how a certified holistic health coach nourishes her skin from the inside out
My skin health journey has been A JOURNEY — for years, I struggled with cystic acne which I learned later on, was a symptom of poor gut health. I spent years utilizing antibiotics carelessly, trying fad diets, and having no understanding around gut health, which lead to symptoms that persisted through my late teens and early 20s. My breakouts were deep and under the skin, exceptionally painful, and persistent. I tried lots of different skincare treatments, spent thousands of dollars on topical products, started birth control, cut out dairy, cut out caffeine, and more — I tried it all. But, what I didn’t realize, was the impact that all of my choices — antibiotic use, OTC medication use, poor nutrition, alcohol, sleep deprivation, and more — were having on my skin health. Something I had never even considered.
I’ve learned that skin health has so much to do with how you are nourishing your body and the habits you practice daily (not just topically) to ensure your skin can thrive. This is imperative. Spending thousands of dollars on products and treatments will not outrun a poor nutritional routine and lifestyle behaviors.
Below are the daily habits I prioritize to best support my body and especially my skin. It took me several years to heal my gut and as a result my skin. Now, I engage in these practices daily to support my body, of course, and as a plus, my skin.
While all bodies are different, I firmly believe the following steps have made a world of a difference in my skin and can be transformational for you as well:
1. Collagen peptides — I have been drinking collagen for probably about 5-6 years now. I add Vital Protein Collagen Peptides to my smoothies daily. As we age, our collagen production slows, which contributes to the aging of our skin, as it relates to elasticity, texture, and more. Collagen supplementation has also been shown to support healthy hair, nails, joints, and more.
2. MY GREENS! I am consistent with drinking my greens which offers a full serving of leafy greens in each scoop. Your skin LOVES greens — chlorophyll and antioxidants are incredible for skin care — one of the best things I’ve done for my skin and overall health. Antioxidants fight free radical damage within the body, which leads to premature aging. Greens are an excellent source of antioxidants and they contain chlorophyll, which is a powerful detoxifier. To shop my recommended greens, click here and use code EATSBYEMILY to save!
3. Drink trace minerals in my water — optimizing my hydration has been the newest integration in my daily wellness practice. Essential mineral deficiencies are terribly common so as a result of this, the body’s function may be compromised and low levels of electrolytes results in dehydration of the body and as a result, the skin. I use Pique BT Fountain Beauty Electrolyte supplement (tastes delicious!) and I always have trace minerals by ConcenTrace in my supplement cabinet as well. Keeping up with my water intake is important as well.
4. Eat berries daily! Berries are jam-packed with antioxidants — referred to as ‘Nature’s Sunscreen.’ Antioxidants fight free radicals within the body, which contribute to oxidative stress, leading to illness, disease, and premature aging. The darker the berry, the greater the antioxidant content! They are also loaded with polyphenols, which are plant compounds that are exceptionally nourishing for the gut lining.
5. Nourishment of my gut through prebiotic, probiotic, and omega-3 rich foods: supporting your gut, means supporting your skin. I learned this the hard way — daily nourishment of the gut should be a priority as is, however, in relation to skin health, taking extra care goes a long way. Check out The Good Gut Guide for more information on how to best nourish your gut for both mental and physical wellness.
6. Eat lots of color! Diversifying your nutritional palette ensures your body is absorbing a large array of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals which all play a huge role in skin quality. Different colors signify different nutritional value, all of which is valuable to vibrant skin.
7. Drink high quality matcha — I have been drinking a high quality cup of matcha in lieu of my second cup of coffee and it has CHANGED the game. Matcha is loaded with wonderful benefits that support whole body wellness. As it relates to skin health, matcha is packed with antioxidants and chlorophyll (as mentioned above), and EGCG, which helps to firm and brighten skin. Take advantage of this organic, ceremonial grade, quadruple toxin screen matcha by Pique, where you’ll receive 15% off + free shipping.
Other lifestyle behaviors I actively prioritize to take care of my skin include:
Sweating! I am a daily ‘sweat-er.’ I exercise 5-6 days a week which helps my skin detoxify and cleanse itself of toxins, impurities, and more. Every few weeks, I treat myself to an infrared sauna session to help support the whole body detoxification process that saunas can offer. Additionally, I do at home steam treatments using my steamer (linked here), that I purchased from Amazon. I prioritize quality sleep daily as I know the phrase “beauty sleep” has significance to it! Sleep gives our skin the opportunity to recover and repair.
My skin was a big stressor for me for many years. I am so grateful to be where I am now and to know while I am nourishing my skin, I am also simultaneously nourishing my body and my brain. After all, we are a whole being — all systems are interconnected. Take care of your skin, take care of your life.
