14 HABITS TO STEAL FROM PEOPLE WITH GREAT SKIN

Great skin doesn’t come from buying the most expensive products or having a 12-step daily routine, and despite what cosmetic companies will have you believe, great skin starts from the inside out.

Just like any other part of the body, your skin is made up of cells. And skin cells, like all the other cells in the body, are made up of water. None of your organs will function at their best without enough water, and your skin is no different.  

Our bodies lose large quantities of water every day, and if we don’t replace it by drinking at least 2 litres a day, our skin will suffer the consequences.

Water improves your skin from the inside out and staying hydrated is one of the simplest beauty treatments you can do. Drinking plenty of filtered water improves your complexion by flushing toxins from the body via the digestive system.

Green tea is especially good for reducing puffiness and dark circles

Not only is drinking tea great for your overall health, but it can also keep your skin looking young, bright and fresh. Tea contains tannins and anti-inflammatory antioxidants called catechins that naturally reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation and combat the free radicals that cause our skin to age.

In addition to drinking your favourite tea, you can also use it to refresh your eyes. Green tea is especially good for reducing puffiness and dark circles, but rather than putting used tea bags on your eyes, brew and refrigerate it overnight, soak two cotton balls in tea and place them over your eyes for 5-10 minutes.

Your gut health doesn’t just affect your digestive system; it impacts your entire body. Studies suggest there’s a strong connection between skin issues such as acne, dry skin and eczema and an imbalance of the bacteria in your gut. In contrast, a better balance of beneficial bacteria is linked with an improved complexion.

In addition to eating a diverse whole foods diet rich in probiotic and prebiotic foods, add a gut health supplement like Sarah's Day Body Bloom to your daily routine for glowing, healthy, smooth skin.

Intermittent fasting has many health benefits, including resetting the gut microbiome. This process not only improves skin health by reducing systemic inflammation, but it also activates autophagy, which is the self-cleaning process of our cells.

While fasting, your cellular organelles and damaged molecules are broken down and recycled, promoting cell longevity. For your skin, this means a radiant, glowing and youthful complexion.

Using fewer products is always better than using many

Just like the rest of your body, it pays to listen to your skin. Adopting a strict and rigid skincare routine with lots of different products doesn’t make space for honouring what your skin needs on a day-to-day basis, which can and will change. 

Using fewer products is always better than using many, and having a complete break from your skincare routine can also do wonders for your skin.

There are 43 muscles in the face, most of which are controlled by the facial nerve. Every single day we give our facial muscles a workout by smiling, frowning, chewing, kissing, talking and many other expressive movements. 

Just as a massage can help keep the rest of our bodies feeling relaxed, supple and healthy, our faces can benefit from a massage to release the tension as well. As with any massage, facial massage provides stress relief, enhances circulation and promotes lymphatic detox and flow.  A weekly facial massage detoxes and firms the skin, makes it more radiant and gives the muscles a lift to minimise fine lines.

Your body's hydration rebalances while you’re sleeping, which is why a lack of sleep results in puffy bags and dark circles under your eyes, as well as dryness and more noticeable signs of ageing. 

When you’re sleep-deprived, your body makes more of the stress hormone, cortisol, and too much cortisol can lead to inflammation. More inflammatory cells in the body lead to an increase in the breakdown of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are the molecules that give your skin its glow, bounce, and translucency. Inflammation caused by lack of sleep can also worsen inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. 

On the other hand, the rise in growth hormone while you’re asleep allows damaged cells to be repaired. Consistently getting a good night's sleep will help keep your skin youthful, clear and hydrated, as well as improving any existing skin conditions.

Skin-Care Myth 1: Washing your face with cold water will tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles.

Skin-Care Myth 2: Washing your face with hot water will open your pores for your cleanser to scrub deeper.

Here are the facts: If the water's too hot, it can scald, irritate and damage your skin. If it's too cold, your cleanser won’t dissolve properly, leaving residue instead of cleaning your skin. Extreme water temperatures can also cause broken capillaries if you already have sensitive or thin skin, and finally, pores don't open and close!

