Hi there, ladies!
Today is a very exciting day as it's our first collaborative blog post!
One of the most searched topics amongst my girlfriends is - how to maintain healthy, clear, and beautiful skin.
Joining forces with Carmen Martinez-Vidal, Nutrition Diets Clinic Director and Functional Medicine & Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, we're excited to share her wealth of knowledge on this subject, and we're incredibly grateful for her invaluable contribution to this post.
So, let's embark on this journey to uncover the secrets of a glowing complexion that begins within.
Why is our skin even a topic of discussion?
In today's world, where appearance holds significant importance, it's worth noting that a portion of it isn't entirely superficial or insincere.
Your skin can serve as a genuine mirror reflecting your inner state, encompassing your mental, physical, and even emotional and spiritual well-being if you choose to consider these aspects as well.
Regardless of the clothes or hairstyle you choose, you wear your skin every day and it tells the outside world the story of your unique lived experience over time.
From the scars or tattoos etched into it, to the moles and wrinkles that develop over time, your skin says a lot about your life journey, in the most beautiful way.
However, it is also so much more than just a cosmetic canvas or a protective barrier.
It is a profound indicator of your holistic health.
In the field of functional medicine, it is recognized that the skin reveals external symptoms of underlying health problems.
When addressing skin concerns, it's important to dig beneath the surface and explore your gut health, as it can unveil signs of a weakened immune system, potential food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, elevated stress levels, and exposure to toxins, all of which contribute to compromised skin health and complexion as you age.
The Skin’s Vital Role In Your Health
It is easy to forget that your skin is your body's largest organ, serving crucial functions beyond aesthetics.
It’s layered composition safeguards your body and is indispensable for your overall well-being being, and is responsible for vital tasks such as:
- Insulation (keeping warmth from dissipating) and regulation of body temperature
- Preventing dehydration
- Reducing harmful effects of UV radiation
- Synthesis of vitamin D (e.g. essential for healthy bones)
- Sensation (Nerve endings in the skin carry impulses to the brain that allow us to experience heat, cold, pleasure/touch, pressure, pain, etc.)
- Waste removal and detoxification (SO important nowadays)
- Absorption of topical applications
- Protective barrier
Much like other parts of your body, your skin is susceptible to bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections, food or seasonal allergy reactions, hormonal imbalances, rashes, insect bites, and conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.
Factors Influencing Your Skin Health
Understanding what contributes to 'unhappy' skin is essential for improving your skin’s appearance and health, especially after you enter your forties.
These factors encompass lifestyle choices and dietary habits, including an unhealthy diet, a lack of essential fatty acids, inadequate hydration, hormonal changes, the delicate balance of your skin and gut microbiome, liver toxicity, insufficient sleep, and elevated stress levels.
Environmental factors, such as exposure to chemicals in skincare products and household items, as well as the cumulative effects of excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, smoking, and the natural ageing process, also leave their mark on your skin.
Unmasking the Complexities of Skin Ageing
Skin ageing is a complex process influenced by internal factors such as genetics, cellular metabolism, and hormonal changes, as well as external factors such as radiation, pollution, chemicals, and toxins.
Over time, these elements collectively lead to structural and physiological changes in the layers of your skin.
The result is a visible tapestry of age-related alterations, encompassing wrinkles, changes in skin texture, pigmentation irregularities, and your skin generally appearing more dull and dry.
It's the main reason why ladies love the FACE RE-FRESH Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen Sheet Mask as it replenishes your skin with moisture and locks it in for a lasting effect.
The Gut-Skin Microbiome Connection
Did you know that the human microbiome comprises over 100 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, residing inside and on your body?
Remarkably, these microorganisms outnumber your human cells by ten to one!
They function as beneficial colonizers, assisting in digestion, regulating your immune system, protecting against disease-causing bacteria, and producing essential vitamins like B12, thiamine, riboflavin, and Vitamin K, crucial for blood coagulation.
While most of these microbes inhabit your gut, your skin also has its own microbiome. It's essentially a microscopic ecosystem of your skin.
The connection between the two is known as the gut-skin axis, influencing various physiological processes affecting your overall health. This includes immune system regulation, inflammation control, and nutrient absorption – all integral to skin health.
Why Your Gut Flora is Your Skin's Best Friend
Your gut is home to 70% of your immune system and is therefore instrumental not only for your skin but for your overall health too.
The food you consume on a daily basis significantly influences the composition of your gut microbiota, which, in turn, profoundly affects your gut health and the resilience of your immune system.
For instance, a diet high in processed foods, sugars, and saturated fats can trigger inflammation in the gut that can cascade throughout the rest of your body including your skin.
