Edible Beauty Skin Care Essentials

Ensuring the skin is kept healthy and radiant is all about ensuring that we are looking after our bodies in a wholesome, loving, and nourishing way – both inside and out. And this need not be complicated or expensive.

The skin is the largest organ in the body.  It is important to provide our skin with the many nutrients it needs to build a strong and healthy barrier, both from the nutrients we eat and the products we use. We are all entitled to radiant luminous skin, and it is as simple as turning beauty inside out.

The three principles I promote when it comes to daily skincare routines include:

1. Hydration:

• Our skin cells have an external barrier that is made of fat, known as a double lipid fatty layer. This means that our skin loves fat. So do not be scared to aid pure oil such as coconut oil, cacao butter, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, and jojoba oil onto the skin. The oil will not be greasy as you may be inclined to think. In fact, the oil will actually absorb quickly, balance the skin’s oil production, and hydrate the skin to diminish fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful and healthy complexion!
• To ensure the skin is hydrated both inside and out, go beyond just lathering your favourite oils onto the skin. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), one of the omega-3 fats, has been shown to preserve the skin-firming protein collagen which promotes firm, ageless skin.  DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), another omega-3 fat, has shown to reduce inflammation for smooth, healthy skin.
• Plant-based fats, such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado and nuts and seeds as well as fish are rich in Omega-3s, enabling your skin to remain healthy supple and firm. Try to incorporate healthy fats into your diet on a daily basis for optimal benefit.
• Hydrating the body with water is a wonderful way to combat the dehydrating effects of the weather, air conditioning and our modern diet. Aim to have at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily to keep both the body and skin hydrated.

2. Antioxidants:

• Antioxidants work on protecting the skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells.
• Antioxidants taken internally are thought to decrease the risk of sun and other environmental damage by neutralising wrinkle-causing free radicals.
• Interestingly, a recent study of healthy men and women in the Netherlands found a significant link between the level of vitamin A in the blood and skin condition.
• Foods that are particularly good to look out for when it comes to antioxidants include berries, cherries, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, kale and superfoods such as Kamu Kamu, macqui, pomegranate and acai.
• Antioxidants in skincare products can do a lot for the health and appearance of the skin, including reducing fine lines, calming inflamed skin, and tightening and toning. Vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are of particular benefit. In addition to helping fortify cells against free radicals, vitamins A and C also encourage cell and tissue growth, assisting the body in repairing itself.
• When purchasing skincare products ensure there is a variety of anti-oxidants within the ingredients list, as the skin loves antioxidants that come from a variety of sources. Ingredients particularly high in antioxidants include Acerola, Rosehip, Pomegranate. Australian extracts including Kakadu Plum, Wattle Seed, Desert Lime, and Davidson Plum are known to be some of the world’s highest plant-based sources of antioxidants.

3. Best Skin Care Practice:

• When it comes to maintaining the skin externally, having a daily routine that includes cleansing and moisturising is critical. Cleansing ensures that impurities are removed from the skin on a daily basis whilst moisturising locks in hydration and ensures the skin is kept firm and supple.
• Choosing products that pledge to be pure is critical as the body absorbs over 60% of what is placed on the skin.
• My philosophy is built on the “edible beauty” principle. That is that you would not place on your skin anything that you would not put in your mouth.
• If you can abide by this practice and look out for products that are rich in natural oils and antioxidants you will reap the benefits of a healthy, natural and radiant glow both inside and out.