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We’re living in an era in which natural beauty and constant glowing skin are essential. You've probably been told that a way to “fix” acne-prone skin is by transforming your diet and lifestyle.
But there’s one important question: is clear skin actually a sign of good health?
To put it simply, not always — people can have clear skin even if they don’t live the healthiest lifestyle. However, that's not to say living a healthy lifestyle won't work in synergy to aid your skin's health and appearance, either. Here’s what you need to know.
The Science Behind Clear Skin
Trying to understand your skin isn’t always as easy as they say. You can expect your skin to confuse you from time to time — it is the body's largest and most complicated organ, after all.
There is no one-size-fits-all skincare routine or product. We believe the all-in-one drug store approach is outdated — your skin deserves better. It deserves a professional-grade, clinically proven skin routine.
Why Isn’t My Skin Clear?
There are a lot of different causes of acne — some avoidable, others not. Even if you live the healthiest lifestyle, you'll still likely break out or deal with a blemish or two once in a while.
Here are the most common reasons behind skin that isn’t clear, both for the long-term and the short-term.
Genetics
Genetics can play a vital role in what your skin is like. If acne runs in your family, especially acne that carries on through adulthood, you can expect to have an increased chance of dealing with it, too.
That said, not being blessed with exceptional genes doesn't mean clear skin is impossible for you to achieve. It just may take a bit more effort to keep breakouts at bay.
Stress
Stress can affect your health in many ways, especially when it comes to the appearance of our sin. Amid a bad breakout, the last thing you want is added stress.
When your body is stressed, it releases a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone, which eventually triggers the release of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. Cortisol can promote excess production of our skin’s natural oil, sebum, which can result in clogged pores, inflammation, and a buildup of bacteria and dead skin cells, which all can ultimately lead to breakouts.
Low-Quality Skin Care Products
If you aren't using clean products, the ingredients in your favorite formula may be doing more harm than good.
It’s important to opt for high-quality, scientifically-backed ingredients in your skincare routine, especially if you have acne-prone skin — the wrong ingredients in your night cream can not only fail to produce the clearer skin you’re looking for, but in the worst case they may be actually contributing to breakouts.
Nourishing Biologicals uses clean, clinically proven, sustainable products that treat the cause of irritated skin, not just the symptoms. Our formulas work to hydrate and nourish skin so it can do what it does best — take care of itself.
Ensuring you expose your skin to only clean ingredients that actually work is the first step to achieving your dream skin!
Diet
While clear skin isn't always a sign of amazing health, that's not to say clear, healthy skin won’t be a pleasant byproduct of making healthier choices. It can be difficult to have clear and glowing skin if a poor diet is a part of your daily routine.
Understanding the correlation between your diet and skin can be tricky, as some people have food allergies or sensitivities that others do not. It may take some trial and error, but being more intentional and thoughtful of what you're eating will make it easier to figure out what works and what doesn't.
We’ll give you a hint: fast food, greasy foods, processed foods, and foods high in simple carbs, sodium, and trans fats are not doing your skin any favors. On the other hand, whole foods packed with skin-loving vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin C can make a huge difference!
Dehydration
Even mild dehydration can lead to health complications, and skin issues are one of them.
Keeping your skin hydrated is key to maintaining healthy, supple, firm-looking skin. Your skin needs water to maintain its fullness, not to mention dehydration may lead to breakouts because dehydrated skin will try to produce more oil to compensate for the dryness, and more oil often means a higher chance of breaking out as dirt and oil clog pores.
Drink plenty of water, and make sure to include a truly hydrating moisturizer in your morning routine to give even dry skin a boost.
Poor Sleep
Sleep is crucial. You can't expect glowing skin when your body is working hard fighting off
exhaustion — it's called beauty rest for a reason!
We know life can get hectic, and sometimes your much-needed hours of rest can seem less and less important. Whether you're a busy student, big boss, mother, or all three, your sleep should always be a top priority.
