THE BASICS OF A HOLISTIC SKINCARE ROUTINE

It takes more than applying serums and moisturisers to have healthy skin.

Ever wondered why you’re breaking out before a big meeting, after eating too much dairy, or during your period?

Your skin is a reflection of all that’s going on inside, including your diet, stress level and hormones. Drawing from my knowledge Beauty Therapist, we look at the bigger picture to understand the root cause of skin imbalances, not just the symptoms. This is the essence of holistic skin care.

Factoring all of this into your skin care routine may seem overwhelming, so we’ve developed a roadmap of simple recommendations to address common concerns. 

Beauty Foods

What you eat plays a pivotal role in supporting skin health. Imbalances in the gut or digestive system can lead to inflammation and sensitive skin. To support a healthy gut, it’s important to consume foods with phytonutrients and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation in the body. The basic rule is to fill your plate with mostly organic fresh vegetables and legumes (beans and peas), then add a smaller amount of whole grains (brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, or barley, not refined white flour or rice). If you’re not vegetarian, include a small portion (3 to 4 ounces) of clean protein like organic beef, free-range poultry, pastured pork, wild game, or oily fish such as wild salmon.

Stress and Your Skin

When we’re stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which is a major contributor to many health problems in the body and the skin. Because cortisol interacts with the circulatory, nervous and immune systems, it can trigger skin-related problems like acne, eczema, hives, psoriasis and rosacea.

While stress may be an inevitable part of our busy lives, we can change how we adapt to it. Herbal remedies like herbal teas and tinctures help the body adapt to stress and relax the nervous system. Adjust your daily rituals to incorporate Adaptogen herbs like Ginseng and Schisandra Berry, which build immunity and energy reserves, and herbs like Chamomile and Passionflower, sedative herbs that help relax the body and mind.

The Skin Microbiome

If all of these factors affect skin health, why do we focus so much on skin care? Nurturing your skin microbiome helps to lay the foundation for healthy skin. This is where ingredients come into play. Avoiding known irritants and choosing nourishing ingredients helps to support and repair the skin barrier, preventing imbalances like acne, rosacea and premature aging.

Skin Care products such as Dr. Hauschka and Weleda combine proven botanicals with clean cosmeceuticals to nourish the skin while delivering results, building a strong foundation for radiant skin.

WHAT IS THE SKIN MICROBIOME?

You've likely heard about the gut microbiome, the seat of our immune system that's home to billions of both good and bad bacteria. Like the gut, the skin has its own microbiome, a complex ecosystem of bacteria that serves as the foundation for healthy skin. Although rarely talked about, a balanced skin microbiome is critical in protecting your skin from acne, irritation and premature aging.

Even if you have a solid skin care routine, you can still be prone to these skin issues because other factors like environmental damage, your skin's pH level, the amount of oil in your skin and hydration all impact the skin microbiome. Therefore, it is important to create a diverse ecosystem where good bacteria can thrive and protect your skin. Here, we'll break down the skin microbiome and the best ways to keep it healthy.

Breaking it down

The three elements of a healthy skin barrier are the skin microbiome, the acid mantle and the lipid barrier. These work in harmony to protect against irritants, environmental damage and infection. The skin microbiome, found at the surface of the skin, is your skin's first line of defense.

Every microbiome is different, so there's no perfect formula to keeping it balanced as it typically varies with location, age and gender. Like the gut, it is important to nourish the beneficial bacteria in your skin's microbiome with prebiotics and probiotics so that it can properly defend against irritants. Prebiotics are nutrients that help feed and strengthen good bacteria. Probiotics are live, good bacteria that help promote a healthy ecosystem.

FOR A HEALTHY SKIN MICROBIOME, FOLLOW THESE HOLISTIC BEAUTY STEPS

Cleanse, Don't Strip

The best thing you can do to protect the skin microbiome is not to over-wash your skin. Over-cleansing and the use of antimicrobial irritants, like sulfates and parabens, wipes out all bacteria, leaving your skin exposed to irritants and pathogens. Resist over-washing your face and consider a cleansing balm to enhance the skin barrier.

Rebalance the Skin's pH

Even gentle cleansing can disrupt the skin's pH balance. Cleansers are alkalizing by nature, but for beneficial bacteria to thrive, our skin microbiome prefers a more acid environment, around a 5. Use a hydrating plant mist to bind moisture to the skin and restore the skin's pH after cleansing.

Exfoliate to Prime the Skin

Over time, dead skin cells can build up on the surface of the skin, making it more difficult for the skin microbiome to do its job. Apply a gentle enzyme peel once or twice a week to sweep away dead skin cells, accelerate cell turnover and increase the absorption of other products into the skin.

Support the Skin Barrier

Hyaluronic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids and Ceramides are three ingredients that help to nourish the skin barrier. Replenish damaged lipids with moisturisers, facial oils and other products that feature these key ingredients.

Protect with SPF

Swap chemical sunscreen for a mineral-based SPF, which creates a physical barrier to shield the skin from UVA and UVB rays, while also helping to calm inflammation in acne-prone skin.

“Your skin is a vibrant organ interacting with both internal and external forces on a daily basis as it seeks to maintain balance.”