On the other hand, a well-balanced and anti-inflammatory diet that is rich in fiber nurtures beneficial bacteria in your gut flora, improving intestinal barrier function, enhancing immune tolerance, and promoting a healthy gut microbiome.
It ensures that your skin receives vital antioxidants, vitamins, polyphenols, and flavonoids, reducing collagen degradation by limiting the concentration of free radicals in your tissues.
The Role of Collagen, Vitamins, and Probiotics in Gut and Skin Health
Collagen, a fibrous protein that provides strength, structure, and elasticity to your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues, plays a dual role in both your gut and skin health.
Collagen helps maintain the integrity of your gut lining, preventing leakage of harmful substances into your bloodstream, as well as being a major component of your skin’s dermis layer, helping to maintain its firmness.
However, as you age, collagen production starts to decline, impacting your skin's elasticity as well as contributing to thinning hair and hair loss
It's literally the science behind our LashCare+ Eyelash Serum, BrowCare+ Eyebrow Serum & HairCare+ Hair Growth Serum.
Your diet is a key way of naturally supporting collagen production to support your gut barrier and skin health.
Vitamin C which is found in fruits and vegetables, for example, is an antioxidant, essential for collagen synthesis. A surprisingly large number of people in the UK are vitamin and nutrient deficient in their diets and this can cause a number of health problems, including the ‘unhappy’ looking skin we discussed previously, or even worse, chronic skin conditions.
Additionally, probiotics, specifically strains like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which can be acquired through diet (fermented foods, yogurt products) or taken in the form of supplements, have shown remarkable results in improving skin issues and overall gut health.
Numerous studies demonstrate that probiotics support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help manage inflammatory skin conditions.
Holistic Ways To Care For Your Skin
From The Inside
Understanding your skin health often requires diagnostic tests and personalised clinical evaluations to obtain a precise picture of your gut health, immune system health and overall need for essential nutrients and vitamins.
Using functional medicine to implement personalised dietary and lifestyle interventions, paves the way for achieving long-lasting health inside your body, and healthy, smooth, and blemish-free skin on the outside.
Remember, your skin doesn't just reflect your cosmetic choices; it mirrors your inner health!
If you wish to explore this side of a healthy skin and confident you - join our Rumi Community where we host a Confidence Challenge every other month talking EXACTLY as to what to do - only 28 days & completely free of charge. Join our Community here - CLICK!
From The Outside
Your skin is a delicate and protective barrier that deserves the best care possible so be selective about the brands and types of products you use on it.
When choosing skincare products be mindful about your skin type and sensitivity, and look for brands with a proven track record of placing health and scientific research at their core.
At Rumi Cosmetiques, we create products specifically created for the needs of women over 40. The highest quality ingredients are one of our main priorities when it comes to product development.
The composition of our products is science-based and made by the highest-rank professional cosmetic chemists, dermatologists, process engineers, and other specialists of their métier in the beauty niche.
Everything is made for sensitive skin & eyes, hypoallergenic & vegan, being incredibly gentle and kind to your skin.
Products containing beneficial ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid (a natural hydrator that helps retain moisture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles), Vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant that brightens the skin and promotes collagen production), and Vitamin E (helps protect the skin from UV damage) will not only enhance your skin's appearance but also safeguard it from harmful substances.
All these are the main reasons why ladies love the FACE RE-FRESH Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen Sheet Mask as it replenishes your skin with moisture and locks it in for a lasting effect.
Whenever trying new products, always patch test first to make sure they work with your skin and don’t cause adverse reactions.
At Rumi Cosmetiques, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee in case the product doesn't suit your needs or wants. Always make sure to contact us whether you have any questions before or post purchasing!
Conclusion: Your Skin Reflects Your Inner Health
Improving your skin isn't just about looking your best; it's about knowing deep down that you are healthy and well.
Your skin offers insights into your overall well-being, and what you put inside your body matters just as much as what you put on your skin.
True beauty and vitality emanate from feeling good in your own skin and nurturing the harmony between your gut health and the rest of your body.
Get to know the co-author of this blog - Carmen Martinez-Vidal
Carmen Martinez-Vidal ( BSc, mBANT, CNHC, NLP Dip) is a fully qualified and registered Functional Medicine and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, & Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coach who received her degree in Health Science: Nutritional Therapy from The University of Westminster in London, UK.
She also obtained a Diploma in Dietetics and a Dietary Educator Certificate from the Centre for Nutrition Education & Lifestyle Management (CNELM), and is a member of the Institute for Functional Medicine (USA).
Carmen is the founder of Nutrition Diets, an online functional medicine and nutrition clinic specialising in gut health, food allergies, hormonal imbalances, skin conditions, detoxification and autoimmunity.
Visit Nutrition Diets to find out how you can take control of your gut and skin health with functional medicine and personalised nutrition therapy.
