When the average person thinks about a proper skincare routine, face washes, facial masks, exfoliating cleansers, natural beauty products, and all these sorts of exterior product applications come to mind.
However, it's important to take a two-sided approach to your skin health, which means working on your complexion from the inside out, then from the outside in.
Focusing On Our Daily Habits
Our daily habits add up to a lot down the road. Eating poorly can affect our health in numerous ways, causing diabetes, heart failure, GI problems, and, yes, acne, blemishes, and poor complexion.
As we age, our bodies are less regenerative. For instance, studies show that after the age 18, the human body produces 1% less collagen each year.
Since our bodies start having a little more trouble with biological processes as we advance in age, it's important to help out in the ways that we can in order to improve ourselves and stay... happy.
Foods That Are Hazardous to Your Skin Health
There are many factors that can cause acne which include:
- Keratin and sebum production
- Acne-causing bacteria
- Hormones
- Blocked pores
- Inflammation
Some people in the scientific community continue to debate about the diet's role in the development of acne, but what scientists don't debate any longer is the fact that we are what we eat. Diet has an immense impact in our physical health, mental health, so why not skin health as well?
Low or No Refined Carbs
Consuming refined carbohydrates will raise your insulin levels, which has a profound effect on your complexion. Higher levels of insulin cause the body to produce androgen hormones, which are quite active and increase insulin-like growth factor 1, which contributes to acne by making skin cells grow at a more rapid pace, boosting sebum production in the process.
Dairy is Scary For Your Skin
Dairy products like milk will also increase insulin levels. Cow’s milk contains amino acids, which stimulate IGF-1 production in the same way that refined carbohydrates do.
Stay Away From Whey Protein
Whey protein might be rich in... you guessed it... protein! However, whey protein is also a rich source of the amino acids leucine and glutamine. Leucine and glutamine run havoc on your complexion by making your skin cells grow and divide faster, which has been shown to contribute to the formation of acne.
Use a veggie-based protein powder to supplement your diet, preferably one that also has collagen, which will help boost your skin elasticity, promote joint health, not to mention help your skin retain proper hydration levels.
Resveratrol will help provide a protective layer for the skin and rebuff environmental impact as well. It's a great one-two punch for your complexion when paired with a healthy diet that consists mainly of clean, whole foods.
Gin Amber Beauty Pro Skincare Tips
If you'd like to know more about the foods that you should focus on, we wrote a blog about that, too!
As you continue to fine tune your diet to get the best results for your body and your complexion, let us know what is working for you (and also what not is working). Thank you for letting us be a part of your skincare and beauty journey, loves!