What would a lifestyle that supports optimal skin health and vitality look like? In modern times, amid increased societal pressures and the influence of social media, it may feel tempting and easier to opt for quick fixes or instantly gratifying solutions to enhance the appearance associated with agelessness. However, such approaches are unlikely to serve the long-term goal of “anti-aging” or embracing holistic wellness at its highest level.
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What would a lifestyle that supports optimal skin health and vitality look like? In modern times, amid increased societal pressures and the influence of social media, it may feel tempting and easier to opt for quick fixes or instantly gratifying solutions to enhance the appearance associated with agelessness. However, such approaches are unlikely to serve the long-term goal of “anti-aging” or embracing holistic wellness at its highest level.
Aging is indeed a privilege and should be celebrated, but the most powerful celebration is when it occurs on our own terms. Clients need guidance, and this is where the passion and work of holistic specialists come in.
While the body is a single unit, there are numerous intricacies to how a person looks and feels. Empowering individuals over the multifaceted components contributing to skin wellness includes mental, physical, nutritional and topical care, as well as combining traditional remedies and practices with modern-day advancements.
Life is a journey filled with constant changes and adversities, and for the skin to continuously remain healthy and radiant at all stages, a holistic approach should be individualized and built on the foundation of discipline and flexibility. While a holistic approach does address symptoms, it primarily centers around understanding and treating the root causes of skin concerns. It's a philosophy of achieving beautiful skin by elevating overall well-being.
Mental Care
Given that the skin is the body's largest organ, it's fair to assume that it reflects the conscious and subconscious narratives we have about ourselves, our surroundings and all their supporting chapters. In the words of Napoleon Hill, "You are the sum total of your dominating or most prominent thoughts."
Those who are better attuned to being in a space of gratitude are better at managing stress, experiencing more joy and subsequently basking in the reward of a healthy body and glowing skin. Stress is one of the most significant culprits of skin and health problems. To offset the adverse effects of stress, having a stress management protocol to refer to and put into practice is critical.
Self-care sums it up in one word. Calming techniques like meditation, breath work, affirmations, yoga, stretching or engaging in other mindful or healthy activities that are enjoyable will cultivate a sense of inner peace that will manifest positively on the skin.
Related: Merging Clinical and Holistic Facial Modalities
Nutrition
Like many wellness gems discovered throughout history, in 1826, the famous gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote, "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are," or in other words, "you are what you eat." If a person's diet and nutrition are unbalanced, the skin will also not receive all the internal nourishment it needs for a healthy complexion.
Extreme dieting or restrictions are not sustainable, which is why the best diet is one that is intuitive and balanced. This is where nutrition deeply intertwines with the mind-body connection and the perception of self.
It takes an immense amount of practice and attunement to oneself to know what the body is communicating it needs, versus responding to what the stressed mind may be demanding, which can inherently be self-sabotaging. Intuitive nutrition is the opposite of emotional eating, which in high-stress times is a safety zone.
It's about allowing yourself to indulge consciously but with voluntary control and moderation. It's being able to communicate to yourself, "You can have the chocolate, but do you really need the whole bar?"
A balanced diet should be wholesome and sensitive to gut health. It should be rich with nourishing pro-aging foods that are high in antioxidants like berries, omegas, micronutrients, probiotics, grains and proteins.
Foods rich in essential fatty acids like fish, nuts and seeds are excellent for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Stress increases inflammation in the body, so such foods would also help moderate the stress response.
A micronutrient-rich food like arugula can help support energy levels, the immune system and even mood. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential for skin hydration and suppleness. These recommendations are a narrow introduction to this very dense area of a holistic approach, but the intention is to encourage a starting point.
Topical Care
Skin aging is a natural process, but knowing that it is possible to have influence over the way and at what rate skin changes can be empowering. While inner factors undoubtedly affect skin wellness, outer skin care efforts also play a central role in maintaining a healthy complexion.
