Holistic Skincare Routine to Achieve Radiant Skin

You may see the phrase “holistic skincare routine” and picture an array of expensive tinctures, serums, moisturizers, and an endless-step skincare routine to go with it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Having a solid skincare routine is essential for keeping your skin looking its absolute best, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg and it’s actually pretty simple if you take a holistic approach. 

What’s the difference between a holistic approach and a normal one? A holistic approach looks at all the contributing factors towards great skin as a whole (whole-istic), rather than only looking at the products you use. So how can you get started? Read on!

Creating A Holistic Skincare Routine

1. Understanding Your Skin Type

Firstly you need to understand your skin type. Is it oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or combination? This will be key in helping you decide the best products and treatments to use. 

Furthermore, identifying and addressing any skin concerns you have like acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, or dehydration before starting your holistic skincare journey will ensure that the treatments you choose won’t aggravate the issues and make them worse!

2. Lifestyle Adjustments 

Sleep – “Got to get my beauty sleep!” How many times did you hear that growing up? Well, your mum wasn’t just saying that, there’s real truth behind it. Sleep is the time when your whole body goes through a restoration process, so getting your 8 hours in is a fundamental part of a great skincare routine. 

TRY THESE: 10 Bedtime Rituals for Relaxation and Better Sleep

Exercise – Getting regular exercise improves your blood circulation which can help nourish skin cells and keep them vital.

Stress Management – Stress can trigger many different reactions in your body, some of them being in your skin such as psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, acne, and more, so managing your stress levels in ways such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can help ensure your skin stays clear.

Consuming toxins – Smoking and drinking are majorly damaging to the skin! Smoking causes dullness, and premature aging and significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Alcohol dehydrates the skin along with causing inflammation in the skin. 

Hygiene practices – One of the biggest causes of acne is bacteria buildup, so creating good hygiene habits will protect your skin from unnecessary bacteria. Washing your hands regularly and limiting how much you touch your face throughout the day, will stop the transfer of dirt and bacteria that can lead to breakouts. 

Another super important way to keep your skin clean and relatively bacteria-free is to wash your pillowcases and towels regularly. Every time you use them, they become warm and moist which is luxury living for bacteria, so be sure you swap them out regularly to avoid making your skin the bacterial breeding ground. 

3. Hydration

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Hydration is the major key to gorgeous glowing skin, it plumps it up and helps flush those nasty toxins that result in dull skin out of your body. 

Staying hydrated will maintain the elasticity of your skin which keeps it looking youthful and firm, also when you consume enough water, it can contribute to an anti-wrinkle effect, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.

When your skin is dehydrated it can result in less favorable outcomes like flaky dry skin, that feels tight, in addition to your cell regeneration processes not working as they should so cuts and damage to the skin take longer to repair. 

4. Nutrition

The food you’re eating plays a huge part in your skin health – ultimately, whatever you put into your body will show on your skin eventually. Hence, eating the right foods and getting that balance is crucial to your holistic skincare routine. 

A few things that you can add to your diet to give your skin a boost are:

Fish – Fish like salmon and mackerel are full of omega-3 fatty acids that nourish your skin by strengthening the skin barrier, helping your skin retain moisture, supporting skin healing, and providing antioxidant protection.

Nuts & seeds – These are packed with Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium that help reduce inflammation, improve skin texture, and maintain a healthy barrier.

Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for skin cell production and repair, and it also provides natural sun protection.

Berries – blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are known for their antioxidant properties that protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage. They keep that youthful glow and slow down fine lines and wrinkles

Green leafy vegetables – broccoli, spinach, and kale. There’s a reason why they have the name “superfood” and it’s because they contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your overall skin health. They are anti-inflammatory, boost your skin repair, and protect against UV damage. 

5. Skincare Products – Less is More

The problem with most brands and social media these days is that everything is labeled as holistic and natural and most of your favorite influencers are promoting 10+ skincare products at a time, contributing to the overconsumption trend we see, but in reality less is more! 

Creating a glow is about having a good balance across all aspects of your life, you won’t achieve the best results with your skin by not addressing internal factors as well as external ones. 

6. Minimize Your Sun Exposure

I’m sure we all feel that we look healthier with a tan, but I’m sure we’re all also aware of the damaging effects UV light has on our skin. Not only does it age your skin, but the more unprotected sun exposure you have the higher your risk of developing skin cancer! Do your research and invest in a good SPF, not only for your face but your body as well. 

Your Holistic Skincare Routine

Your holistic skincare journey doesn’t just start or focus on one thing – it’s an all-round approach to all aspects of your lifestyle. Creating a harmonious balance among everything that impacts your skin, is what will truly give you the best results. 

Remember any changes in routine will take some time, so be patient! Be consistent and track your progress too, to make sure that your new routine is working for you because not everything works for everyone!