We're going beyond looking at the products in your skincare regimen and exploring the powerful lifestyle habits that can truly transform your skin from the inside out. Again, we’re working on small, actionable tweaks that would yield big changes. Starting out small while being conscious of the choices we make can really get your skin and overall health in the right direction.
So let's dive into the top 5 lifestyle habits you need to embrace for optimal skin health:
Habit #1: Hands Off!
We all do it subconsciously – touching our faces throughout the day, transferring dirt, oil, and bacteria straight onto our skin. In fact, studies show the average person touches their face up to 23 times per hour! This constant face-touching can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and even accelerated aging from the build-up of environmental pollutants. So the best thing you can do is wash your hands consistently throughout the day and be aware of any common hand placements.
Habit #2: Staying Hydrated
Hydration is crucial for more than just your skin’s health—it affects your entire body. Drinking enough water maintains skin elasticity and helps prevent wrinkles, while also supporting vital functions like nutrient transport and temperature regulation - So that’s why you may have been feeling hot or hot to the touch at random times. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day, and keep a reusable bottle handy to make it easier. Boost hydration further by eating water-rich fruits and veggies like cucumbers and watermelon.
Habit #3: Prioritize Restful Sleep
Solid sleep is fundamental for optimal skin health. When you sleep, your body boosts blood flow to the skin, enhancing collagen renewal and repair. This process is crucial for maintaining skin’s elasticity and firmness. In contrast, insufficient sleep can reduce circulation and disrupt these vital functions, subtly affecting your skin’s ability to stay robust and smooth. Strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly. Enhance your sleep quality by winding down with activities like reading or meditation, setting the stage for a night of restorative rest.
Habit #4: Keep Moving
Engage in physical activity daily to improve skin health and overall vitality. Both strength training and cardiovascular workouts are essential. Strength training enhances collagen production, which is key for skin firmness and elasticity. Cardio workouts increase systemic circulation, promoting detoxification and reducing inflammation through improved blood flow and sweat. This combination not only delivers a healthy, radiant complexion but also helps flush out toxins and free radicals that can damage skin. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, whether it's lifting weights, running, or cycling, to maintain a robust and youthful skin appearance.
Habit #5: Find Ways to Relax
To protect and enhance your skin, it’s essential to fold stress management techniques into your daily routine. Start by exploring guided meditation apps like Headspace for some mental relaxation. Or, try the 4-7-8 breathing method to calm your nervous system—it really helps. Don’t forget about yoga; it's great for both mental and physical relief. And consider scheduling some time for a digital detox to cut down on mental clutter. Remember, managing your stress consistently not only supports your skincare routine but also significantly improves your skin's health and appearance.
Optimal Skin Starts in the Gut
Gut health is a crucial yet often overlooked factor in skincare. The microbiome in your gut directly influences systemic inflammation, which can manifest as skin issues like acne, eczema, and premature aging. Disruptions in gut health, often highlighted by your Lifestyle Report due to poor diet or high stress, can lead to an imbalance. This imbalance promotes inflammation by weakening gut barriers and altering immune responses, which increases inflammatory markers in the body. Addressing these issues by enhancing your diet with fiber and probiotics, reducing processed foods, and managing stress can fundamentally improve your gut health and, consequently, your skin's health and appearance. This shift is essential for a truly effective skincare regimen.
Supplementing for Skin Health
In an ideal world, we'd get all the nutrients we need for healthy skin from our diets alone. Unfortunately, even for those of us making nutritious choices, it's difficult to check off every box with food alone due to factors like nutrient depletion from over farming and higher demanding lifestyles.
That's where supplements come in, providing a concentrated dose of key vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that support skin health from the inside out. But there are fallbacks from supplements. There is underdosing and overdosing, which is not efficient. One of the most accurate ways to learn about the nutrients in your system is through blood testing. Your doctor can order a full panel of tests that measure the levels of various vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids in your bloodstream. This would be a very smart investment in seeing which (if any) nutrients are low so you can take the right supplements or adjust your diet accordingly.
As you start building awareness of more of the things that can help you make better choices with these fundamental lifestyle habits – staying hydrated, getting quality sleep, exercising regularly, practicing stress relief, and nourishing your body from within – you're truly giving your skin the complete toolkit it needs to look and feel its best.
For a comprehensive approach to improved skin health, consider complementing your efforts with GOA's Anti-Aging Face Collection, a 6-step regimen designed to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish your skin, targeting signs of aging, stress, and fatigue.