Here are some easy strategies to try to get a better night's sleep:
- Stick to a sleep schedule — even sticking to a consistent bedtime window can help
- Create a peaceful, sleep-promoting environment — dim the lights and keep the room cool
- Limit daytime naps and caffeine — no caffeine after 2 p.m. is a good place to start
- Exercise during the day, even if it’s just a walk during lunch
- Try to reduce stress — mindfulness, yoga, and journaling can help
- Prioritize me-time — give yourself 30 minutes to unwind before bed
Try not to get frustrated if you're sleep-deprived often; it should just take a few simple fixes to get better sleep. Whether you're struggling to get a proper night's sleep or your work schedule is causing you to work late into the night, we know it can get tough.
It starts with prioritizing yourself above anyone else. Even if work is hectic, give yourself a couple of days a week where the laptop stays in the office while you draw yourself a proper bath — everyone can appreciate an at-home spa night.
Make it complete by finishing up with an extra-pampering nighttime skincare routine that pulls all of the stops like exfoliation and masking — remember, you should have a basic evening skincare routine otherwise even when you’re not pampering, too!
How Do I Get Healthier Skin?
Achieving perfectly healthy skin can seem daunting, but the truth is that having a few pimples or blemishes doesn't classify your skin as “unhealthy.”
Everyone's skin is different and can change by the slightest change in hormones levels, environment, or stress levels. Essentially, if you've noticed an extra pimple or two, don't just assume the health of your skin is in question.
Here’s what healthy skin will look like on the regular.
Signs of Healthy Skin
- Your skin is hydrated: Just as dehydration can cause dry, irritable skin, if you're drinking plenty of water, your skin is getting the proper hydration it needs to thrive.
- Your skin is protected: It's no secret that proper sun protection is one of the top ways to keep your skin healthy. If you're regularly applying a form of sunscreen daily with at least 30 SPF, you’re already a step above an unfortunately large population of people.
- Your skin feels soft, firm, and hydrated when all the product comes off: Once your skin is makeup and product-free, take a second to feel your skin’s texture. If your skin has a smooth texture that’s not too oily and not too dry, that's a great sign. You want your skin to feel like skin — no patchy sections, bumps, dryness, oil pockets.
Ways To Up Your Skin’s Health
Whether your skin already feels good or you're looking for ways to get unhealthy skin feeling more rejuvenated, here are two musts to get that nourished complexion:
- Stick to a routine: Sticking to a solid morning and nighttime skincare routine is a great way to get your skin on the right track. Some products are unique to the time of day, but you’ll find that a lot of our products here at Nourishing Biologicals are best used twice per day, once in your morning routine and once in your evening routine. The important part is consistency — whatever you decide to include in your routine should be what you use every morning and every night, with minimal variation throughout the week.
- Use natural products: If you ask us, we’re strong believers that it’s best to stick to all-natural, sustainable products. At Nourishing Biologicals, we take pride in the simplicity of our products ingredients list — sometimes, with skincare, less is more. That said, less doesn’t have to mean weaker. We use clinically-backed ingredients like Retinyl Acetate and Sea Kelp to promote youthful clarity.
Glowing Skin Awaits
Many people believe that skincare is ultimately about what products you use, and while it is a big part, it's not the only factor.
If you’re regularly consuming unhealthy foods or drinks, trying to deal with overwhelming stress, or fall victim to a lack of sleep more often than not, chances are your skin will show that. Don’t even get us started on too much sun exposure, smoking, or skin conditions that aren’t getting taken care of.
For the sake of your skin, and more importantly, for the sake of you and your wellness, make some time to include more intentional self-care in parts of your daily routine, from your skincare in the morning, to your vitamin-packed breakfast, to the water you refill at lunch, to the skincare routine that’s part of your evening self-care plan.
Sources:
Aging skin: histology, physiology, and pathology | PubMed
Skin anti-aging strategies | PMC
Sleep Quality: How to Determine if You're Getting Poor Sleep | Sleep Foundation
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