Holistic Beauty: Why Skincare Isn't Enough
In the quest for beautiful skin, we typically turn to skincare products. While there's no doubt that topical products can be effective, they have their limitations. We must be realistic about the results we can get from skincare alone, and understand that a range of factors determines our skin quality.
Taking a holistic approach to skincare will not only help us improve our skin, it will also help us age well and maintain good health.
Holistic (adjective)
Dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part.
The health and wellbeing world already preaches the benefits of a body/mind/spirit approach, and skincare is no different.
What's going on in our bodies is directly reflected in our skin. Acne, eczema, dryness and other skin conditions are caused by various factors such as hormone balance, gut health, and nutritional deficiencies, to name a few. An excellent resource to create beauty from within is Dr Libby Weaver's book Beauty From The Inside Out.
The cornerstones of holistic beauty
- Skincare
- Nutrition
- Targeted supplements
- Mind/body connection
Inner Beauty Tips
Support your liver
Our livers are constantly busy processing toxins, and often don't get a break. Did you know that the liver also deals with excess hormones? We know that hormone balance is key for good skin, so it's no surprise that supporting the liver is one of the first steps towards happy hormones. The easy fix? Plenty of leafy greens. Using a greens powder in your smoothie is also a great way to give your liver some love.
Supplement smartly
Beauty supplements are trending globally, but what actually works? You can't go wrong with zinc which is crucial for all-round health and skin healing. Another often overlooked supplement is vitamin C: a powerful antioxidant that we must replenish every day as our bodies cannot store it. If you need an essential fatty acid boost, flaxseed oil, fish oil, and evening primrose oil are all excellent options to promote healthy skin.
Naturally, we believe that peptide collagen is the ultimate beauty supplement given its incredible ability to boost and replenish natural collagen stores. Collagen production decreases as we age by around 1% per year - so slowly that we may not notice any difference until we are in our thirties and forties. It's never too late or too early to add collagen into your daily regime. Learn more about the benefits of collagen here.
Reduce sugar consumption
Sugar can accelerate the aging process and cause wrinkles, skin sagging, rashes, acne, and other skin issues. The less you eat, the better.
Get all your nutrients
Be sure to get adequate dietary protein to support collagen and elastin formation (alongside a collagen supplement). Essential fatty acids - specifically Omega 3 - are a godsend for dry, inflamed skin. Eat colourful, antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to fight oxidative damage. While a balanced diet is essential, some people see an improvement in their skin on a low or reduced dairy diet, especially those suffering from acne and breakouts.
Top Beauty Foods
- Avocado
- Leafy greens
- Oily fish
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Flaxseed
- Chia seeds
- Turmeric
Reduce stress
We know that stress can affect our health, but did you know that stress ages us? We all know someone who wears their stress on their face. Yoga and meditation are both excellent ways to reduce your stress levels, but any form of relaxation will help.
Outer Beauty Tips
Cleanse gently
Our skin responds best to gentle care, not harsh, astringent cleansers and scrubs that can disrupt the delicate skin barrier. A good skincare regime starts with a mild cleanser, which is why we developed our Collagen Cleanse bar: a silky smooth, lightweight cleansing foam which effortlessly dissolves away impurities, removes makeup and brightens skin.
Avoid fragranced products
Have you ever bought a face cream because it smells nice? We're guilty too. Though your products might smell amazing, fragrance in skincare is highly irritating - even natural fragrance like essential oils. The irritation happens at a micro-level and can also affect collagen production!
A scent-free skincare collection may feel a little dull, but the benefits of eliminating fragrance speak for themselves. Expect calmer, less inflamed skin that will age better.
Apply active treatment products
If you're going to invest in skincare, make it potent. You don't need multiple expensive creams and serums. One or two active products can make a world of difference to your skin.
Our pick? The multi-tasking Adashiko Collagen + Noni Gel. Our soothing gel creme serum has hit cult-like status, and we've had some incredible feedback rolling in. It exfoliates, tones, hydrates, repairs, and regenerates, and is formulated with low molecular weight active ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin for optimal absorption and results.
Protect your skin from the sun
A dull and repetitive message, but one that could save your skin in the long run. The sun - along with smoking - remains the top cause of skin aging. Even if you're young with lovely skin, daily cumulative exposure will affect your skin in the years ahead. Use a sunscreen every day and avoiding sunbathing at all costs.
