How to get clear skin?
Major contributors to skin health are are blueberries, omega 3, water, sleep, stress reduction and curated mindful skincare.
Natural prevention is the easiest path to anti-aging and reducing inflammatory conditions. This includes natural and mindful skincare that targets your unique skin microbiome. In this article we discuss the balance between regular skincare, skincare treatments, lifestyle, environment and diet for optimal clear skin.
Tip #1 - Water
At Crave Aesthetics we believe hydration is one of the best support systems for clear skin, maintaining a bright glow and looking fresh. Each cell and organ in our body needs water to thrive. Our skin is the largest organ of the body. Water helps flush out toxins and maintains PH balance in your skin. When your skin is hydrated the less likely your pores will clog. When you skin is dehydrated you skin lacks elasticity and becomes dry, making fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. Hydrating with water will make your skin plump from the inside out. It is not always easy to get in 8 glasses of water but try your best. You will feel less inflammed, more energized and will really help with daily energy levels and for exercise.
Tip #2 - Anti-Inflammatory Foods
The right foods are an amazing asset to clear skin and decrease inflammation in the body. Most people have heard of IBS and Fibromyalgia. These are classifications for a gut that is malfunctioning and a body that is burning. There are various symptoms that come along with these inflammatory conditions. With IBS it could be parasites, gut dysbiosis, food allergies or intolerances like dairy or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. With fibromyalgia it could be excess sugar and junk foods. Inflammatory conditions also cause inflammatory acne and skin conditions such as excema.
By eating foods like blueberries, green tea and walnuts you will decrease inflammation. By cutting down on sugar and alchohol you will decrease your inflammation. You will have more energy, have a stronger immune system and will prevent inflammatory disease. That is just one piece of the puzzle. You will see your skin start to transform the more you eat foods that support your gut-skin axis. To get a specific healthy living plan we would love to see you for a skincare consultation.
Tip #3 - Vitamin C & Antioxidants
You have probably heard of the term FREE RADICALS and ANTIOXIDANTS. But what is a free radical? What does it do to our skin and why is Vitamin C important to combat these free radicals?
Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons. What does that mean? When your skin cells have to fight against these free radicals your skin gets damaged over time, aiding in wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity. Picture your driveway having cracks and crumbles in the asphalt. If you re-seal it, it looks fresh and smooth. The free radicals are the unsealed asphalt. If you introduce Antioxidants like Vitamin C and E into the mix they help to make sure cracks don’t form so your skin can maintain its smoothness. Antioxidants help build collagen and protect your skin cells like a sheild from the FREE RADICALS UV Rays cause on your skin. The goal is to get in front of the damage to slow down collagen degradation, help reduce hyperpigmentation and defend your skin cells from inflammation.
Tip #4 - Exfoliate
Our owner Jessica asked her husband what question would you ask if you wanted clear skin. He asked about exfoliation. It was a great question because this is a key contributor to fresh, glow kissed skin. Dermaplaning is really popular at Crave Aesthetics in London Ontario because it is a non-invasive way to exfoliate almost all skin types. In conjunction with our Mandelic Acid & Lactic Acid Peels, Dermaplaning is a power house of a service, especially in the summer. There is little to no downtime or risk of sun sensitivity with Dermaplaning. We offer dermaplaning, microneedling, peels and bamboo exfoliaton to create a beautiful blank canvas for your new skin cells to flourish. When you gently exfoliate dead skin cells, new skin cells emerge and your skincare beautifully sinks into your skin. We recommend exfoliating twice per week with our Bamboo Scrub and coming once every 1-2 months for dermaplaning and enzymatic treatments in the summer. In the winter/fall months we recommend peels, microneedling, dermaplaning once every 1-2 months. We also recommend exfoliating twice per week in the winter/fall months.
Dehydration aids in dry skin. Your skin cells shed every 28-30 days so they need to be continually exfoliated for maximum glowy, dewyness (we made up our own descriptive words here because it best describes how we feel about exfoliation lol).
Tip #5 - Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a topic we have done alot of research on. Sun protection is extremely important to prevent premature aging and cellular damage. Mineral Sunscreens are considered the safest option as minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on the skin and do penetrate into your bloodstream. The downside to Mineral Sunscreens is that they leave a white cast if not properly formulated with supporting ingredients. Chemicals Sunscreens do not leave a white cast but the chemicals are absorbed by your skin.
