What Your Skin Issues Mean for Your Overall Well-Being + How To Deal With Them Holistically
Curtis BradshawWellness is about creating balance in treating the mind and body. When there’s an imbalance, it is often revealed on our skin! Our bodies have a vast and intuitive system to communicate when something may be wrong.
Common Causes of Skin Concerns
When you treat only the symptom, you ignore the message your body is trying to send. What’s needed is a holistic approach that focuses on the interactive dynamic between all parts of the body. It’s possible your occasional bloating, dark circles, and breakouts are all related and trying to get your attention. Take a time out and give yourself a breather!
Let’s consider a few common culprits that may be the source of your skin woes.
Stress
Stress is a common human experience in our day-to-day lives. While you may think of it as being solely internal, your body responds to emotional changes that can often manifest outward.
When you feel stressed, you release hormones like cortisol that increase oil gland production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Stress can also impact your immune system, inflaming existing skin conditions like eczema and rosacea.
Harmonize your skincare routine with a relaxing, re-energizing activity like a warm, calming candlelit shower or bath. A morning bath can be a luxurious way to start the day or unwind at night. Breathe in the steam, incorporate a light facial massage to cleanse first, and apply Tru Alchemy’s transformative Mystic Mask to smooth and refresh the skin. Leave on for 15 minutes and use that time to clear your mind and let your stress melt away.
Sleep Deprivation
Redefine sleep as your ultimate self-care ritual. Too often cut short, sleep is the time when the whole body regenerates. And if we don't get enough rest, our skin can't properly repair itself.
An obvious sign you’ve been forgoing sleep is under-eye circles. Typical sleep deficiency can increase signs of intrinsic aging, leaving your skin with more lines and a breakdown of elastic tissue.
Getting enough rest also improves your mood and cognition, as well as your complexion. Just before bed, clear your head of intrusive thoughts by journaling or meditation. Or try a scent ritual—rub lavender or frankincense essential oils on the chest each night to soothe the body and mind. Then, in the morning, wake up tired eyes and reduce common signs of puffiness with Tru Alchemy’s Eye Elixir with caffeine and vitamin C. Beauty sleep isn’t trivial; it’s a cornerstone of holistic care.
Dehydration
Our skin contains 63% water, yet our skin’s relationship to water isn’t just molecular; it’s primordial—hydrate both your parched body and mind.
Proper hydration not only offers a dewier complexion it can also make you more alert and awake. Dehydration causes pressure on the brain and results in headaches, migraines, as well as brain fog. Try ditching the second latte for a cup of water with lemon and feel rejuvenated.
Skin also plays a large role in elimination. When dehydrated, your liver and kidneys are impaired, and toxins can build up, which get slowly released through the skin. Try to drink eight glasses a day. To cleanse away skin impurities, use Tru Alchemy’s gentle but purifying Celestial Cleanser made with kaolin clay. You can also use a humidifier to help the skin retain moisture from the outside.
Allergies
The natural world is cyclical–after winter must come spring. Unfortunately for many of us, this floral awakening brings with it seasonal allergies that manifest as dry, itchy, and irritated skin.
For the allergy-prone, breathing in dust and pollen alerts the immune system to produce histamine. Histamine causes inflammation, which causes a medley of skin problems. For a natural healing option, use a neti pot with warm, distilled water to soothe the inflammation in your nasal passages and reduce puffiness. An air purifier can also be used to reduce the number of indoor allergens.
The importance of moisturizing to protect and maintain the skin is also key. If you experience occasional redness or peeling, give the skin what it needs–extra nourishment and moisture. We suggest you soothe your skin with Tru Alchemy® Quench Crème and let the botanical lipid blend promote the skin’s healthy complexion.
Digestive Issues
The gut microbiome is perhaps the clearest example of the interconnected nature of our biological systems. A healthy microbiome can affect issues as diverse as weight management, cardiovascular health, and even brain function.
The gut-skin axis is the term used to describe the complex relationship between the gut and skin. An imbalance of gut bacteria can trigger skin conditions and cause abdominal discomfort.
To support good bacteria, incorporate oral probiotics into your wellness routine. Or try a food-based approach by adding a few fermented snacks with naturally occurring probiotics to your diet, such as kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and miso.
Final Thoughts
The skin often shows the first sign that something is out of alignment. One thing we can do is slow down, connect and really listen to our bodies.
When we do that, we’ll find they’re often very wise in reminding us of what we truly need!
Maintain a skincare ritual you practice every day that makes you feel uplifted, and stay rested and hydrated. Most importantly, we invite you to receive the wisdom of your body, to show gratitude, and nurture yourself. Just like magic, you’ll find health and happiness will follow.