Is beauty only skin deep? Our skin is our largest organ that helps to keep your skin healthy and clear with detoxification, as a protective barrier against germs and pathogens, regulates our body temperature and stores nerves endings to feel cold, pain and heat. It supports important functions for the body and yet we often neglect its health. Unhealthy skin presents itself in the form of psoriasis, eczema, unhealthy skin colour, dryness and spots like acne. Other signs of illness like vitamin deficiencies, diabetes and jaundice can show up in your skin as well.
Understanding Your Skin Type
One way to keep your skin healthy and clear is to understand what your skin type is and what works for it. There are 5 different skin types:
Normal Skin - Neither too oil or too dry, normal skin has just enough sebum production, an even skin tone and no marked blemishes. People with normal skin types should use products that don’t cause dryness or feel too greasy.
Dry Skin - Dry skin feels tight, may show up as flaky with scaly patches, and often have several lines and wrinkles. Having dry skin means that your skin doesn’t produce enough sebum through its oil glands. Using products like moisturiser in the forms of creams would be beneficial for your skin.
Oily Skin - On the other hand, oily skin is caused by excessive sebum production, leading to a greasy appearance, large pores and being more prone to acne, whiteheads and blackheads. Oily skin needs more exfoliation, a reduction in the use of thick makeup which may clog pores, and the use of oil-free moisturisers and products.
Combination Skin - Combination skin refers to skin which has oily and dry spots in different areas of the face, for example areas like the T-zone tend to be more oily compared to the rest of the face. Those with combination skin should avoid chemical treatments and ingredients, exfoliate regularly and use two different types of moisturisers for their varying skin.
Sensitive Skin - Sensitive skin can be oily, dry or combination types but with additional redness and inflammation. Using skincare with natural ingredients and being very careful with your diet is a must.
Daily Routine To Keep Your Skin Healthy
To keep your skin clean and healthy, following a daily routine for cleansing and moisturising is crucial.
Cleansing - Washing your face with a gentle cleanser every morning and night can help to keep your skin clear and clean from impurities and dirt. Cleansing your skin after removing your makeup is also important to prevent your pores from being clogged up.
We recommend Miessence Balancing Cleanser that contains organic lemon peel oil and soothing calendula to remove excess oils and leaves skin smooth and supple.
For deeper cleansing, you can also apply a face mask weekly to the skin. We suggest using Adam’s Claymin powder as a clay mask for the face to remove impurities embedded in the skin.
Toner - Toner helps to prepare your skin for the next step in your skincare routine - moisturising. Toner lowers your skin’s pH level, calms the skin and balances it after cleansing. You can use a gentle toner with natural botanical cleansing agents for this step.
Moisturising - Finally, moisturiser replenishes moisture to your skin after a long day of exposure to the sun, pollution and the surrounding environment. Moisturising can help your skin stay young, fight against wrinkles and blemishes, and reduce other skin problems.
Serum is a type of concentrated and powerful moisturiser that penetrates deep into the skin to deliver active ingredients. We recommend Miessence Rejuvenating Facial Serum that contains a potent blend of rosehip seed, avocado and jojoba oil with organic rose, calendula and carrot to revitalise tired, stressed and aging skin.
In addition to the serum, adding a regular daily moisturiser like Miessence Rejuvenating Skin Conditioner will also help to continue to lock in moisture and hydrate dry skin. It contains organic gotu kola and horsetail to enhance the skin’s radiance.
Meanwhile, to moisturize your body, we also suggest using Zum Body Lotion, known for its use of organic ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil and aloe vera. Scented with organic botanical extracts, the body lotion is like another soothing layer of heaven after a nice shower.
Tips To Keep Your Skin Healthy And Clear
While taking the correct steps to cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin is important, there are a number of other ways to keep your skin smooth and healthy too.
Protect yourself from the sun’s rays
Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer and damage your skin. To prevent wrinkles and ageing effects, stay in the shade, wear hats, long-sleeve tops and long pants to protect against the rays, as well as wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen especially if you are often outdoors.
Keep hydrated and drink more water
Making it a habit to drink more water everyday can help to hydrate and keep skin healthy and glowing. Most of us need about 8-10 cups of water or 2 litres of water per day, and more if you exercise often. Drinking more water can help your skin feel plumper, reduce fine lines and flush out more toxins from your body for clearer skin.
Don’t smoke
Smoking narrows your blood vessels and causes a reduction in blood flow, making your skin appear paler. It also decreases the amount of nutrients and oxygen to your skin, damages collagen and elastin for skin elasticity and increases wrinkles around your lips and eyes.
Eating a whole food, organic diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables
We know that eating a lot of processed foods, sugar and even dairy can cause our skin to become more inflamed and break out. By eliminating these foods and switching to organic whole foods with lots of fruits and vegetables, you are providing your body and your skin with beneficial vitamins and minerals that are free from toxins and chemicals. Especially focusing on antioxidants like dark, green vegetables and berries can fight against free radicals and improve skin health.
Add Omega-3s to improve skin health
Incorporating more good fatty acids into your diet can help reduce inflammation in the skin, protect against environmental stress and restore your skin’s barrier. Consuming more healthy fats like olive oil, oily fish and flaxseed oil can reduce skin dryness. We recommend a good Omega-3 supplement to easily add this to your daily intake of nutrients.
Get a good night’s sleep
They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. While sleeping, your skin goes into restorative mode, removing toxins and repairing cells and DNA damage. Cortisol levels, which can cause premature ageing and wound healing, also are reduced while you sleep. Melatonin and collagen production also increases at night, helping to repair and regenerate the skin.
Manage stress
Similar to sleep, managing stress can help to lower cortisol levels and improve skin health and repair. Chronic stress can also trigger skin flare ups including eczema and psoriasis, causing more inflammation and irritation. Using essential oils and scents can create a sense of relaxation and lower your stress quickly.
Keeping your skin healthy and clear is a concerted, holistic effort that involves your diet, lifestyle habits and how you cleanse your skin. As everyone’s skin is different, understanding what works for you and trying out different tips will help you find the best way to take care of your own skin.