Ease uncomfortable symptoms naturally
Over the years, people have contacted me seeking advice not only for their digestive and gut health issues, but also for other aspects of their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. I am often asked for ways to manage skin conditions, and it is at these times that I notice how invaluable it is to speak to someone who understands the challenges that living with a given condition brings. With this in mind, I would like to share some of my recommendations for those who are looking for natural remedies and strategies that can help bring balance and relief to challenging and debilitating skin conditions, as well as promote the overall health of the skin.
I am often asked whether supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids like our Omega-3 fish oil capsules can help with skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. The answer is yes! Following a healthy diet high in nutrient-dense foods plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin, but if you are not eating adequate amounts of the right nutrients in your daily diet, then supplementing should be a priority.
Where do you start? The supplement market is well and truly saturated, and you can easily end up throwing far too much money at the problem. Let me share my ‘must-have’ choices when it comes to addressing your skin’s health needs.
The go-to supplements for your skin
Omega-3 – there’s not much that omega-3-rich fish oil can’t do. Omega-3s have been shown to benefit health in a number of ways, such as by boosting heart health (read the research) and easing joint pain (click here for more details).
Omega-3 fats also play an important role in skin function, and inadequate intake of them can negatively affect your skin and even cause skin diseases. You can read more in this fascinating review, which discusses the skin structure, ageing manifestations, as well as how nutrition is closely associated with skin health and is required for all biological processes of skin from youth to ageing.
Our Omega-3 supplements can benefit those with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and skin ulcers. Omega-3 supplements may also help protect against skin cancers.
Probiotics – better known as a support system for your gut, they are sometimes overlooked as an important supplement for healthy skin. If your gut health is compromised, you may have dysbiosis – an imbalance in the community of microbes that lives in your gut – which can lead to significant skin issues. In fact, dysbiosis is linked to conditions that affect the skin, such as acne and rosacea.
Probiotic supplements, such as our Live Bacteria capsules, may help restore a healthy gut bacteria balance and support skin conditions. However, balancing your gut is not as simple as popping a probiotic every day. Your diet, lifestyle, sleep, and stress levels are just some of the many factors that influence your gut health.
Vitamin C – is necessary for healthy skin, crucial for collagen production and helping to protect the skin from UV rays. Some findings suggest that vitamin C supplements may improve the appearance of wrinkles and dryness, when taken alongside other nutrients, such as collagen and zinc.
I always find that when I increase my vitamin C dose (I take a gentle form of vitamin C powder that contains magnesium, which means I can take large doses if I need to), my skin improves. It looks brighter, plumper, with fewer wrinkles. It really is an amazing vitamin and for people who have type O blood like me, an important one.
Many vitamin C supplements offer benefits for the immune system and cardiovascular health, plus, they’re a good idea for people who tend to get less-than-adequate amounts of vitamin C in their diets, such as older adults.
Collagen – can benefit skin health by promoting elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. As we age, natural collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and dryness. Supplementing with a collagen powder may help replenish collagen levels, supporting skin structure, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and improving moisture retention, giving the skin a more youthful and radiant appearance. We like the powders made by Hunter and Gather – just stir a tablespoon into hot or cold drinks, add to yoghurt, smoothies, or baking recipes.
Are you using the right sunscreen?
Being out in the sun is very important for our overall health and wellbeing, but wearing sunscreen is a must for healthy skin when spending time outdoors – it helps your skin stay youthful-looking for longer! By protecting you from the harmful rays of the sun, sunscreen prevents your skin from developing early wrinkles and fine lines.
Studies have also found that people under the age of 55 who wore sunscreen daily had 24% less skin ageing compared to people who only wore sunscreen occasionally.
When you wear sunscreen on a daily basis, you lower your risk of developing different types of skin cancers, especially melanoma. Melanoma begins in your skin cells and controls the pigmentation of your skin. It can also extend from the surface to deeper layers of your skin.
Perhaps you have applied sunscreen and immediately developed a reaction to the product. Not all sunscreens are created equal – many of them contain a lot of harsh chemicals, which is particularly troublesome if you have sensitive skin or struggle with eczema or other dermatological conditions.
We recommend choosing a safe, effective sunscreen made with non-nano zinc oxide. I use a non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen as well as a tint with a 50 SPF. I’m a bit ‘belt and braces’ when it comes to my face as I also use a Sun Zapper Zinc Stick on my nose and cheekbones.
Zinc oxide is a mineral that has a long history of being used in sun protection products. That’s because it is incredibly effective in protecting you from both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is one of the main active ingredients in mineral sunscreens; it can also be found in lots of other skincare products. This mineral has been used to treat multiple skin conditions, including eczema, acne, and even burn wounds. It supports healing by soothing, softening, and adding moisture to the skin. The fact that zinc oxide can be found in so many skincare products goes to show just how effective it is in helping you care for your skin! Ideally, choose a ‘non-nano’ sunscreen, as when you apply sunscreen with nano zinc oxide, the super-small particles can penetrate your skin cells and end up in your bloodstream (and even in your lungs).
In addition, if you’re planning to enjoy a day at the beach, the coral reefs can also ingest these tiny nanoparticles when the sunscreen washes off in the ocean. Studies are still ongoing about the full dangers that nanoparticles can have on our skin and the environment. But in the meantime, we think it’s important to stay safe, which is why we prefer non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens.
If you haven’t already noticed, I am very interested in skin health! This all began when I was a young girl and my mum bought me this book (now sadly out of print) all about the skin and how to care for it; I loved this book and spent many hours reading it and making the natural face masks from the recipes included in the book. You can see how well loved it was from the way it now looks!
If you would like to know more about our supplements, or want recommendations for skincare products, including the products I use, please get in touch.
