The skin is our largest organ and is certainly reflective of the body’s overall vitality. The body will reflect its internal health in the external organ (skin). Good nutrition and hydration are essential to maintaining radiant and healthy skin tissue.
If you have younger skin, taking care of your skin now and slowing the aging process will serve you later. As we age the body’s ability to renew skin cells becomes less efficient. The amount of natural moisture is also reduced. As the skin ages, collagen production also diminishes, contributing to thinner skin with less flexibility.
Taking Care From The Inside Out: Internal Treatments
The outer layer of our skin (epidermis) replaces itself every 35 days, and is replaced from the basal keratinocyte layer. Collagen makes up 75% of our skin, thus healthy skin is often associated with healthy collagen levels. Collagen is a major structural protein in the skin. It plays a key role in providing the structural scaffolding for keratinocytes. It is created by fibroblasts, which are specialized skin cells located in the dermis.
Fibroblasts also produce other skin structural proteins such as elastin (a protein which gives the skin its ability to snap back) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs make up the ground substance that keeps the dermis hydrated. Some herbs are reported to stimulate glycogen production, such as Gotu Kola and Ginkgo Biloba. Vitamin C is also important for collagen synthesis. Gotu Kola enhances integrity and vascularization of connective tissue and skin, and stimulates wound healing. It also is known to improve elasticity of blood vessels. Ginkgo Biloba is known to enhance connective tissue integrity. I take 30 drops each of Gotu Kola and Ginkgo Biloba tincture every day, morning and night.
Studies have shown that taking Vitamin C (citric acid) with Vitamin E may reduce the sunburn reaction. This may indicate a reduced risk for UV-induced skin damage. I use Collagen C from Standard Process, 1 tablet in the morning and 1 at night, with 1000 IU d-alpha Vitamin E daily. I also take 500mg of vitamin D-3. D-3 is actually a hormone that is synthesized in the skin.
The best place to obtain this essential nutrient is from the sun. Sun exposure is actually very essential for the health of our skin (more on my philosophy of sun exposure in a following article).
If you live in a Northern climate, and/or, you avoid the sun, make sure you are supplementing with this essential nutrient.
One last and very important nutrient for aging skin is Coenzyme Q10. This vitamin-like substance is found in all parts of the body. It is responsible for energy production in every cell in the body. CoQ10 increases oxygenation to the cells and has vital anti-aging effects. As with many things, its availability in skin cells decreases with age. Our exposure to free radicals causes the body to consume it more freely. As skin cells die, the body must produce enough energy to replace them just as quickly. When we expose our skin to environmental factors, we increase the need for the body to keep up with the demand for creating new cells. CoQ10 is a crucial component in the recovery process, as it is a power house nutrient for cellular production. Studies have shown the ability of CoQ10 to support the production of collagen, and to protect skin cell deterioration from UVA exposure. I take 60mg with my Collagen C and vitamin E combination.
This takes care of the internal care of your skin, now for the topical treatments.
Skin Care Routine: Topical Treatments
Let’s start with morning cleansing. If you are in the habit of just rinsing your face with water in the morning, you are leaving up to 35% of dead skin cells and sebum buildup on your skin. Our skin is exposed to free radicals (charged chemical particles that are destructive to organic substances like the protein in our skin) that should be removed from the skin daily.
Not all face cleansers are the same. Some are harsh cleansers and will cause the skin to over produce oils to compensate. I developed LUSTER as a very gentle and mostly nourishing facial cleanser, and it can be used daily for even the most sensitive skin types. LUSTER gently washes away impurities and deeply nourishes in the process with the following nutrients:
Aloe Vera, and vitamin E, contribute anti-inflammatory and healing qualities, coconut oil helps to retain moisture and soothes irritated skin. Again, COQ10 is a powerful natural antioxidant which is important as an anti-aging treatment. This nutrient increases cell energy, boosts skin cell repair, and regeneration. Hyaluronic acid is an incredible moisture boost to the skin. Oats are well known for reducing skin irritation and aids in healing damaged skin tissue. Oat also helps to stimulate collagen synthesis and is a natural skin moisturizer. Panthenol is added to help reduce redness and irritation. Decyl Glucoside (a natural cleanser derived from coconut and corn fatty acids), cleanses without causing dryness. Lactic Acid gently exfoliates the skin, aids in cell renewal, and improves collagen and elastin synthesis. Frankincense essential oil is used to prevent collagen degeneration and to soothe damaged skin tissue, by increasing leukocytes in defense against infection. Lavender essential oil is added for its ability to promote tissue regeneration and to speed wound healing. Rose Geranium essential oil is added to help balance sebum, it helps to cleanse oily skin, and improves blood flow. Carrot Seed essential oil aids dry skin conditions and is known to diminish fine lines in the skin.
