Our skin is the first line of defense against the environment whether it be from wind, rain, cold, heat, sun, chemicals, bacteria, these in moderation we can generally manage, but when we’re exposed in excess our skin starts to show signs of aging.
How do we help our skin??
We can look to our diet – foods that help with skin care:
Omega 3 Rich Foods – Sardines, Mackerel, Salmon, Hazelnuts, Cashews, Avocados, Almonds, Walnuts, Flaxseed, Chia Seeds, Coconut Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Pistachios.
Protein is also essential for repair to skin. Collagen a glycoprotein comprises 30 percent of our total body protein. Collagen not only helps strengthen our skin, also our blood vessels, bones and teeth. Ensure you get a healthy source of protein daily, i.e. fish, free-range/organic chicken, beef, pork, lamb, spirulina, whey protein, dairy food, nuts, seeds, legumes.
Blueberries and most dark skinned berries are considered to be very high in antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells. Lessening damage and skin cell deterioration, helping to improve your skins appearance, looking younger for longer.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, it is required for developing and maintaining skin cells, and a deficiency of it can be seen in those with acne skin as well as dry skin. It is an essential vitamin for maintaining healthy skin. Ensuring you get a RAINBOW (purple, green, orange, white, red, yellow) of vegetables daily is essential for healthy skin, and always eat what is is season for your area, as this is what your body is needing to deal with the conditions.
Water is essential for life, water is needed for every cell in our body to function efficiently. How much is too much?? I find the best rule of thumb is 30ml of water for every kilo of body weight. So this puts a person who weighs 50kg would need 1.5 litres daily, 80kg – 2.4 litres, and with say a child of 15kg they only need 450ml daily.
Green Tea research at the Medical College of Georgia showed that the polyphenol found within, EGCG also acts as a “fountain of youth” of sorts for skin by reactivating dying skin cells. Herbs such as Nettle supply a rich source of nutrients. Calendula helps with repair to skin, blood vessels and importantly in all skin conditions, helps with cleansing the liver and improving digestion. Red Clover also has a long term reputation of helping children and adults with all skin conditions especially eczema & psoriasis.
Topically Body Butters can help protect as well as help lessen the signs of aging.
What is a Body Butter? Body Butters are a blend of natural oils from a variety of seeds and nuts such as Shea , Coconut, Cocoa Bean, that have been cold pressed to extract the beneficial Omega 3 oils as well as the rich antioxidants, Vitamin C, E, and A to name a few.
Body Butters are like lotions minus the water component, (which can be up to 90% water) also minus the synthetic preservatives. Body Butters do not wash right off unlike lotions which you find you reapply again and again throughout the day. After using a Body Butter you will notice that your skin will become remarkably soft. The rich moisture from the natural oils help to eliminate dry, cracked, irritated & inflamed skin, helping to improve your body and face’s texture and overall appearance. Body Butters can also be used as a cleanser, helping to remove dirt, makeup and toxic substances from the skin and body. Body Butters may seem heavy at first, but they absorb quickly into the skin. Always remember to use the smallest amount when applying a Body Butter, as Body Butters spread further. A rule of thumb, if it looks shiny you can spread it further i.e. use less, (this aspect also helps you to save money!)
What are the main benefits from Body Butters:
* Provide amazing moisture to your skin and body, helping to improve your skins texture, maintain hydration, retaining a healthier skin overall.
* Work to help control the early symptoms of aging, making the skin more resistant to daily environmental stressors.
* Help in lightening scars and stretch marks, by helping to generate new skin cells making scars less obvious.
* Wrap the body in emollients from the rich omega’s and nutrients from inside the nuts & seeds, supplying a blanket of pure moisture that lasts longer than your average lotion.
* Provides a natural barrier protecting us agains the elements, i.e. dry air, hot sun, cold winter weather, chemicals in the environment (pollution, chlorine in our water or swimming pools & more).
* Natural Omega 3 oils as as well as being moisturizing help to calm inflammation, making essential for any skin disorder such as eczema, psoriasis, nappy rash, sunburn, rosacea & any other rash or skin inflammation of unknown cause.
