Did you know that there are many different factors to skin health other than how clean/ moisturized it is? Yes it is important to keep your skin clean and hydrated and to choose the right products for your skin, but if you are finding it hard to clear stubborn acne or other unwanted skin blemishes the problem may be lying under the surface.
I have a history of stubborn acne when I was a teenager so I know how much fun it is… not. I tried so many products recommended by the dermatologist such as topical and oral medications, but I felt like these only solved a part of the problem.
It wasn’t until I developed good sleeping, eating, hydration, facial, and other routines that I saw my skin just take care of itself. Finding a good balance in everything literally cleared my skin. Here is a list of a few things that actually play a role in your skin’s health.
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Factors That Influence Skin Health
Sleep
It is recommended that we get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night. It is important to develop a good sleep schedule and to “prepare for bed” by:
- Washing your face and applying a night cream
- Keeping clean sheets
- Relaxing/ mediating before laying down
- Not eating right before going to bed
For the 1st 3 hours of sleep, our body releases the Human Growth Hormone which maintains the youthfulness of our skin and repairs the skin from daily damage.
For the middle 2 hours of sleep, our body releases Melatonin which is an antioxidant to protect our bodies from harmful free radicals.
For the last 3 hours of sleep, our bodies’ cortisol (stress hormone) levels decrease and our skin recovers from the long day we just had.
So get your beauty rest – its a thing! Learn more here.
Liver
As I mentioned in my last post, liver health is actually related to skin health. If your liver is not doing its job of flushing out toxins, they come out through the skin.
Toxins living in the deep layers of our skin can cause surface blemishes such as acne, eczema, dark spots, dermatitis, and wrinkles. So taking care of your liver is a way to clean your skin from the inside out.
Superfoods for liver health include:
- Leafy Green Vegetables
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Citrus Fruits
- Carrots
- Onions
- Avocados
This website has lots of info on liver health!
Stress
Throughout my life, every time I get stressed I notice a little zit or two pop up out of nowhere. I used to try and just clean the area and apply creams and stuff but now I notice that when I calm down and keep a good routine it goes away.
When we are stressed, our Cortisol levels rise and this causes our sebaceous glands to produce more oil. So its no wonder that when I am stressed I get pimples and when I am calm they go away.
Ways to manage stress include:
- Yoga/exercise
- Good morning routine
- Breathing exercises
- Make a to-do list or schedule
- Set aside time for yourself
- Go on a walk
- Start a new hobby
Hydration
Did you know that your skin is the last organ in the body that receives the water we drink? That’s right, so keeping our bodies hydrated is very important so that our skin reaps the benefits.
Studies have shown that drinking at least 9.5 cups of water every day improve our skin’s density and thickness. Dr. Steven Deliduka, a board certified dermatologist said,
“Without adequate water intake, skin appears duller, and wrinkles and pores are more prominent.”
Dr. Steven Deliduka, Forefront Dermatology
To drink more water, try setting timers throughout the day to remind you, or using one of these water bottles that track your intake throughout the day. (I like to add frozen strawberries and lemon to my water so it has more flavor and health benefits!)
Natural Skin Care Products
I like to find products that do not contain harmful chemicals for my skin, but that aren’t super expensive. Here are some that I like:
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