice and Turmeric), as well as ingredients for cleansing, liver and digestive enzyme support (such as Diatomaceous Earth and Red Marine Algae) – this soothing, powerhouse blend is a must for anyone who suffers from digestive issues.

Native Collagen Powder – It’s been a challenge for me to find a good quality plant-based, vegan collagen for years. Containing unique antioxidants and potent superfruits like Kakadu Plum, Quandong, Hibiscus, Mountain Pepper Berry, Sea Buckthorn, and Maqui Berry, this collagen is a natural and powerful catalyst for anti-aging. It is also packed with Vitamin C, pro-Vitamin A, amino acids, and Aloe Vera making it super nourishing for the skin.

Complexion Powder – This isn’t your average protein powder! Not only is it vegan, plant-based, and without additives, it contains no artificial sweeteners and preservatives. It contains organic sprouted Pea Protein powder (a highly bioavailable protein with all nine essential amino acids), organic sprouted brown rice protein powder, hemp bran, vitamins C (inclusive of Kakadu Plum which is the highest natural source of Vitamin C), rice peptides, hyaluronic acid (for beautifully hydrated skin), Dunaliella Salina powder (marine algae high in Vitamin A), Tremella / Snow Mushroom (traditionally used in Chinese medicine to enhance beauty).

My Bi-Weekly Routine: Liver Detox

About twice a week, I use the Beauty Detox (Liver Support) shot to help with detoxing and cleansing my system.

If you have gut issues, your ability to get rid of toxins will also be compromised which can manifest through a slow metabolism, sluggish energy, and congested skin. If you’ve noticed acne-prone skin or heavy premenstrual symptoms, this type of tonic will be an excellent addition to your self-care routine.

“The digestive bitters in this mix encourage the release of enzymes which enhance digestion, reduce bloating, and help your body’s overall detoxification process.” With Nettle leaves, Globe Artichoke, Turmeric, Choline, Burdock Root, its slightly bitter taste is deliberately designed to activate the enzymes in your liver. I usually mix it with freshly-squeezed orange juice or any other smoothie or juice.

My Evening Routine – Refreshing Beauty Elixir

-2 x teaspoons of Beauty Dew

-Fresh juice or Iced Sparkling Water on ice

With Zinc, Vitamin C, and most importantly, a potent, bioavailable, organic Silica assists with new growth, elasticity and strengthening the skin, hair and nails from within. Black Rice and Prickly Pear help to regulate and balance hormones. 

Results

Hair thinning as a result of an imbalanced gut microbiome has been one of my key concerns over the last few years. Whilst I’ve recently began a gut-healing plan with prescribed medications and ayurvedic rituals, I’ve been taking this collagen supplement for the last 2-3 months. I’ve noticed visibly less hair loss especially after washing and styling my hair. Also, my hairdresser informed me that fresh growth is obvious to her within the last few weeks, which has been a relief because there were times this wasn’t happening over the last year. I understand that these changes take time, but it’s a very positive result.

One of my favorite things about Edible Beauty is that they use high-quality plant-based collagen, which is hard to find on the market. Collagen is something our bodies naturally produce for firm, youthful skin, and beautiful hair and nails, but it reduces as we age.

“Whilst supplements are fantastic for replenishing reserves, most are animal-derived and come from fish scales, cowhides, or the connective tissues of pigs, cows, and even rabbits. These sources are not only highly processed, but they are also not in line with our “cruelty-free” stance. We have created an innovative formula – GMO-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, tested for heavy metals and pesticides, low allergenic and low-environmental impact to provide you with a high quality and clean protein blend.” (Source: Edible Beauty)

Anna also stresses that watching your protein intake is crucial if you’re dealing with thinning hair or hair loss, along with checking your iron and zinc levels, and hormonal imbalances. 

“The hair is predominantly composed of protein and is one of the last parts of the body to receive nutrients as other vital organs are prioritized when it comes to nutrient delivery,” says Anna, “Supplementing with a vegan protein powder can be helpful if you are finding your daily intake is below the 50 grams / 1.8ounce mark. High levels of a hormone known as DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone linked to testosterone can contribute to hair loss.  Enjoying a diet which is low in Glycaemic Index (GI), upping your intake of green tea and foods rich in zinc (pumpkin seeds are a good source), and reducing your stress levels may also help.”

Whilst results can vary from each individual and take anywhere from 3-6 months or more, what I’ve noticed is an improvement in the strength and shininess of my hair, new growth coming through, and the fact that my nails aren’t as weak and brittle anymore.

There are also positive changes in my skin and digestion.

The lipid barrier and hydration levels of my skin have improved, as my facialist tells me that not having my usual treatments last year (due to covid) seems to have had minimal impact on my skin. She is impressed by the suppleness and youthfulness of my skin, and feels that it is more resilient and able to handle more actives now than one to two years back.

From a digestive point of view, I feel less bloated, and my digestive system works well as a result of my morning smoothie.

Conclusion

It’s one thing to read that our gut is our second brain and that there is a direct correlation between gut health and skin, and quite another to experience an external change firsthand by creating the right inner beauty rituals.

If you’d like to explore the Edible Beauty wellness range or skincare, click here and use my code NH20 to get started with a site-wide discount. You can also do a virtual skin consultation.

Note: Edible Beauty is cruelty-free, eco-friendly, gluten-free, vegan, wild-crafted, toxin-free, and ethical. They also have a fantastic blog on beauty and wellness, and my favourite articles in relation to inner beauty include:

The Impact of an Unhealthy Gut on your Skin

Your Cravings Decoded

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Neha Hobson is a content creator, published beauty writer and copywriter in the ethical beauty space. Connect with her here:
Instagram 
Email: neha@beautybyneha.com