Giving Your Skin a Little Love

It has been almost a year since the world has been turned upside down. We are experiencing unprecedented times and are taking great steps to protect ourselves and those around us, by listening to Healthcare and Government authorities. Stress can wreak havoc not only on our mental being, but on our bodies and skin too. Now more than ever it’s important to nourish yourself with some self-love, as it will help you feeling your best during these difficult times.

These practices will not only show your skin some love, but they too will help you feel better from the outside-in and inside-out. 

 Develop a skincare routine – Your skin is your body’s largest organ and needs the proper love and attention to help you keep looking and feeling your best each and every day. Include these steps daily in your skincare routine, and your skin will be healthy and clean.

• Wash your face daily (especially in the evening) with a gentle cleanser made with natural ingredients.
• Moisturizer should be used every time you wash your face. Find one that’s right for your skin and leave it feeling hydrated and smooth.
• Use SPF on any exposed skin all year long. Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB. For days when you aren’t spending long hours outside or basking in the sun, consider using a moisturizer or foundation that contains SPF.
• To help nourish the skin’s surface, exfoliating your skin is helpful to remove dead skin cells, detox and stimulate circulation. Keep an exfoliating face wash and body wash in the shower so you’ll remember to use it. At least once or twice a week is recommended.

Care about ingredients – What you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your body.  Fancy packaging and marketing promises doesn’t always mean a product is good for you.

• Clean out your beauty stash and get rid of brands that contain harmful chemicals.
• Look for brands that only use clean and natural ingredients in their products.
• With EWG’s Skin Deep database, you can search for an ingredient, brand or EWG certified product.

 Eat healthy – Antioxidant rich foods seem to provide a positive effect on your skin. Look younger and fresher by eating foods that help renew your skin cells and replenish your body’s vital nutrients. Make sure to add these anti-aging superheroes daily to your diet.

• Fruits and vegetables are full of important vitamins and mineral. Make sure to consume plenty of green leafy vegetables and bright coloured fruit often.
• Salmon contains Omega-3 fatty acids and is a good source of protein, which helps your skin rebuild and repair and improves your skins resilience.
• Water is so important for your overall health and helps rid your body and skin of toxins. Increasing your water intake can really have a huge effect on your skin.

 Get enough sleep – It seems like a simple task, but often can be so hard with todays demands. However, getting enough sleep is the best thing you can do for your health and your skin too. When you sleep your body’s cells regenerate, therefore lack of sleep can affect this process leaving your skin dull and contributing to the development of dark circles.

• Try going to bed a half hour earlier than you normally do.
• Do some meditation or deep breathing before you sleep.
• Take some time on the weekends to catch up for sleep missed during the busy week.

Written by Alyssa Rolnick, Co-Founder of Zax’s Original Products, Registered Dietitian and Mother of 3 active kids.