For years, I struggled with breakouts. It made me self conscious, lowered my self esteem, and drove me CRAZY.
In my twenties, I thought there must be a wash, cream, or toner that can solve my problems. I tried many of the popular (and expensive!!) facial care systems on the market, used creams prescribed by my dermatologist, and even tried organic washes and lotions, but nothing worked. Each product I tried promised great results, so what was I doing wrong?
To my amazement, it had very little to do with what was being applied externally, and everything to do with what was going on internally. It just so happened that throughout my skin issues, I was also dealing with a lot of belly issues, including bloat, stomach upset, and constipation/diarrhea. When I began to discover the cause of my digestive troubles, my skin began to improve dramatically as well.
Skin is the largest organ of the body. If our lifestyle impacts all of the internal organs in our body, it makes complete sense that the largest organ would also be effected. You know when people are sick and you can see it in there face? Our skin is a looking glass into what is happening inside. It is important to take note of when things occur to pinpoint the cause and find a solution.
After years of trial and error with food, monitoring my lifestyle, and observing my moods, thoughts, and feelings, I finally came to understand the triggers that were causing my skin reactions. I hope my experience can save you a lot of time, money, and wasted energy.
And now…
The 5 Steps to Beautiful Skin
1. Eat nourishing foods for your body
Why do I say your body? Well, that’s because each one of us is unique and require different forms of nourishment. What is your diet like? It is highly processed, high in fat free/low fat products, overloaded with added gluten, sugar, and/or dairy? While everybody is different, there are certain items that seem to be linked to skin issues for the masses. In order to figure out what your personal triggers are, clean up your diet by getting rid of anything processed and artificial, begin eating mostly plant based (meaning eat more foods from the earth than anything else), and monitor high allergen foods. This may take time, but I promise it’ll be worth it.
2. Drink plenty of water
Drinking adequate water is crucial for our vital organs to function. Water flushes out the toxins from our bodies, cleans out dirt and bacteria, and can help us shine from the inside out. It also helps moisturize and replenish the skin cells with essential nutrients. By adding more water to your diet, you will experience whole-body changes and many positive side effects that go far beyond your face.
3. Manage your stress
We are all susceptible to levels of stress, and the impacts it has on our bodies is astounding. Stress produces the hormone cortisol, which can cause the body to produce more oil, cause inflammation and flare ups, and interfere with the bacteria in the gut. All of these factors can lead to acne symptoms. It is important to find ways to combat stress, such as meditation, deep breathing, developing a routine, and scheduling more time for fun in your life. Let’s stop stressing and start living!
4. Get more sleep
It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing! You know that morning glow you have when you wake from a long and restful night? That is the result of an increase in blood flow to the skin while you are sleeping. As we sleep, functions like breathing slows and blood pressure drops, so the blood supply can work to repair the muscles and tissues. When good sleep isn’t happening, the benefits of overnight renewal can’t occur. Most adults should aim for about 7-8 hours each night. I know this can be challenging (I’m definitely talking to you moms out there!), but more is better than perfect. Aim for more than you are currently getting, maybe by going to bed an hour earlier each night, and you will feel the difference.
5. Moisturize
While the natural functions of the body take care of the skin wonderfully, moisturizers are a great add-on. They help treat and prevent dry skin, and act as a barrier between the skin and the environment. So many toxins, dirt, and bacteria fly on to our skin every day and it helps to have an extra layer of protection. I use coconut oil to moisturize, and often add a drop of essential oil (such as frankincense or lavender) for increased benefits.
Well, there ya have it!
I hope you’ve found this list to be helpful, and I hope you implement these key factors of healthy, glowing skin into your daily life. If you do, I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Thanks for reading. Have a great day!
With Love & Gratitude,
Brittany
Brittany Molloy 
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