6 Steps to More Radiant Skin

There are so many beauty tips out on the Internet and in women's magazines, that I'm not sure I have much more to offer. There are countless products- pills, soaps, creams, scrubs, and serums. However, I believe that beauty starts from the inside. And no, I don't mean being a kind and beautiful soul, though that certainly helps one's appeal. I mean that you are going to look and feel better when you are healthier. When you start taking care of your body on the inside, you don't need as much stuff to put on the outside. I learned this in a very real way. 

Nursing school makes you look like hell. There's no way around it. You barely have time to sleep, eat healthy, or do much of anything except study and go to class. You are at the hospital before the sun comes up, then after several hours of taking care of patients you go back to class to sit in hours of lectures or to take an exam, and then you end your day at the library studying. You return home in the dark again to eat something that resembles food, shower, face plant into your bed, and press repeat. I simply thought that because I had turned 25, I was just aging exponentially faster. I had bags under my eyes, a dry and flaky forehead, breakouts on my chin and cheeks (probably from where I was holding my head up), and an oily nose. I just figured this is how I was going to look from now on and was a part of my "old age." Now that I'm a graduate and out of school I have noticed that my skin is looking better and better each day. I realized that it was not necessarily any one thing, but a combination of six things, most of them being healthy habits.

1. Sleep

I know this seems like a no-brainer, but it is truly amazing how much better one looks and feels with adequate sleep. New parents, shift workers, nursing students, and insomniacs are all shaking their heads at me. I know, I know, you would get more sleep if you could. If you can't change your schedule to accommodate more sleep, strive for better sleep. One way you can do this is to establish a routine before bed. When you do the same thing before bed every night, it cues your body that it's time for sleep which can make better use of your down time. Avoid screen time in bed; this means no TV, laptops, or cell phones in bed. The light and images stimulate the brain and can make it more difficult to finally fall asleep. Invest in blackout curtains, a good mattress and pillows, and a white noise machine. Sleep is the rejuvenating part of our lives.  Your cells need it to repair and rebuild. Don't skimp on the sleep.

2. Drink More Water

Most humans need 2-3 liters of water everyday, and many don't even get half of that amount. There are certainly exceptions: some conditions require water restrictions; while others, such as athletes or breastfeeding mothers, may need more. However, if you are a healthy adult with no preexisting conditions, I encourage you to increase your water consumption if you are not getting at least 2 liters. (There is such a thing as "water intoxication" so don't go crazy and always check with your doctor first.) Buy yourself a bottle or jug with markings so you can keep track throughout the day. I have a 1 liter bottle and I know that I need to drink 3 of those throughout the day for optimal health. Dehydration can cause headache, constipation, lethargy, dizziness, irritability, and confusion. Without adequate hydration the skin becomes dry, dull, and less supple and elastic. 

3. Be Mindful of Nutrition

It is difficult to get the recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, especially when you have a busy life. When I'm eating poorly, my whole body shows it, but especially my skin. A multivitamin is an easy way to make sure you are getting adequate micronutrients, however the most bioavailable vitamins and minerals come from food sources. If adding produce is difficult for you, start small. I do this by making green smoothies. The thought of drinking spinach make may you gag, so only add a tiny bit in your blender with some frozen fruits like strawberries and pineapple. You will eventually get used to it, and then you will crave those nutrients. It takes some time for the body to respond, but soon you will notice how much better you feel and how much your body actually wants all those nutrients.

4. Stop Wearing Makeup 

I know some of you just cringed. I know that when we are not feeling good about our skin, the last thing we want to do is to stop wearing our foundation. But hear me out: I don't care how expensive or "natural" your makeup line is, it's probably making your skin worse. Our skin isn't meant to be covered with all those chemicals. It needs to breathe. It will be difficult at first. Trust me, I know. But once you make the conscious decision to stop piling on the brightener, concealer, and powder, you will start to see the improvements. It will be freeing. Our skin is a giant organ, and it absorbs much of what we put on it. I certainly still wear it for special occasions, but it's not a part of my everyday face. 

5. Stop Washing Your Face

Am I losing you? I know this seems ludicrous, but if you do number four, this one isn't so crazy. Here's my face-washing regimen: rinse face with warm water in shower. That's it. I use makeup remover or coconut oil to take off my eye makeup or lipstick, but since I don't wear concealer, I don't really need to scrub my face. What I found was that when I washed my face with soap, it caused my skin to be tight and dry regardless of the type of soap I used. My skin then responded to this drying effect by producing more oil, which caused me to breakout, wear makeup, and feel the need to wash more. It's a vicious cycle. Your skin will probably respond negatively to this at first, but just let it do its thing and stick with it. It may take a couple of weeks, but I believe lessening the harsh chemicals on the face via soap and makeup (as well as flushing out toxins and improving hydration via upping our water intake) will eventually improve the health of your skin. 

5. Frankincense 

The only product I put on my face is frankincense essential oil. It's expensive, but I only need one drop.   Frankincense is an antiseptic and an anti inflammatory. It's an amazing plant and there is some new research coming out that shows that it may have an antitumoral effect. It is also believed to be a cytophylactic meaning that it promotes the regeneration of cells, decreasing the appearance of scars and wrinkles. There are many other systemic health benefits of frankincense essential oil, so I feel comfortable knowing that it is being absorbed through my skin. Its benefits have been hailed by different cultures throughout the years; it was, after all, a gift the Wise Men brought to Jesus.

I do these things for vanity's sake because I want radiant, youthful skin for many years to come. However, I can assure you that many aspects of my health improved when I simply began sleeping better, drinking more water, and adding some much needed nutrients to my diet. Maybe that's a good place to start. I wish you health, happiness, and positively beautiful skin!