What makes someone’s skin look healthy and radiant? Honestly, I don’t know.
What I do know is what has worked for me over the years. You can fake a lot of things in this world, your credentials, the size of your bust, but it’s hard to fake healthy skin. After having gone through several stages of ‘overactive’ skin, here are the things I’ve incorporated into my daily routine to give me that healthy radiance I once admired in others (see, that’s me posing!). It’s no coincidence that this advice can be extended to healthy living in general.
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Hydration
Consistent and frequent consumption of filtered water is great for your whole body and skin. I prefer filtered tap water (with fresh lemon) since it filters most major water contaminants, reduces unnecessary plastic bottle waste and prevents the leaching of harmful chemicals from plastic containers.
Sweat
A regular Bikram Yoga practice has helped my skin detox in numerous ways. You can read more about the health benefits of sweating here.
Sunscreen (everyday)
This took some getting used to, but I now wear sunscreen everyday on my face to protect from further sun damage and manage my melasma (dark age spots). I like to think of this as “paying it forward” to my future self. My favorite safe sunscreens can be found here.
Sleep
Oh the joys of getting a full night’s rest! For those of you who are parents, ample sleep may not always be an option, but my skin always looks healthier when I prioritize sleep. As it turns out, there are a lot of health benefits to getting a good night’s rest as well.
Minimal alcohol
You know what your skin looks like after a night of partying? I get splotchy, tired and raisin like. Cutting back on the booze will help maintain clear and even-toned skin.
Face oils
The 1990’s attitude that oil on our face is bad, is well…wrong. It’s one of nature’s tried and true tricks for healthy skin. If you have oily/overactive or dry skin, face oils are for you – they are for everyone. I’ve graduated from using plain jojoba oil to a blend that is even better for my skin: Beautycounter’s Lustro Face Oil collection. The primary difference between the Lustro 1, 2 and 3 oils is the scent, all of which I love. I use the face oil at night or as a primer before my make-up. They won’t make you break out, will help control acne, oily and dry skin and are non-greasy. These oils are designed to last, so a little goes a long way!
Collagen
Collagen is one of the few supplements I take each day because it’s known for its support of healthy nails, joints, hair and skin. Sometimes I throw Vital Proteins collagen in my morning smoothie or eat some homemade jello. You can order and read more about my favorite sustainable collagen brand HERE.
Select makeup
Sometimes I put it on to look a bit more polished, even out the skin discoloration or to have a little fun, but I don’t wear it everyday. Sometimes it’s good to let my skin breathe. I love this safer foundation and tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 which both give me beautiful coverage without making it look like I am wearing makeup! I recently wrote a piece about Beautycounter cosmetics and how they have the strictest heavy metal screening on the market. Browse some beautiful and safer cosmetics here.
Baths
The joys of a relaxing bath! Not only is reducing stress great for my skin, soaking in a warm bath with some lavender essential oils and Epsom salts is great for priming the skin before you exfoliate.
Exfoliation
I’m not talking about a gentle rub of the face with a wash cloth. I’m talking about real full body and face exfoliation with what I like to call “scrubbie mits”. Taking the time to exfoliate my face and body at least once a week is great for getting rid of the excess layer of junk that’s no longer serving you on your body. Here are my favorite safe ways to exfoliate your skin and body. You can also check out this wonderful exfoliating (non-drying) face wash from Beautycounter.
Healthy food
Healthy food = Healthy skin. Plain and simple, if you’re putting good fuel into your body, your skin will reflect that healthy diet. You can check out my Recipes for Slackers for simple, healthy and satisfying meals.
What’s your secret to healthy skin?
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This is a great post Lindsay. I too work hard on my skin and certainly do lots to keep it in tip top shape. I share much of your routine-I’m also a Bikram devotee and sleep has to be my biggest tip for immediate action in less puffy, radiant, glowing skin. The kind of skin that random people you don’t know on the street stop and ask you about (not that this happens regularly :)
Having kids certainly dents my ability to do both unfortunately so finding time to nourish your skin and yourself as to be my best tip.
I never thought of hot yoga as being good for the skin, but that is a great idea! I also love the Beautycounter Face Oil. I use it all the time and it’s great!
It sure is! Hot yoga has helped cleared and detox my skin, big time!
Great list! I find that water and diet are the 2 biggest influences in how my skin looks and feels.
Thank you, Lindsay for all that you do for Beautycounter, and everyone else!