To use LUSTER: Moisten skin with warm water; put ¼ pump into the palms and work into a lather. Gently and in circular motions massage the face and neck area. Rinse well with cool water.
For a daily spa like facial, mix ½ teaspoon RADIANCE with ½ pump of LUSTER in the palm to form a paste. In circular motion gently rub the paste into the face, neck, and chest, for 2 minutes. Let the mask rest on the face for another 2-5 minutes. Rinse with warm water. RADIANCE will leave your skin bright and soft. The herbs and the clay combination detoxifies the skin, tightens the pours, and very gently exfoliates dead skin cells. RADIANCE can be used daily, morning or evening, as you wish.
Now your skin is ready for hydration and protection.
LUSH is a powerful healing cream in a little jar. LUSH will balance combination skin, help heal blemishes, and has great anti-inflammatory ingredients. LUSH is soothing and healing without feeling sticky or greasy. It absorbs into the skin very quickly. LUSH was formulated to balance, tone, and protect young skin, while supplying topically what is needed to support collagen production (vitamin C, COQ10), and moisture (vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, coconut oil, glycerine, rosehip seed oil, and oat) in aging skin. A very tiny amount of LUSH combined with a few pumps of HYDRATE is all you need for your face, neck, and decollete. LUSH on its own is a rich, nourishing cream. Use it by itself if you have dry or aging skin. If you have younger skin a few sprays of HYDRATE will thin it to your needed level of moisture. I have oily skin so I use enough to cover just the tip of my pinky finger, blended with a few sprays of HYDRATE.
For my evening moisturizing:
NECTAR is an oil serum that deeply nourishes skin tissue, containing some of the most nutrient dense and anti-aging oils available: Argan oil is rich in antioxidants, giving it the ability to regress the signs of aging. The unsaturated fatty acids and squalene in Argan oil mark it as a very effective free radical fighter. Free radicals result in oxidation (seen as age spots) like the rust that builds up on metal left out in the elements. Sea Buckthorn oil contains carotenoids that are precursors to vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for the eyes and skin. It contains compounds that have beneficial effects on inflammation and other mechanisms associated with dryness.
Clinical trials have shown the effects of this special oil on addressing dry skin. Measurements of skin hydration, elasticity, roughness, and cutaneous thickness were taken before application. After 1 month use, the results showed dramatic improvements. Sea Buckthorn oil has an orange hue from the high concentration of carotenoids, please take care to protect from fabric. Rosehip seed oil contains natural Tretinoin a derivate of Rentinol (vitamin A), which replenishes and rebuilds skin tissue. Vitamin E is a fat soluble nutrient that is essential for healthy skin. I use a mixed tocopherol (most abundant form of vitamin E). Vitamin E is the most abundant lipophilic (fat loving) antioxidant found in the human skin. Vitamin E absorbs the energy from ultraviolet (UV) light and is important for protecting the skin from sun damage. Essential oils of Carrot seed, Rose, and Lavender add a deeply healing element not to mention a heavenly aroma to this special serum.
Apply NECTAR to the face nightly for a deeper and more nourishing treatment.
Let's Re-Cap For A Daily At-Home Spa Facial
My Daily Skin Care Regimen:
Step 1
Cleanse and Nourish
Wet face and neck with warm water. 1 to ¼ pump of LUSTER into palm and work into a lather. In circular motions gently massage face and neck. LUSTER is gentle enough to remove eye makeup.
Step 2
Exfoliation
Wet face and neck with warm water. 1 to ½ tsp of RADIANCE in the palm of the hand with 1 to ½ pump of LUSTER. Make a lose paste with your fingers. Gently rub the paste in circular motions paying special attention to areas where pores are enlarged. Massage gently for 2 minutes. Let paste rest on the face as a mask for another 2-4 minutes. Rinse well.
Step 3
Moisturize and Nourish
Take desired amount of LUSH into the palm of the hand add 2-3 sprays of HYDRATE if desired. Incorporate well and apply to the face with a gentle pressing motion until the entire face, neck, and chest are covered.
Step 4
Deeper Moisturize
For more concentrated tissue repair and nourishment, use NECTAR on areas of the face and neck where you have fine lines forming. NECTAR can be used on its own or applied with LUSH
Sources:
http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/211505
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-D
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-C
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9448204
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-E
Back to BLOG