The modern market is absolutely flooded with skincare advice, the latest product or technology to “heal” your skin, foods to include in your diet and foods to avoid, supplements that claim to “detox” your skin and so much more..
But what is your skin actually telling you?
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and as such – it externally reflects what’s going on.
Your skin is an amazing diagnostic tool, because it shows us when we look in the mirror that something could be a little (or a lot) out of balance internally.
Some of the most common skin disruptors include..
- Hormonal Imbalance (Androgens, Oestrogen, Progesterone, Insulin)
- Poor elimination capacity
- Poor skin hygiene
- Poor gut health
- Stress
- Dietary triggers
Let’s expand on the last dot point a little bit..
Some dietary food groups are more of a concern than others.
When it comes to skin; some of the most problematic food groups include..
- High GI Foods (such as refined carbohydrates and added sugars)
- Dairy
- Processed or “junk” foods
- Vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, rice bran, sesame etc.)
- Alcohol
NOTE: These are not all triggers for every person. Every person is different, so it is always
important to consult a practitioner to determine what foods may be causing an issue for
you.
So how about getting on the road to healing?
Here are some of our go-to Naturopathic tips for healthy skin!
- Consuming at least 2L of fresh, filtered water every day (even more if exercising or
on a warm day). Water is vital for cellular health and to help transport nutrients around the
body. It is also essential to transport wastes away from the skin! - Eat the rainbow! Different coloured fruits and vegetables benefit our bodies in
different ways, so aim for variety: green leafy vegetables, green/orange/yellow/dark
purple/red fruits and vegetables. - Include sources of healthy fats: avocado, nuts & seeds, olive/hemp/flaxseed oil
- Try to consume 3 serves of wild-caught fish per week to increase Omega 3 fatty acids
- Cleanse twice daily with a non-comedogenic face wash suitable for your skin type
(try to avoid unnecessary chemicals & drying alcohols). Eg. Weleda “Purifying Gel
Cleanser” or Go-To “Properly Clean” - Use Tea Tree as a spot treatment. Ensure that you mix it with a hydrating carrier oil
(like almond oil) and apply with a clean cotton tip on each area to avoid spreading
bacteria. - Use mineral/certified organic products (makeup, tanning, nail polish, body care,
cleaning etc). Conventional products can contribute to hormonal imbalance, skin
irritation, and skin congestion. Make use of the Skin Deep Database
(https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) to check the safety of your products. - Try to maintain good hygiene with anything coming into contact with your skin
(pillows, bath towels, makeup brushes etc.) – wash in hot water with anti-bacterial
products as much as possible, and spray with a tea-tree oil between washes. - Talk to a practitioner about nutraceutical or herbal supplementation (if needed).
Some commonly prescribed supplements/herbs include: Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C,
Fish Oils/Algae Oil, Chaste Tree, Echinacea, Burdock, Peony, and Licorice. - Talk to a practitioner about herbal supplementation/remedies such as Chaste Tree,
Peony, Licorice, Echinacea, Blue Flag.
Allanah Robinson-Cook