You’re probably aware that what you eat affects the appearance of your skin, and that breakouts, dullness or dry patches can often be blamed on eating too much junk food. But do you know the foods of choice for people with great skin?

A healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you achieve glowing, soft and supple skin, and foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, dark chocolate, beans, beets and leafy greens are particularly good choices for glowing skin.

You may have noticed the growing popularity of foods such as bone broths and products that contain collagen peptide powders. One reason for this surge in popularity is that collagen is responsible for skin strength and elasticity.

Getting the full range of essential vitamins and minerals will boost your overall health

Getting the full range of essential vitamins and minerals will boost your overall health, including the health of your skin. However, the most important micronutrients for your skin are vitamins A, E and C.

Foods high in vitamin A can make your skin glow more than having a suntan, as it encourages the development of pigmentation, among other skin benefits. If you want to promote a natural tan without the risk of sun damage, include lots of pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots, as well as dark leafy greens like kale and spinach in your diet. 

Vitamin C not only plays a significant role in collagen synthesis, but it’s also a free-radical fighting antioxidant. This means strong yet supple skin and fewer wrinkles, so incorporate citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, as well as vegetables like broccoli and capsicum to your diet. Vitamin C also supports the immune system to help blemishes heal properly and promote radiant skin. 

Foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds, kale, hazelnuts, avocado and sunflower seeds have anti-inflammatory effects that can help keep you pimple-free and improve conditions such as acne.

Most skin conditions are linked with inflammation, and a higher omega-3 intake has been shown to reduce the production of the molecules and substances associated with inflammation.

So naturally, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts, flax, hemp seeds, chia seeds, seed oils and other plant oils can boost your skin’s resistance to sunburns, reduce acne, and protect against dry, red, and itchy skin.

The monounsaturated fats found in olives, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocados help to increase the skin’s elasticity, but they also maintain the water level in the epidermis to moisturise, hydrate, and keep your skin nourished and renewed.

Ascorbic acid is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skincare. Vitamin C serums work so well because of the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, which aid the skin’s natural regeneration process. In the same way that consuming antioxidant-rich foods helps your body to fight free radicals, topical antioxidants can also help you achieve great skin.

Collagen and elastin are both naturally occurring protein fibres that help keep your skin plump, flexible and firm. As vitamin C is highly acidic, it triggers your skin to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin, which prevents premature ageing. 

At the same time, topical vitamin C also inhibits the production of melanin to prevent skin discolouration like dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

It’s important to appreciate and show off your natural beauty, because makeup may look great, but under the surface, your skin will eventually begin to suffer. Taking a break from makeup for at least two days a week allows your skin to replenish its natural moisture level without having layers of makeup blocking your pores. 

If you usually wear an SPF foundation and decide to take a break from makeup, don’t forget to wear a natural sunscreen or an SPF moisturiser if you’re out in the sun!

The skin benefits as much from exercise as the rest of the body

Have you ever noticed that post-workout glow? It’s real, and there’s a simple explanation for it!

As our largest organ, the skin benefits as much from exercise as the rest of the body. When you exercise and your heart rate goes up, your blood vessels dilate to pump more blood around your body. The increased blood flow improves the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body, including the skin cells.

Exercise also boosts the metabolism of cellular mitochondria, which prevents our skin from thinning as we get older. Interesting studies also suggest that exercise increases the amount of collagen in your skin to keep it looking younger and reverse the signs of ageing.

Breaking a sweat is beneficial in many ways, but there’s an added beauty bonus; your sweat purifies, protects, and rejuvenates your complexion!

Tropeaka Tone BCAA+ not only gives you the energy to work up a good sweat, but it also provides extra support in the production of collagen for healthy, beautiful skin. There are two delicious, 100% all-natural flavours to choose from, so order yours today!