When we think of skincare, most of us default immediately to products. What are the most esteemed, most expensive, and most beautiful for our bathroom shelfies? Those factors definitely play a part in our overall sense of self-care, and some of that feel-good indulgence, of course. But the real catalyst for outer beauty begins inside.Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN, is a nutrition expert and author that we at Poosh trust with this precise topic. She’s outlined specific strategies for us that, when diligently practiced, can lead to transformation. These are truly the foundation of glowing health, so plenty of other benefits may follow.
Properly hydrate.
“The easiest and most important first step you can do for healthy skin is to make sure you are properly hydrated. Your cells are nearly 70% water. Staying adequately hydrated helps to keep your cells plump and healthy, plus aids in circulation— all important for glowing skin. Chronic dehydration can cause a loss of elasticity of the skin and the appearance of premature aging.” It’s also helpful to add some liquid minerals to some of your daily water intake to make sure you are absorbing what you need.
Cut sugar.
Lower your sugar intake. “Too much sugar in your diet produces advanced glycation end products, aptly referred to as AGEs. These AGEs break down the foundation of healthy skin and specifically attack collagen and elastin—both important for youthful and healthy skin. The first place to reduce sugar is in your beverages. The next step is to make sure you’re eating plain or unsweetened versions of your favorite foods, like yogurt, oatmeal, etc.” This isn’t to say you can’t eat fruit. Fruit is a fantastic way to sweeten up breakfasts without adding syrup, honey, or plain old sugar. Just be reasonable—everything in moderation.
Collagen support.
“Consuming foods like bone broth or eating chicken on the bone is a great way to get more collagen in your diet. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, broccoli, and red peppers, can help support your body’s natural production of collagen. If those foods are hard for you to eat, supplementing with a collagen supplement that’s been proven effective is a great way to get healthy skin.” You want to find supplements that have great bioavailability, because recent studies show that collagen can even help reduce the signs of UVB-induced photoaging (the specific sun rays that wreck your skin).
Manage stress.
“We’re all living in stressful times lately, but even everyday stress can affect the quality of your skin. Taking time to relax and practice self-care can look different for many people. For some it can be mediating, long walks, or a call to a friend. If you need extra support, I recommend supplementing with a good-quality full-spectrum CBD supplement. CBD can be very helpful with helping the body deal with stress, anxiety, and poor sleep, which can all negatively affect your skin.”
Eat fat.
“Low-fat diets belong in the ’90s. Healthy fats are the building blocks of healthy skin cells. Eating items like avocado, whole eggs, grass-fed beef, and wild salmon helps keep your skin cells hydrated, plumper, and youthful while also helping to reduce inflammation, which can cause puffiness, redness, and other skin issues. Even better, a diet rich in healthy fats can help balance blood sugar levels, helping to reduce those AGEs.”
