SKIN 101

CARING FOR YOUR SKIN

At SALT OF THE EARTH SKIN, we believe that healthy skin comes from healthy skin care practices. These include using corneotherapeutic skin care at home each day, along with regular treatments. Healthy skin care practices also include some changes to your lifestyle that are highlighted below.

Here are some simple guidelines for caring for your skin type to support your skins journey to health:

  • · Use a cleanser and toner free from alcohols, fragrances and colour. These are known to irritate skin.

    · Extreme temperatures/dry climates of hot and cold can aggravate an impaired skin. Your skin prefers a humid environment.

    · Avoid harsh abrasive exfoliants- we want to keep your skins barrier intact at all times.

    · Avoid skin care products that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (i.e., Glycolic, Salicylic).

    · Avoid Hot, spicy food if they are a known trigger to your skin flushing/redness.

    · Avoid Alcohol or coffee as these will also lead to a flushed, inflamed skin.

    · Minimal Sun exposure and always wear sun protection (i.e., SPF, hat, sunglasses)

    · Avoid artificial atmospheres of low humidity (i.e., air conditioning, artificial heating)

  • · Use a cleanser and toner specific to dry skin to avoid removing much needed skin lipids.

    · Avoid masks that are drying (i.e., clay/drawing masks). You want to keep every last drop of oil in your skin

    · Avoid harsh abrasive exfoliants - we want to keep your skins barrier intact at all times.

    · Avoid skin care products that contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (i.e., Glycolic, Salicylic). These are too hard on any skin type.

    · Use a moisturiser with high levels of essential fatty acids to support skin lipids and replenish from the outside in.

    · Minimal sun exposure and protection at all times (i.e., SPF, hat, sunglasses)

    · Avoid artificial atmospheres of low humidity (i.e., Air conditioning/artificial heating). Your skin prefers a humid environment.

    · Minimal sun exposure and always wear sun protection (i.e., SPF, hat, sunglasses)

  • · Use a cleanser and toner specific to oily skin to help cleanse well without over drying.

    · If acneic, use a cleanser without fragrance or colour as these can irritate and aggravate.

    · Only use masks for oily skin on the oily areas. Not all oil is distributed evenly.

    · Avoid harsh abrasive exfoliants- we want to keep your skins barrier intact at all times.

    · Avoid skin drying agents or products containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (i.e., Glycolic, Salicylic)

    · Minimal sun exposure and always wear sun protection (i.e., SPF, hat, sunglasses)

HOW CAN YOU FURTHER SUPPORT YOUR SKIN?

Quit smoking / vaping

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your skin. Evidence of this is visible in capillaries, redness, dehydration, collagen breakdown, thin skin density, reduced elasticity, pigmentation, puffiness, dryness, sluggish/sallow complexion.

Reduce stress

We all lead such busy lives and unfortunately stress is the number one internal factor that triggers many skin conditions. Our favourite stress busters are: a nice bath, a good book, time outside (with SPF of course!), a catch up with friends… whatever floats your boat! What calms us is unique to everyone, so whichever you choose, we’re happy as long as you relaaaaaxxx!!

Nutritional support

Unfortunately, no matter how healthy your diet is, you can still be lacking nutrients vital to skin health. In this day and age “fresh food” isn’t what it used to be. The earth has a lot of mouths to feed and the need for cold storage and long-life foods has diminished the amounts of nutrients our bodies receive. We recommend supplementation for comprehensive skin support.

Increase light exercise

To improve circulation and assist with the skin’s natural immunity, gentle exercise will stimulate a sluggish lymphatic and circulatory system.

Reduce sugar

Sugar increases inflammation within impairing our skins ability to function well. Sugar also impacts our gut health which is directly linked to skin health. Reducing refined sugar is an important step in your skin’s health journey.

Reduce alcohol

Cutting back on alcohol will help to reduce puffiness, redness and sluggish skin.

Reduce sun exposure

Sunlight/heat exposure causes oxidative stress within the skin. Over time this breaks down collagen and elastin fibers resulting in premature aging and sagging in the skin. It also increases pigmentation concerns by rapid stimulation of the melanocytes. If pigmentation is a concern for you then you need to reduce the amount of sun exposure you get and ALWAYS stay protected. We recommend limiting your sun exposure to times before 10am or after 4pm when the sun is not so hot.

Increase Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) intake

The body does not metabolise EFAs therefore we need to get them from our diet. We recommend eating plenty of omega rich foods (i.e. avocados, linseed etc.) and daily supplementation of omega 3 + 6 to support the skin. EFAs are vital for healthy cell function.

Improve bowel function

Feeling sluggish and suffering from constipation?? This can affect your skin more than you realise. Work to improve this through your diet and if necessary, seek assistance from your GP or health care.