Why you have to start with diet and hormone balance if you want glowing skin....

Clear skin – driven from the inside out.

The appearance of one’s skin plays an important bearing on self esteem. It is our largest organ and it requires a steady supply of micronutrients to support new cell regeneration.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for unsightly and uncomfortable skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, eczema and rashes. Good skin is a reflection of the body’s inner processes, overall state of health and adequate functioning of both eliminatory organs and hormonal systems. Having clear, plump, bright, healthy skin can also depend on other factors such as stress levels, changes in weather, poor nutrition states, and living environment.

The three primary skin conditions that I am presented with most commonly in clinic are:

Acne: will generally affect the face, upper chest and back. It is most commonly seen in adolescence but can also flare up in women between the ages of 30-50 years. It can be triggered and aggravated by stress, premenstrual tension (hormonal imbalance), certain medications, dairy, wheat, sugar and alcohol. The area of the face that the acne is most present can tell you a lot about the cause. Acne around the chin area can be associated with high androgen (a type of hormone) levels and acne on the forehead and cheeks can be more closely related to poor waste elimination pathways.

Dermatitis: is an inflammation of the skin which is usually triggered by an allergic reaction to a specific allergen. There are numerous types of dermatitis including seborrhoeic dermatitis which affects the scalp primarily and peri-oral dermatitis which is seen around the corners of the mouth.

Eczema: is also an inflammatory condition of the top layer of the skin. It includes dryness and re-occurring skin rashes that are red, hot, itchy, flaky, blistered or bleeding or a combination of these. Those with eczema will usually develop it from birth and it will tend to show up behind the knees, in between the elbows, around the ankles and on the scalp. Eczema from a young age is closely associated with asthma and hayfever.

When supporting skin conditions naturopathically, a number of aspects need to be looked at. These include the function of all eliminatory organs – kidney, liver, lymphatic system and digestive tract. Hormonal imbalances also need to be addressed and regulated and lastly nutritional deficiencies need to be attended to.

A healthy diet is the foundation to improving your skin condition. Below are some simple steps that can be taken to improve skin health through diet.

Increase fibre intake in the form of whole-grains and legumes as these assist with the elimination of toxins and aid in optimal digestive function.

You can also incorporate medicinal foods that support digestive tract function such as aloe vera juice, slippery elm powder, chia seeds and kefir.

Increasing good fats and therefore good levels of Essential Fatty Acids to help smooth and “moisturize” the skin. These types of foods include avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, flaxseed oil, mackerel, trout, salmon, herring, tuna and sardines.

Consuming antioxidant rich foods for collagen repair, protection and accelerated healing. Some examples include raspberries, blueberries, macqui berries, purple carrots, tomatoes, sweet potato, kale, plums and spinach.

Consuming key “skin nutrient” foods:

Vitamin A: halibut, cod, egg yolk, carrots, tomatos, rockmelon, apricots, alfalfa. Vitamin E: wheatgerm, sesame seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds and olives.

Zinc: pumpkin seeds, wheatgerm, oysters, brazil nuts.

There are also a number of other lifestyle factors that come into play that can affect your skin:

Water intake: consuming adequate water and staying hydrated is crucial to any skin condition. Your skin is reliant on good hydration. It is also important to remove any dehydrating drinks from the diet such as soft drinks, coffee, energy drinks, tea and alcohol. Any form of caffeine will reduce hydration levels and also deplete the body of a range of nutrients (in particular Vitamin C).

Get adequate sunlight on your skin: This is not to say go out and get burnt to a crisp. However, do go outside before 10am or after 3pm and get some Vitamin D onto the skin – links have now been found between low Vitamin D levels and dermatitis & psoriasis.

Topical skincare products: What you apply topically to your skin is also crucial to your skin condition. Most people will scrub, exfoliate, cleanse with strong and harsh chemical cleansers and devoid their skin of any natural ability to heal. The key to any skin condition is to be gentle. Allow the acid mantle and pH of your skin time to come back into balance. Every time you scrub, exfoliate and cleanse the skin dries out even further and tries to overcompensate by producing more oil, this oil clogs the pores and hair follicles which can then lead to more breakouts. Less is more in this scenario.

Get your lymphatics moving: dry body brushing is a fantastic way to move stagnant lymph in the body which aids in increasing waste elimination. You can also support the lymphatic system by drinking specific herbal teas such as burdock, calendula and echinacea.

If you are struggling with a skin complaint it is best to make a time with a qualified professional to address and investigate all the possible contributing factors. Consultations avaliable at Eyre Naturopathic Clinic Please call 0422 259 754 to make an appointment.

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