Today, with our fast-paced, stress-filled lifestyles we seem to have forgotten how to take proper care of ourselves – our skin included. We are consumed with a desire to look perfect, cover every imperfection, blemish and impurity without doing the real legwork. The solutions we reach for are more often than not superficial quick-fix ones, such as makeup, a tool that can only do so much to hide our lacks but not actually fix them.
Then there are, of course, numerous aggressive and synthetic skincare products that promise instant and miraculous results, when it truth most of them are wrong choices that in the long run do more damage than good; products like these can actually harm the skin and make it age even faster.
Besides, skin issues are often just a manifestation of something being wrong from within, and skin is only a reflection of the processes taking place in our bodies. In order to get to the root of the problem and truly work it out, we have to start from the beginning – go back to basics and adopt a holistic approach to skincare, which will not only result in genuinely healthy skin but provide the well-being of body and mind. So let us start from the top.
Beautiful from Within
The first, and single most important step, you can and should take is a healthier lifestyle, and the first thing that has to be left in the past is poor diet. If you have no clue where to begin, start with green and organic. This means preparing meals that are dominated by vegetables and fruits. Some of the foods that have been bestowed with a name ‘superfoods’, like algae, berries, and many others are a great place to start. You can even take it a step further and make a personalized dietary plan with your nutritionist. You have to bear in mind that each body is different and there is not a one-fits-all nutrition plan, so you may need to take the time to figure out what works best for you.
One thing is for sure – foods loaded with sugar and carbs have got to go. They are just empty calories that provide you with no real energy, and can cause inflammation, breakouts and numerous other skin issues.
Start with this, stick with it and observe how your skin changes for the better. Never forget to stay hydrated, anything below eight glasses of water will just not do. If you are not used to drinking so much water and tend to forget to do so, install an app and keep track of your water intake. Hydration is crucial.
Active Body, Peaceful Mind
Healthy and balanced diet is the first step, but on its own it is not enough. Apart from poor diet some of the skin issues such as inflammation (the leading cause of visible aging and skin damage), come as a result of stress, inactive – sedentary lifestyle and overuse of prescription drugs. That means that you need to start moving and make exercise a priority.
Do not find the time; make the time to improve your body. This is not just about looking fit and attractive – the true benefit and goal of exercise is to improve your health and say good riddance to toxins that are piling up on account of unhealthy lifestyle.
Still, more work needs to be done in order to achieve serenity and true calm, and the road to a peaceful mind is meditation and yoga. Your body will be in harmony with nature as a result, and you will learn how to block out all the city and workplace noise that you do not need in your life – in sound body, sound mind.
Final Skin Investment
Now that you have started to take care of your body and mind, skincare products actually have a canvas to work with and make additional impact. Now it is time to invest in your skincare products just as you have invested in your body and mind.
The products that you choose should have a long history that inspires trust. They should come from companies that have been around for many decades, and more importantly, they should be quality products such as Payot, that have been developed by actual doctors. No skin product is more trustworthy than that created by a medical professional. Moreover, there is an entire skin fitness philosophy behind the company that goes beyond the products, and it is worth looking into.
Indulge in healthy food, pamper the mind with serenity that comes from meditation, and finally, spoil your skin with great skincare and skin exercise, letting that be the cherry on top of your transformation. Start with gentle exfoliators to remove dead cells and make room for new ones, and never forget to moisturize. Hydration is key, always remember that.