While the ingredients we discussed earlier will naturally boost your skin’s glow and vitality, there are some common skin issues that respond well to particular ingredients. In this shift, you’ll learn tips to overcome any issues that might be plaguing your skin. We’ve also included recipes for masks and tonics that were designed specifically for each individual concern.
Acne is an all too common skin condition that can be exacerbated by impurities in your blood that push out through your skin, causing breakouts. Here are some of the best ways to cut down on these impurities and create clear, radiant skin:
• Reduce consumption of oils in general and high fat, heavy foods. Excessive oils in the system can aggravate your moisture balance and clog the pores.
• Incorporate cumin, turmeric, and ginger when cooking to boost digestion and help promote pure, healthy blood.
• Eliminate dairy from your diet, which some research has linked to acne.1
• Take an excellent probiotic supplement (see this page) and an oxygen-magnesium supplement (such as Detoxy +), which is a nonlaxative, non-habit-forming, and nonirritating internal cleanser that is free of gluten, animal products, and corn.
Here are a few good skin-care ingredients to target acne:
This has antibacterial and soothing properties and is a great alternative to benzoyl peroxide, which can be drying and irritating.
This is great, especially in face masks, as it helps to calm the skin and balance sebum production (see this page for more details).
These help to exfoliate dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, and leave your skin smoother (see this page for more details).
Poor drainage of fluids can contribute to puffy, baggy under-eye circles. It’s important to keep your circulation working optimally and prevent a buildup of fluids, which can be done by eating foods with balanced electrolytes (essential minerals that affect your body-fluid balance, among other critical processes) and avoiding too much sodium. Bags under the eyes can also mean you have a buildup of impurities from sluggish digestion or overtaxed adrenals, so be sure to incorporate lots of lemons and lemon water to flush out your system and to supply your body with vitamin C. Before we talk about some of the remedies for the skin around your eyes, here are some more tips to avoid or improve the existence of bags under your eyes:
• Increase your rest and sleep, especially if you’re a woman on your moon, or menstrual, cycle; a lack of sleep can exacerbate the visibility of under-eye issues.
• Avoid (or at least cut down as much as possible) on caffeine and alcohol, which can leach minerals from your system and tax your adrenals, contributing to under-eye bags and circles.
• Avoid smoked, grilled, or barbecued foods, which tend to be excessively high in sodium (as well as nitrosamines, which are considered carcinogenic).
• Incorporate coconut water, which helps balance electrolytes such as potassium and sodium.
• Hydrate more in general, as some research out of Oxford University has shown the appearance of the skin under the eyes is linked to kidney health,2 and your kidneys function best in the presence of abundant hydration.
• Make sure to incorporate banana into your Glowing Green Smoothie (see this page for recipe), which is high in B vitamins and potassium; these are great for helping to keep your skin smooth and puffiness at bay.
• Cut out refined sugars and use only stevia or raw coconut nectar as your go-to sweeteners. Unlike refined white or artificial sugars, stevia and raw coconut nectar won’t tax your adrenals and cause inflammation, a by-product of which can be under-eye bags and puffiness.
• Avoid consuming other foods with high sodium, such as soy sauce, close to bedtime. This can contribute to greater dehydration throughout the night and can cause you to wake up sporting prominently pronounced under-eye bags.
Here are a few good skin-care ingredients to target under-eye bags:
Look for this on ingredient lists. They are great for supporting healthy collagen and elastin in the structure of your skin, which will help it stay taut and less prone to bagginess.
This can support the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which transports chemical energy between skin cells for improved overall function and enhanced skin repair and regeneration.
Beyond just a simple accumulation of fat, cellulite can involve the breakdown of collagen and the buildup of heavy metals and toxins in fat cells. Many of us believe that cellulite is something they just have to live with, and it’s true that it’s a natural phenomenon in at least 70 percent of people, but there are things you can do to cut down on the appearance of it. Here are some of the most effective methods:
• Infrared sauna sessions help penetrate tissues and fat cells and encourage your body to let go of heavy metals that can expand fat cells.
• Perform dry brushing (see this page) on a regular basis over the cellulite-infected areas to move stagnant lymph.
• Cook only with coconut oil and avoid cooking with vegetable oils that become rancid at higher temperatures. Rancid oils can be very difficult for your body to break down, so they may contribute to excess storage in your fat cells that can amplify the appearance of cellulite.
There is limited to no scientific proof that cellulite creams actually work, but if you want to try using a cream on top of your other efforts, here are a few ingredients to look into:
This has been proven to thicken the uppermost skin-cell layer, thereby reducing the appearance of lumpy cellulite. However, refer back to this page for more information on potential toxicity precautions about vitamin A ingredients. And if you are trying to conceive or you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s important to forgo vitamin A products altogether.
Used topically, caffeine can improve blood flow to the skin and is purported to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Dry skin is a common issue that is often the result of imbalances in your diet or environment. Here are a few of the best ways to keep your skin moisturized and glowing.
• Practice abhyanga regularly (see this page) using cold-pressed, unrefined oils. Be sure to rinse off in the shower afterward before applying any additional moisturizer.
• Avoid eating too many dry, crispy foods such as crackers, pretzels, and so on.
• Make sure you are taking a plant-based omega-3 DHA and EPA supplement.
• Incorporate easily digested beauty fats such as avocados, coconut oil, and chia seeds. Make sure you aren’t avoiding fat altogether!
