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2016 #skingoals: Get Clear

5 Steps to Clearer Skin  |  The Organic Beauty Blog

Be it pimples, rosacea, eczema or other kinds of bumps, redness and inflammation that ail you, getting clear skin get feel like an elusive #skingoal.  The problem is that most people try to deal with these skin issues topically, which will only get you part way there.  Great skin starts on the inside, and the only way to truly clear up redness, inflammation, and breakouts is to take a holistic approach.  What you eat and what supplements you take are just as important as how you wash your skin and what products you use.  Follow these 5 steps to get clearer, happier skin, free from breakouts, redness, and bumps!

1. Eliminate inflammatory foods.

This is a BIG one, guys. I have clients that have had limited to no success with tons of prescription creams and ointments because their diet was chock full of inflammatory foods that cause breakouts, eczema, and psoriasis.  Although there are many different foods that help address each of those ailments individually, the foods to eliminate are pretty standard.  I call it the BIG THREE: dairy, gluten, and sugar.  To be honest, eliminating those three food groups does a whole lot more than clear up your skin.  It leads to better digestion, more energy, and even weight loss.  But there are plenty of articles on here about that, so let’s keep it to the skin benefits.  These foods cause an inflammatory reaction in the body, which triggers your particular form of skin drama.  For some people it’s pilaris keratosis (those awful bumps on the back of your arms), for others it’s pimples, and yet others it manifests as eczema or psoriasis on the face, scalp, knees and elbows.  Instead of the big three bad guys, eat a diet rich in plants, whole grains, and clean proteins (mostly fish and beans) — these foods give you clear, glowing skin, and decrease inflammation throughout your whole body! –

–>For added benefit, include anti-inflammatory garlic, turmeric, and green tea in your eating daily.

2. Embrace oils.

I know, I know, I’m repeating myself.  I talked about the importance of oils in the dry skin and younger skin #skingoals guides as well.. And there’s a good reason! Using oils in your skincare regimen is one of the absolute best ways to gently deep clean, decrease inflammation, and seriously hydrate without all the harshness, drying and residue of other skin washes and treatments.  Start with a good oil face wash (I like jojoba oil for most of these inflammatory conditions) — here’s how to do it correctly.  Follow with an oil-based serum.  Argan oil is the most healing of all the oils, and I absolutely love it for all inflammatory skin conditions.  Coconut oil is great for bumpy arms and eczema. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: oils are what cleared up my awful adult breakouts, my perioral dermatitis, and my eczema.  Yes, I had all of these skincare woes myself back in the day, and I credit my diet and oils for that particular form of skin drama staying in the past.

–> For added benefit, include healthy fats and oils in your eating as well.  Avocado, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, and olive oil are all amazing for skin!

3. Give your skin some superfoods.

IMG_1064Superfoods are amazing for your diet and overall health, but they are also really potent for using on your skin as well! Different superfoods address different skin concerns, but for all bumps, breakouts and redness, there’s a superfood that makes all the difference.  Here are my faves:

  • Manuka honey: This super healing food makes for an amazing ingredient in skincare for dry, inflamed skin, and eczema.  It’s antimicrobial, antibacterial, and deeply nourishing. The best products on the market that I’ve found are Nature’s Gold Manuka Honey.. Their super potent skin cream is lush and nourishing and great for daily use on your face and body.  For very troublesome spots, their Manuka Power Concentrated Skin Ointment can’t be beat. I used it on the awful eczema I got on my hands after pregnancy, and after a few days, it was GONE.  I’ve also seen it do amazing things for eczema and dermatitis on the face.  Love love LOVE it.
  • Raw apple cider vinegar: ACV is a skincare superpower, especially for breakouts and inflammation. It’s loaded with amino acids, probiotics, and antimicrobial properties, which makes it incredibly beneficial for getting clearer skin.  Dilute 1 tbsp of raw, organic apple cider vinegar in 1 tbsp of water and apply all over your face or other effected areas.  For spot treatment, apply with a q-tip, undiluted.
  • Aloe vera: Aloe has long been a skincare superfood, and continues to top the charts for most potent skincare ingredients.  For breakouts, red or inflamed skin, it worked miracles.  Buy an aloe plant to keep in your bathroom, and cut off a bit to smooth over your skin every day.  It’ll calm a breakout, tighten pores, decrease redness, and hydrate.  Totally the perfect food for your skin.

–> For added benefit, include these foods in your diet as well! A tablespoon of ACV with a teaspoon of raw honey in a glass of warm water every day will help clear your skin from the inside out.  And you can add aloe to your smoothies for amazing anti-inflammatory effects for your whole system!

4. Beef up your omegas.

There are no supplements more potent for clear, healthy skin than omega’s.  I recommend taking 1000-2000mg of high quality fish oil (I like Nordic Naturals for it’s purity) every day to decrease inflammation in your body from the inside out.  I also love evening primrose oil (omega-6) for keeping skin clear. It’s amazing for breakouts, rosacea, and so may other skin issues.  Plus, it works to balance your hormones, which is awesome for hormonal breakouts as well! I recommend taking 500-1000 mg of evening primrose oil daily — I’m a fan of Barlean’s for it’s potency.

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

A dehydrated body leads to dehydrated skin.  It also leads to a buildup of toxins in the body… and how do those toxins show themselves? On your skin!  Drinking tons of water is so important for healthy, clear skin, and it’s the one thing we ALL overlook!  Shoot to drink half your body weight in ounces of purified water every day.  Add a squeeze of lemon or some herbs to make things more interesting.  And just watch as your skin clears up!

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