The Ultimate Guide to Skin Health
I am regularly asked what people can do to improve the look of their skin before big events. Brides in particular want to know what they should be doing to ensure they have a glowing and radiant complexion on the biggest day of their lives. I’m always happy to give guidance on skincare or beauty treatments that I know have worked in the past but let’s face it, I’m not a beautician. I also know that the gorgeousness of your skin comes from much deeper than what everybody can see on display. With this in mind, I’ve asked my friend and fellow biz boss, Emily Bathgate, to help me out with some insider knowledge on things we can do every day to improve our skin, and amongst other things, health.
What are some of the most common skin issues you help people with and are there any that don’t require some sort of internal solution rather than just a cosmetic treatment?
I’ve seen everything from psoriasis to hives, eczema to rashes, acne to dermatitis! The most common skin complaint would easily have to be post-pill acne, though – that’s something I work on with the majority of my clients.
And no! I truly believe that (while cosmetic treatment and great skincare can absolutely help improve the health of skin) the skin, as our largest organ, is always going to be a symptom and great representation of what’s going on beneath the surface. Good skin health and a radiant glow really do begin within.
How do I know that my skin issue perhaps has more of an underlying issue than just some sporadic sensitivity or acne etc?
I truly believe that the skin is a symptom of what’s happening internally. Even if your skin is only playing up very temporarily – big weekend of cocktails and sugar? Or in the midst of stress central? It’s really important to get honest with yourself when it comes to your skin. And, also: it’s possible to have a period without having your skin breakout. It’s actually normal for this to be the case, and not the other way around!
What are some of the things that you get your clients to look at if they are experiencing skin issues?
As a Naturopath, I have a very holistic approach to treating the skin: I believe that health is more than just the physical, and that it in fact encompasses the mental, emotional and environmental, too. I like looking at my clients’ health pictures as a puzzle – we’ve got to get all of the pieces together to be able to step back and see the bigger picture, and to get things right (and glowing!).
In my work, I focus on six major areas: gut health, hormonal health, mindset, diet, lifestyle, and stress management. The best results in my clients come when we cover all six together.
When choosing skin care or makeup are there things that people can easily avoid if they have sensitive or issue prone skin?
Yes, absolutely! While on the journey to achieving a natural glow, from both the inside-out and the outside-in, you'll want to avoid some nasty ingredients, such as:
BHA + BHT, which can be found in lots of moisturisers and lipsticks, can impair hormonal health, as well as kidney and liver health – all of which can hinder skin health in the long run.
Parabens are very widely used in skin and personal care products, and, whilst acting as preservatives, can unbalance female hormones, cause male sterility, and bring on early puberty.
Remember: our skin is our largest organ. So choose what you put onto it carefully.
You’ll also want to avoid comedogenic ingredients if you have acne- or blemish-prone skin, as these will clog the pores: think Butyl Stearate, Lanolin, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Butter, Isocetyl Stearate + Myristate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Wheat Germ Oil. You’ll notice that even natural ingredients can be comedogenic.
What are your go to products for sensitive or issue prone skin?
I really love a healing, nourishing facial oil. Especially one containing ingredients like jojoba oil, which will mimic the skin’s natural oil (or sebum), making them easy for your skin to absorb and put to work (and preventing them from sitting on top of the skin, or clogging the pores).
What’s the biggest mistake people make when it comes to dealing with skin health?
Unfortunately, there’s no ‘quick fix’ when it comes to health – including skin health. I truly wish there was! But the reality is this:
It takes 28-42 days for your skin cells to renew. This means you're going to need to put in the hard work with your diet and lifestyle (that includes regular exercise, stress management, and more) for 4-6 weeks to ensure that the next skin cells coming through are going to be healthier than the current ones. And, depending on the health of your skin, you might need to continue chipping away for another cycle or two, too.
And we’re just talking skin cells here - hormones work in cycles of 3 months (100 days), and gut health can, in some cases, be an even longer-term project. Something to keep in mind.
I have a huge event on in a week. My skin is breaking out, sensitive and dry. What is something I can do to improve it (quick win suggestion)?
Okay…
Stay calm!
Make sure you drink enough (filtered) water every day this week – and beyond! The average adult should be drinking at least 2L daily to support skin and overall health. And if you’re a coffee or black tea drinker, make sure you’re rehydrating after each cup, as these are diuretics (aka dehydrators).
Up the ‘good’ fats in your diet: wild-caught oily fish, extra virgin olive oil, flax or hemp seed oil, walnuts, avocado, and chia/hemp/flax seeds.
Put the sugar and dairy aside. Both can play havoc with skin, and are very common triggers of skin complaints ranging from dryness and irritation to blemish blow-outs.
Don’t be tempted to change up your skincare routine now – it can take the skin up to 3 months in some cases to adjust to new skincare, and you don’t want to risk confusion for your poor skin while it’s unsettled.
What are 3 things everybody can start doing today to improve the health of their skin?
Drink enough water. I am constantly amazed by how many people don’t drink as much water as their bodies need them to! Two litres of pure, filtered water every day will keep skin hydrated, soft, smooth + toxin-free.
Eat enough protein – ideally with each meal and snack. Having enough protein in the diet is important for balancing skin + energy and encouraging healing + repair. Protein acts as a building block for healthy skin cells, and for our body’s detoxification system. Eating a wide variety of protein sources throughout the day will also keep you full for longer, helping to curb cravings and blood sugar blowouts! Ensure you’re getting a good variety of protein sources: organic + grass-fed meat and poultry, oily wild-caught fish, legumes, nuts + seeds, and quinoa.
Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Regularly practicing gratitude, and recognising all of those wonderful things and people we're grateful for, can help us to better appreciate others, feel happier, get better sleep, take better care of ourselves, and feel empathy (both towards others but also ourselves!). And while practicing gratitude may not magically perfect your skin, it can certainly help with the way you view and value yourself, and your health + wellbeing.
Emily Bathgate is a qualified naturopath, self-confidence ambassador and former acne sufferer, specialising in natural health solutions and clean beauty alternatives. As a holistic skin and beauty expert, and owner/formulator of natural skin + lifestyle brand The Purist Collection, Emily is devoted to helping women reclaim their radiance, and achieve healthy skin (and even healthier self-esteem!), naturally.
If you’d like more information on ways you can improve the appearance of your skin or heal it from the inside out, then check out Emily’s eBook, Ready Set Glow HERE. Emily has also just launched a monthly membership to provide people with high level coaching on ways they can improve their health naturally.
@thepuristcollection @emily_thepurist