• Eat lots of sweet, juicy fruits to hydrate your skin.
• Drink lots of room temperature water.
• If your home environment is very dry, consider getting a humidifier.
• Avoid very hot showers and limit time in hot baths, which can dry out your skin.
• Avoid drying cleansers that can strip your skin of its natural moisture balance, such as ones that contain alcohol.
Here are a few skin-care ingredients to incorporate for dry skin:
This is produced naturally in your body and is also found in topical products. It helps attract moisture and keeps your skin moisturized and hydrated.
These are two examples of natural, plant-based occlusives that create a thin film over the skin, lock in moisture, and slow the evaporation of water loss from your skin’s surface, helping to create a barrier against water loss.
This is a great natural moisturizer that helps strengthen cell membranes. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. There are many other great natural plant oils, including black cumin seed, hemp seed, tamanu, almond, and so on.
According to Ayurveda, red patches are caused by too much Pitta fire present, which may be generated from within by foods that are allergenic or inflammatory. Try eliminating common allergens, such as dairy and gluten, for two weeks and see if symptoms subside. Here are some additional tips for cutting down on this common skin ailment:
• Avoid spicy and pungent foods and spices such as chilies and chili powder to cut down on internal “fire.”
• Take probiotics and eat probiotic-rich foods, such as raw sauerkraut (known in the Beauty Detox community as Probiotic & Enzyme Salad).
• To ensure your digestion is efficient and regular, try adding a magnesium-oxygen supplement (such as Detoxy +) in the evenings.
• Try adding some turmeric, which has cleansing properties, to your soups and when cooking veggies.
• Sip warm herbal teas during the day to help keep the microcirculatory channels flowing and free of toxins.
• Drink coconut water, which is cooling.
• Incorporate lots of raw greens into your diet, since raw greens are considered cooling.
• Eat sweet, watery fruits such as pineapples and mangoes to help balance the internal “fire.”
• Avoid full body saunas and spa treatments that saturate your face in heat. The half infrared sauna is a great option (see Kimberly’s website for recommendations at kimberlysnyder.com).
• Avoid fragrances, dyes, and acids, which can all be irritating to the skin.
Here are a few great skin-care ingredients to incorporate for red, patchy skin:
• Chamomile and aloe are soothing ingredients for your skin.
• Green tea acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and helps neutralize aging and irritating free radicals.
You can blame your grandmother for these beauties. Poor Granny is sweet and innocent, and you sure do love that great lady, but the fact is that vein issues are largely linked to heredity. Most of us never think about our veins and take them completely for granted. That is, until they start rearing their bluish, unwanted heads up to the surface! There are two main types of cosmetically unfortunate vein issues. The first is varicose veins, which can be a more serious form of venous insufficiency. These can lead to pain and soreness, as well as restless legs. If these issues have become a problem for you, get them checked out by your doctor.
On the other hand, telangiectasia, commonly known as spider veins, can indicate a much more mild form of venous insufficiency. They are cosmetically a doozy, but are not health- or life-threatening. So what causes these unfortunate blue malfunctions? Broken-down valves in the veins cause venous insufficiency. These malfunctioning valves prevent blood flow back to the arteries, which can cause blood to accumulate and pool up. Such vein issues can become more pronounced if one is sedentary or has reduced circulation, and they can even be aggravated by hormonal issues like hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, or birth control.4 Here are some things you can do about them:
• Walk around often to keep circulation flowing.
• If you stand still often, look into compression hose to help with support. Some are more visually appealing than others, and you might not want to wear some of them on your bare legs (at least out in public), but you can certainly wear them under a long skirt or pants.
• When showering, massage the area around the broken veins first in a gentle circular motion and then in an upward motion to help improve circulation. (Avoid this with painful varicose veins.)
• Dry brush your skin, as discussed earlier on this page, which helps stimulate the growth and repair of the tissues and underlying veins by increasing blood flow to the area. It also helps remove the blood that has leaked out of the capillaries by diffusing it into the interstitial fluids for removal. Brushing the spider veins very gently in a circular motion then upward toward the heart several times per day can improve their appearance.
• Vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E are all great nutrients to help with tissue repair, optimal circulation, and strong veins. Great sources include carrots, nutritional yeast, mushrooms, almonds, lemons, and bell peppers.
• Avoid inflammatory vegetable oils, especially when cooked, which can become rancid in your body and increase free radicals and cellular damage.
• Make sure you eat the right beauty fats, such as avocados, coconut oil, and olive oil (best taken raw and lightly on certain dishes such as salads). This can help you build nice strong cell walls.
• Eat pineapple! It contains a dietary enzyme called bromelain, which can improve overall circulation by reducing the buildup of fibrin along the walls of the blood vessels.
• Spider veins are often associated with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and birth control pills. High levels of estrogen from these medications seem to aggravate venous insufficiency. If you are using birth control pills, you may want to ask your doctor for a lower-estrogen-dose formula. If you are on HRT, you may want to consider switching to a lower dose, adding progesterone, or using a weaker formula, such as an estrone cream.
• Try to elevate your legs to hip level for a few minutes several times a day. Frequency is more important than the amount of time in this case. Get out of the habit of crossing your legs, knees, and ankles when seated. If you have a desk job, try to spend a few minutes walking around every hour. If you have a job that requires standing for hours on end, try to sit and elevate your feet to hip level once every hour.