Over a nearly decade-long career in research and working with folks 1:1 as a consultant, I have narrowed down 4 tips for how to best support your skin health inside & out. Below you’ll find my tips for taking care of your skin (inside AND out). From inside skin tips for every body to products you can use on the outside to help improve skin (and even overall) health, it’s all below with 4 tips each inside & out.
1️⃣ Good gut health: because the gut-skin axis is a real thing.
If you don’t already take a probiotic, I recommend starting with this one because it’s tasty*, effective, and fun to take. This is the one I take as part of a personalized plan.
2️⃣ Boost your body’s building block for skin, hair and nails
Collagen-9. is not only is it the only collagen I know of with complete protein of all 9 essential amino acids AND it includes 100% Daily Value of Biotin and Vitamin C with the collagen to help your body synthesis and utilize it effectively.
Note: both of these are part of Shaklee’s current offer right now to Mix & Match 3+ items for an additional 15% off using code HEALTHY15, see them all here.
3️⃣ Lipids aren’t just for your face.
An Omega 3 supplement will help internally improve your skin barrier, too (not to mention overall health). I love these Gellys.
Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in food, but most of us are not getting nearly enough of this essential nutrient. Among many other health benefits, they can serve to regulate the skin’s oil production, improve hydration, subdue breakouts and minimize signs of aging. Omega-3s can also help soften rough, dry skin and have a soothing effect on irritation or dry skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema and rosacea.
4️⃣ Vivix
Vivix is a unique and specific product that targets cellular health,, it is clinically proven to slow aging by targeting the key factors that cause it. Which means, it’s like a super supplement! Using the world’s most potent source of polyphenols, it has also been clinically proven to reduce inflammation. I have personally seen this in my own bloodwork and health. It will help from inside out for skin and more!
Key ingredients in Vivix are shown to:
- Protect DNA from Damage
- Neutralize Free Radicals
- Protect Against Oxidative Stress
- Blunt Inflammatory Response
- Reduce Formation of Damaging AGE Proteins
- Power Cellular Energy Production
More resources:
Great Health in a Large Body
5 Science-Based Tips for Perimenopause Relief
4 TIPS FOR SKIN HEALTH INSIDE
1️⃣ Use a four-step process, yes actually:
- wash (and exfoliate),
- prep (tone the pH), then
- treat specific needs, and
- protect the moisture barrier with SPF and lipids.
Most of us are not doing all four steps on face and body, you’re not alone! But, if your skin is experiencing issues it is almost always because the layers of your skin are disrupted. So focus on helping your epidermis shed with exfoliation, then rebalancing the pH of the acid mantle, and protecting with lipids. This applies to dryness on the body too.
2️⃣ Rehydrate with a prep step!
Your skin has an acidic level to “kill bad bacteria.” So when we wash, we strip lipids and change the pH balance. Using an essence or toner allows your skin flora to thrive, can even skin tone, reduce pore size, and even helps you better absorb your skincare.
Think about it this way: Your skin is like a sponge. Cream on a brittle dry sponge won’t absorb. But if you wet the sponge, the cream will sink in. Similarly, large pores are commonly a dry skin issue, like dry earth with cracks. Rehydrating allows a better balance to get the good stuff in and keep the bad (bacteria) out.
Some of my favorites:
- 24 Karat Gold Rose Water Toner by Leven Rose (under $20)
- TirTir Milk Skin Rice Toner (under $20)
- YOUTH Perfecting Skin Toner (my PM exfoliation, replaced the Peel)
3️⃣ Lipids: oils are your secret weapon, even for oily skin.
Our skin hasn’t evolved to our modern hygiene habits, it needs us to add those lipids back. Lipids live in the various layers of the skin, acting as a protective barrier that prevents the absorption of impurities like bad bacteria, dirt and grime. Lipids, which are natural fats for the skin, also prevent sun damage, promote moisture retention, and aid skin that needs healing from a scrape or cut.
Our skin naturally produces oil (sebum), but as we age or have inflammation our oil and collagen production can decrease. Lack of oil in the skin can lead to dry patches/flaky skin, especially in the cheeks sometimes paired with over-production in the T zone as your body tries to compensate. This can cause fine lines and breakouts (yes, acne can be caused by dry skin).
However, the wrong type of oils on the wrong person can be occlusive. For example, coconut oil doesn’t add nutrient value to the skin and is pore clogging as it builds-up over time. And don’t even get me started on the current TikTok Tallow trend right now (beware: been there, done that).
The right oils also help to tackle specific skin concerns (reduce your own oil production, fight breakouts, plump from lost hydration, brighten and reduce redness or irritation.
My three favorite facial oils right now are:
- Pomifera Rose: Anti-Aging Serum and Complete Moisturizer best for if you’re in a flare or are super sensitive (AND part of my GWP!)
- Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil best for maintenance with skin glow benefits
- Odacité Acne Serum Concentrate Facial Oil for Pimples I add 1-2 drops to my moisturizer when I’m hormonal and dab on to blemishes when I notice them, this stuff is so incredible 9 times out of 10 it goes away without ever surfacing.
4️⃣ Hydration: water is your friend.
One of the easiest changes you can make: water!
- Drink more; consider adding electrolytes (I like these with added benefits)
- Use a filter to remove “hard water” minerals or chemicals that can affect skin. I use and love this one (on sale for only $20).
- Only use luke warm water to wash. Hot water can be overly drying for those with a damaged skin barrier.
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to use lukewarm water on our skin (not much hotter than our body temperature). This allows us to get clean without over drying or stripping too many of your skin’s natural oils, which are essential to protecting you – inside & out. Seriously!
Our skin acts as a barrier to the outside world, but it is not impenetrable! Protecting the moisture barrier (a.ka. the lipid barrier a.k.a. the acid mantle) is THE MOST IMPORTANT step in skincare, it truly is the key to healthy skin.
More resources:
Sensitive Skin Secrets
This is all provided as my own personal opinion and not medical advice, it’s always good to discuss choices to your body – external and internal – with a licensed professional.
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