Skin care dates back centuries, with many of those practices continuing to stand the test of time. Cleopatra's famous milk baths, for example, gently exfoliate the skin through the action of lactic acid; salt scrubs physically exfoliate the skin; rose water tones; skin-regenerating honey and almond oil, rich with mandelic acid, can improve signs of aging, acne and pigmentation.
These are just some examples of the natural ingredients that continue to hold value today. The beauty industry has borne witness to the resurgence of ancient wisdom and practices, even dominating over the emergence of new-age innovations and technology.
Personalizing and accordingly adjusting skin care routines based on dynamics like seasonal changes, stress, environment, travel and chronological aging symptoms is necessary to continuously achieve peak skin wellness. Multi-functional ingredients like hippophae berries, peptides, hyaluronic acid, genistein, phyto-stem cells, resveratrol, CBD and alpha hydroxy fruit acids are several powerhouse bio-actives that have the capacity to holistically transform the skin.
Today's advanced product formulations can work wonders on the skin. Nonetheless, combining the efficacy of products with the action and age-defying potential of technologies like microcurrent, microneedling and light therapy, among others, will keep the skin looking naturally healthy.
Physiology
Let's get physical! Staying active boosts circulation, allowing the body to better oxygenate and transfer nutrients to every cell. This stimulates collagen production and can improve skin elasticity. Additionally, it supports mental health by helping to regulate hormones.
Physical fitness can activate the release of endorphins, the happy hormones, that enable "feel-good" sensations and, more importantly, it can help reduce stress. Although 30 minutes a day of exercise is recommended for best results, many people, especially moms, will confess that a daily 30-minute workout routine is simply not going to happen. As with everything, setting realistic goals is vital for long-term success. Exercise further supports skin health through the natural detoxification process of sweating.
If physical activity is the proactive state of yang, then its gentle restorative state of yin is sleep. The body, mind and spirit need unadulterated time for renewal. It is a time when the skin, body and cells repair and regenerate overnight.
Sleep is the foundation, and it is the only absolute state of restfulness. When there is a sleep deficiency, everything else fails. This is why individuals who go for long periods without getting enough sleep suffer from many more significant issues than just skin complications.
Having an adequate sleep schedule that allows for quality sleep is a priority. Establishing soothing bedtime rituals that reinforce uninterrupted sleep, such as putting away all electronic devices at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed to limit blue light exposure, will help make the most of this precious restorative window of time.
Total Body Wellness
This will only scratch the surface, but it is important to mention some other holistic therapeutic practices, some ancient and others more recent. Sauna, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, acupuncture, light therapy, balneotherapy, chiropractic physical therapy and even dance therapy are incredible options that can synergistically contribute to an “age-free” skin and body.
It is noteworthy that there isn't one cookie-cutter, single approach, and that is the beauty of holistic wellness. Furthermore, the overpowering theme on the holistic path is balance, and this is true concerning all the above-mentioned recommendations, techniques and therapies.
In our modern world, it is easy to lose sight of what matters most. Societal influence may be loud in its intention to dictate beauty and aging standards, but holistic professionals passionately offer another way.
It is important to continue to educate and inspire others to pursue a holistic journey that cultivates a sense of vitality and well-being. A holistic healthy lifestyle is not the easiest route, but in the long run, it is the most rewarding.
Addressing the mind, body and spirit through mental, nutritional, topical and physical care is the way to ultimate skin wellness. Deservingly and appropriately nurturing the skin holistically through all the stages of aging is the answer to radiant, ageless skin.
Victoria Tabak, CEO of Natpure Clinical Skin Care, is a two-time international award-winning licensed esthetician, oncology trained, and a nationally recognized skin care educator advocating for a holistic approach to aging beautifully. She has more than 27 years of experience in the beauty industry and has worked with estheticians, dermatologists and cosmetologists to formulate a holistic approach to beauty that people love.
