When something looks wrong on the outside, you can almost always attribute it to something wrong on the inside. Did you know your skin is your largest organ? It detoxifies through sweating, protects you from outside harm and also absorbs nutrients (or toxins).
If you're looking to improve your skin (acne, rash, psoriasis, burning, itching, redness, blotchiness, hives, etc) first start by looking inside. The health of your gut has HUGE implications on your health and ultimately the integrity of your skin. Implementing these steps should result in noticeable changes to your skin in 4 to 8 weeks.
Step 1: Remove offenders. For me, dairy does a great job of wreaking havoc on my skin. Other offenders include refined sugars and grains. Start by completely eliminating these.
Step 2: Add the good stuff. Give your body the gut healing foods it needs. These are traditional foods we used to eat all of the time but are missing today. Bone broth (homemade is ideal, recipe below), fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, kombucha) and cruciferous vegetables both cooked (in coconut oil) and raw. They contain tons of minerals and aid in detoxification (kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, bok choy, turnips, arugula, collards, Swiss chard).
Step 3: Supplement. Probiotics, Vitamin D, Zinc, Fish oil/Omega 3/Cod Liver oil and Vitamin A are all great supplements for your skin. Your dosage will vary a bit based on your individual situation so discuss this with a healthcare provider you trust. As always, buy quality supplements! Spend the money on the good stuff or don't buy them at all. Supplements are not regulated so the cheaper they are, the more fillers they use.
Step 4: Clean up your routine! Slathering your skin in chemicals will probably not fix your skin issues. Your skin issues are a sign that something internal is going on. So, clean up your skin routine. Wash with quality soap (Dr. Bronner is a great choice). Moisturize with coconut or castor oil. Tone with apple cider vinegar. Spot treat with tea tree oil. As a general rule, if you can't eat it, you probably shouldn't put it on your skin. My favorites are Primally Pure, 100% Pure and Beauty Counter.
It's true what they say, beauty starts from within. Take care of your gut and your skin will follow.
Bone Broth Recipe
In a crock pot, place soup bones (enough to cover bottom) or chicken carcass.
Add ¼ c cider vinegar and 2 T salt.
Fill the rest with water.
Set on low for 1-2 days. Top up with water if too much evaporates.
Drink like coffee (it’s a great energy boost in the morning) or add it to sautéed vegetables for a quick soup.