5 Beauty Tips for a Youthful Chemical-free Glow

A note from Joy: I asked Elaine, my good friend and fellow holistic nutritionist to blog for me while I'm away on vacation, but it's actually long overdue and I am thrilled she's sharing her tips. Why? She's smart, sassy, healthy and a fine example of how eating healthy equates to beauty created from the inside out. Here's her post, enJOY!

By: Elaine Brisebois of www.ilikerealfood.com

HELLO all you lovely Joyous Health readers. Imagine my delight when Joyous herself asked me to be a guest blogger while she’s off enjoying some well-deserved vay-cay time! I have to admit though, I was even more thrilled (and flattered) when she asked me to share my personal beauty tips for a natural, youthful glow. Yes, I took it upon myself to read between the lines. I think this is a topic that everyone can relate to because I believe everyone wants to look (and feel) their best. So without further adieu, I’ll jump right into my top 5!

1. Hydrate from the inside out. This goes way beyond aiming for 6-8 glasses of water per day. In fact, I stopped counting long ago! My diet consists of lots of hydrating green veggie juices, smoothies, water-rich salads, vegetables and fruits. I try to make hydrating, alkalinizing foods the focal point of my diet, choosing more raw foods and less cooked. Water is my go-to beverage of choice and always the first thing I drink upon rising in the morning. Staying hydrated supports detoxification and helps to keep things moving. Congestion and stagnancy on the inside often manifest as skin distress on the outside.

2. Include Healthy Fats. Your cell membranes are made up of the fats you ingest so be sure to eat the best quality ones. Think fatty-fish like salmon and mackerel (choose wild over farmed), raw nuts and seeds, healthy oils like flax, coconut and EVO, and of course the beloved avocado. I have to say I average at least one whole avocado per day - they are my fave! Avoid fried and damaged fats. Even the best quality ones can wreak havoc if they are rancid. Educate yourself on the best fats to use for cooking.

3. Get Physical. Not simply just to burn calories or fat but to oxygenate the cells, support waste removal, and to increase your life force energy or chi! Physical activity also stimulates the lymphatic system and promotes the release of toxins through the skin (our largest detoxification organ) when we sweat. Fresh air is always better than the enclosed air at the gym so if you have the opportunity to take your workout outdoors a few times a week then great! I have to say that whenever I go for a long walk outside in the fresh air, I can’t help but notice that my skin always looks more refreshed and rejuvenated afterwards.

4. Don’t be a “drugstore” beauty. I think most of us know by now that you can’t buy a miracle cream in a jar. That natural, youthful glow can only radiate from the inside out when we live in clean-celled bodies. It’s still imperative though to have a good, clean skin-care regiment. Use only the best quality non-toxic products and be mindful of what you’re slathering on your skin because it’s going to be absorbed internally. Check out the EWG’s Skin Deep data base if you need some extra help choosing products. I’m not really loyal to any one brand in particular but in the spirit of sharing I love some of the products in the Pure & Simple line and the Shea butter cream from Martina Gebhardt keeps my skin extra supple in those dry winter months.

5. Be a sleeping beauty and Chill out. Skimping on your Zs can have a devastating effect on the health and beauty of your skin. Aim for 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Your body needs this precious time for cellular repair and regeneration. I know when I have too late of a night I always notice the tell-tale signs on my skin the next day. Your body can probably contend with a few late nights if you’re doing everything else right, but if you are constantly skimping on sleep then this is a sure-fire way to accelerate the aging process. Stress also plays a big factor and often shows up in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Take some time to relax, whether it is a yoga class, a walk outside or a guided meditation. Whatever allows you to stay calm, and carry on!

In closing, there a number of factors that can influence the health and look of our skin. I think it’s important to remember though that our faces are like mirrors reflecting the inner state of our bodies. When our bodies are clean on the inside natural beauty will surface. Just don’t be fooled into thinking that topical creams and expensive lotions will ever correct the underlying issues or internal toxicity. AND keep in mind that the health of your organs is always going to be of primary importance. That youthful glow is going to be secondary to a healthy liver!

Here’s to natural radiance!

Elaine

Elaine Brisebois is a Registered Nutritionist with a consulting practice in downtown Toronto. Check out her blog at www.ilikerealfood.com where she shares her love of REAL food, health and wellness.