Radiant skin is truly a reflection of good health. Just like the rest of your body, your skin requires specific nutrients to be healthy and radiant. When you do not get enough of these nutrients your skin will look tired, have uneven skin tone and show signs of ageing.

It is often common to treat premature ageing with external lotions, serums or even fillers, Botox or anti-ageing injections, however for longer lasting results it is better to treat your skin internally.

Below are the key nutrients that your skin requires to be radiant:

Zinc
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Omega-3 fatty acids
Antioxidants.

By ensuring an adequate intake of these nutrients, your skin will have improved radiance, be nourished and hydrated, have even skin tone and suppleness.

In addition to the above nutrients, there are also some other important factors to consider for radiant skin.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and works in conjunction with and relies on your other organs for optimal function. When you are suffering a health issue, your body’s LAST priority is to make your skin glow!

Insufficient sleep can cause your skin to prematurely age. During sleep, your body goes through many anti-ageing processes including tissue repair and detoxification. So if you don’t get enough sleep then these processes are negatively impacted. Prioritising a good night’ s sleep is an important factor in skin health. Want some tips on improving your sleep, read my article on sleep hygiene.

If you are stressed or overwhelmed from busyness, then it is time to find some time for self-care and inner calm. When you are stressed your body increases the release of stress hormones such as cortisol increasing inflammation which has a flow on effect to your thyroid, blood sugar regulation which causes skin ageing. I have shared my favourite tips for stress management here.

Regular movement is also protective of your skin health. It helps by improving blood flow and cardiovascular health, promoting lymphatic flow, has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing stress and improving insulin sensitivity (read more here about insulin).

Some good ways to move your body include Pilates, walking, HIIT (high intensity interval training), resistance training and yoga.

Optimal gut function is important for skin health as your skin is a reflection of the health of your body. As your gut is responsible for the digestion and absorption of the nutrients required for radiant skin, it is important to support your gut function.

How much water do you drink daily. Good hydration is key to radiant skin as it helps to flush your body and remove impurities.

Also important for your skin health and overall health is to be mindful of the products you put on your skin. Your skin can absorb up to 70% of the products you apply to your skin including cleansers, nail polish, sunscreen, etc. Some personal care products contain chemicals which negatively impact on the health of your skin but also place an unnecessary burden on the liver as the liver has to detoxify these reducing its ability to adequately process other toxins.

Whilst there is no quick fix, by replenishing your skin with beautiful nourishment, managing stress and getting enough sleep you can provide your skin with everything it needs to be healthy and radiant.

As this article shows, there are many factors which can impact on your skin health. Sometimes the changes required are as easy as the suggestions above, however it may be worth working with a healthcare expert to identify your specific needs which can make all the difference. Want to know how you can transform your skin, book in for a consultation with me.

Radiant Skin is an inside job!

Sleep Hygiene