Beauty has a lot to do with how we feel. If you feel strong and fit, that’s great. And if you have a strong, balanced mind-body connection—are positive about life—that shows up as beautiful. It’s about using what we have to its full potential—and that begins with what we eat.
The Skin You Are In
As a nutritionist, busy makeup artist, and hair stylist—sometimes working long days on set—I know how easy it is to get off track. When my skin breaks out, I know it’s time to pay attention. My remedy? Lots of lemon water, no sugar or processed foods, and tons of fresh veggies and leafy greens.
People think that skin is a surface thing, but it’s important to remember it’s the largest organ of our body—and our first line of defense. If you deprive internal organs of the right nutrients and care, it shows on your skin first.
The best ‘anti-aging’ treatment you can do is to take care of yourself from the inside out, and glow from the inside out.
Breathe Deeply
Oxygen is our most vital nutrient. The more deeply you breathe, the more it reaches every cell in your body, and the more carbon dioxide (our metabolic toxic waste) is released. When you are stressed, your breathing is short and shallow, and your body will not get what it needs to function well.
Breathing properly releases tension, helps you to think more clearly and feel better, eases pain, improves circulation, strengthens your immune system, and improves the function of every internal organ and cell regeneration.
Drink Up
Water flushes toxins from our body and carries nutrients and moisture to our cells.
How much you need depends on your gender and activity level. Many people are challenged to drink the classic eight glasses a day, so aim for one large sports bottle’s worth. Don’t like the taste? Check out my flavour-boosters below.
Get Outside
Movement and exercise (especially outside) means more oxygen, improved circulation and detox, and increased endorphins—not to mention rosy cheeks and bright eyes.
And try to spend time on or near water—the ocean, a river, or a stream. You’ll feel calmer.
Eat Whole Foods
A balanced diet of fresh, whole foods with lots of colourful berries and veggies gives you all the fuel in fibre, minerals, and enzymes to keep every cell and organ in your body working to its full potential. Local, organic, and non-GMO is ideal.
Fill your plate: half with vibrant veggies, one quarter with healthy carbs, and one quarter with a protein like legumes, tofu, wild fish, or grass-fed meat.
To target skin elasticity and firmness look for:
- Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, broccoli, red peppers, and Brussels sprouts;
- Hyaluronic acid found in seaweeds like kelp, soy products, sweet potato, avocado, and mango; and
- Marine or bovine sources of collagen (bone broth) or plant-based GLA oil.
Chew the Fat
Inside…healthy fats are an amazing source of fuel and hydration for your body.
Have acne or dull, dry skin? Boost your intake of fresh, raw oils like avocado, cold water fish, raw nuts and seeds. Drizzle cold-pressed oils over your salads and cooked veggies. For supplements, look for omega-6-rich GLAs (gamma-linolenic acid) found in borage or evening primrose oils.
And out…whatever oil is good for you inside, works from the outside, too. Try olive and coconut oils to cleanse and moisturize your skin.
Get Your Beauty Sleep
A full forty winks is hard for many busy people, so try to improve the quality to achieve a deep REM state, to let your body heal.
Take an after-dinner walk, breathe deeply, use a diffuser with a relaxing essential oil like lavender, or try a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Sweet dreams!
Amanda Gangoso is a Natural, Organic Makeup Artist and Holistic Nutritionist based in Vancouver, BC. She believes in taking a holistic approach to beauty and health, inside and out.
amandagangoso.com Instagram: @amandagangoso or @thegreenbeautycollective
Article was published in The Good Life magazine.
