Let's face it; we all want to have skin that is healthy, bright, youthful, and glowing. The desire for beautiful skin has driven many of us to spend a lot of time and money on countless washes, serums, treatments, and cover-ups. Unfortunately, this type of effort never quite seems to pay off for consistently healthy and beautiful skin. It turns out that there really isn't a magical cream out there that will make all of your skin dreams come true. Instead, healthy, glowing skin is achieved through nourishing yourself far below the surface.

It's time to stop focusing solely on our outer layers and, instead, apply the yogic approach of directing conscious kindness to our entire bodies, starting from within. Here is how to get that lovely, yogi, healthy glow.

 

Have a Healthy Diet
The foods that we eat don't just keep us nourished on the inside, but feed our skin as well. According to Ayurveda, the skin is made up of seven distinct layers. Each has its own function that is designed to support the layers above (including the outermost layer that serves as a protective barrier from the environment). Because these layers are set below the surface, their condition is directly impacted by diet, so it's important to keep each layer healthy and balanced.

To do so, it's best to stick to an anti-inflammatory eating plan by avoiding greasy, fried food, alcohol, processed foods, and processed sugar. Raw, green vegetables, like cucumber and celery, are skin saviors. The same goes for mildly bitter greens, such as kale, as well as naturally sweet fruits. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a diet that incorporates healthy fat, such as that in avocados and ghee, and eat foods that are rich in B12. Another little trick? Take a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning. It detoxes the skin and rebalances your body's pH levels. Last, but certainly not least, make sure to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is key and everything from your mind to your skin will thank you for doing so.

 

Become an Herb Nerd
Herbs and botanicals are great for promoting skin health. Some skin-friendly herbs include rose petal and hibiscus flower, specifically for their cooling and soothing properties. Herbs, such as cardamom seed, nettle, mullein leaf, and cinnamon bark, can all help you get that healthy glow from the inside-out as well. You can utilize the herbs on their own or you can combine them. Steeping them in tea is a great way to incorporate them into your daily life.

 

Go Au Naturale When It Comes to Your Products
Your skin is the largest organ that you have and your body absorbs everything that you put onto your skin. Choosing products that are good quality, organic, and full of conscious ingredients is important for your overall health as well as the health of your skin.

 

So many of the products that are on the market contain chemicals that are harmful to your skin, general health, and the environment. When it comes to picking products, choose those that are natural (without any added chemicals). Do this by taking a look at the labels on the products that you buy. If you can't recognize or pronounce the ingredients, that's an indicator that you should avoid that product.

 

Luckily, there are many products today that are 100% natural, including makeup, face cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens. A great choice for super soft, healthy, and happy skin is the 100% natural, hexon-free shea butter. Lathering some on after a detoxifying epsom salt bath will have you basking in skin heaven.

Use Natural Oils

For those who have spent their lives trying to combat oily skin, this may seem counterproductive. However, applying natural oils to your skin can actually work miracles. They are full of vitamins and are, therefore, nourishing, soothing, and revitalizing. An oil that has proven itself to be incredibly effective is extra virgin, organic, and unrefined coconut oil, which can be used as a daily moisturizer and even protection from the sun. Some other miracle-workers are argan oil, vitamin e oil, and avocado oil. A really nice exercise that you can use to incorporate oils is into your routine is by first dry-brushing before a shower and then applying organic coconut oil after the shower. Enjoy the soothing benefits!

 

Say Yes to Yoga

One of the worst things for your skin is stress. Some of the havoc it causes includes breakouts and amplifying the rate of aging. In fact, emotional imbalance and upheavals that you may experience are expressed directly through your skin itself, which leads to this fact: less stress = better skin. Studies have even shown that happy people look younger and feel better. Yoga is recognized for its calming effects and ability to still the mind, create a sense of calm, and release endorphins.

 

On a more physical level, flowing through yoga poses gets your blood and oxygen flowing, which makes your skin glow. So much of our modern lives is spent in an often sedentary state. Therefore, the movement that yoga offers is very beneficial to not only your skin, but your wellness in general.

 

Some specific poses that promote healthy and beautiful skin are down dog, legs up the wall, uttanasana, all inversions (headstand is a great one), and twists. Each of these increases blood circulation, thus promoting clear and wrinkle-free skin.

 

What are some of your go-to skin solutions? Feel free to share them in the comments below!