"In our opinion, Mineral Sunscreens; if paired with clean ingredients, are better"
MINERAL SUNSCREEN – THE ONLY OPTION IN OUR OPINION
Our First choice for main ingredients is a Sunscreen that contains Non-Nano Zinc Oxide as Non-Nano means larger particles. The larger particles do not allow it to absorb into your skin. But because the molecule size is large and white, other supporting ingredients are needed. We only choose Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Sunscreens that have the most natural ingredients. The purpose of Non-Nano Zinc Oxide is to not introduce your skin to as many harmful chemicals so the supporting ingredients must also be as clean as possible. It is hard to find one that has a non chalky consistency but companies that are dedicated to keeping their products as clean are making it happen. After testing several sunscreens, the clear winner for Non-Tinted SPF is FORAH. It goes on really smooth, it smells amazing, has great ingredients and leaves the most minimal white cast we have experienced in their non-tinted version.
If you are looking for a tinted version of Non-Nano Zinc Oxide Sunscreen this gets more complicated as colour formulations are added. We have yet to find one we feel confident in so we recommend looking at all ingredients to determine their safety on your skin. To learn about the safety of ingredients in your skincare and sunscreen EWG (Environmental Working Group) is a great resource. Use at your discretion based on their findings.
CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN
If you choose to go with a chemical sunscreen due to the concern of white cast, do your research on possible ingredients such as octinoxate and oxybenzone as these are hormone disruptors.
Whatever you choose, it is important to do your research. We are here to help with all of your skincare needs.
Tip #6 - Daily Skincare Routine
It is in our expertise to curate skincare treatments that are completely compatible with your skin. Once we have studied your skin and have provided you with a skincare treatment we are able to build a custom skincare routine. We provide you with a step by step morning and nighttime routine that suits your needs and lifestyle. Consistency is key; therefor we ensure your routine is one you can sustain. Your skincare goals and skin concerns determine this. If you are looking for an anti-aging routine, anti aging serums and antioxidants are added. If you want a very basic routine we determine the best cleanser, toner and moisturizer that suits your skin
Skincare is just one aspect of skin health. Health, diet, spf, lifestyle, skincare habits, stress levels and hormones majorly play a role.
The main factor to always consider is INFLAMMATION. Your cells do not respond well to sugar. Inflammation can come in the form of swollen fingers or a puffier face. Other inflammatory foods such as dairy and the glyphosphates in wheat are big inflammation triggers. Your body was designed for proper sleep and whole foods. The time you go to bed, eat and the amount of stress you encounter all plays a factor on how your skin looks. We have the tools to live a healthier life. You just have to be conscious that, although it may take longer to drive out to a local farm, you are getting organic fresh veggies grown with love.
Daily skincare and healthy lifestyle will contribute to 80% of your success with anti-aging and skin health.
Check out our CUSTOM SKINCARE ROUTINE SERVICE & HEALTH LIVING PLAN SERVICE
Tip #7 - Exercise & Stress Reduction
Exercise is an amazing form of stress reduction. Exercise reduces your body’s natural stress hormones. If these levels are off it can wreak havoc on your skin and body. You have probably heard of adrenal fatigue. This happens when your adrenal glands are depleted of energy. Your mitochondria are also the powerhouse of your cells. Your adrenal glands and your mitochondria work hand in hand. Exercise helps improves sleep, enhances mood, stimulates the production of mitochondria. Enhancement of the mitochondria and the reduction of stress hormones prevents oxidative stress and acne inflammation on your skin.
Your skin and parasympathetic system will thank your greatly for exercise. Not all exercise is created equal and not all exercise is right for everyone. Over exercising can cause more stress for your body. It is important to set a goal and know your body’s limits. Starting with yoga and pilates is a great way to introduce your body to exercise. Your body will have a hard time adapting to intese exercise without the proper rest or fuel for your mitochondria which produces ATP Energy. Things to consider are age, what your are training for and how well your are able to keep your blood sugar regulated and provide your body with all the elements it needs to support different levels of exercise.
Your mood and exercise:
“The mental benefits of aerobic excercise have a neurochemical basis. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the “runners high” and for feelings of relaxation and optimishm that accompany many hard workouts – or, at least, the hot shower after your exercise is over.”
Harvard Health Publishing, “Excercising to relax”, https://www.health.harvard.edu, 7 July 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
Click HERE to read full article
Tip #8 - Resurfacing Skincare Treatments
Our role is to bring you treatments and health knowledge that is amazing for targeting skin concerns and anti-aging. We are also here to provide investigation expertise on skin conditions. Did you know? Rosacea has been linked to H. Pylori and Perioral Dermatitis has been linked to parasites. Our knowledge base is vast, incorporating skin knowledge, holisitc nutrition and information on toxin reduction. Our monthly treatments bring your skin to baseline. We aid in resurfacing your skin, provide targeted exfoliation, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scars. For treatments such as acne scars we recommend a series of 3 Microneedling Sessions. At Crave Aesthetics we offer cost savings on packages. If you have any questions on anything explained in this article or need advice on which treatments to choose, we would love to help with a skincare consultation which can booked online.
Wishing you happy healthy skin!
Jessie
Owner – Crave Aesthetics
London Ontario
519-520-5946
