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There’s a Radiant Beauty in Everyone Trying to Get Out!

October 16, 2011

As a massage therapist I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to find out that skin health is really important to me.

Growing up suffering from terrible acne gave me a mild obsession and unfortunately at times I can still be quite prone to spots and blemishes.

Our skin is often a barometer of how we are functioning on the inside; stress, illness and poor digestion can all have an effect on our radiance. So to get that healthy glow it’s important to look after yourself inside and out.

Here’s some amazing things you might not know about your skin!

As well as keeping everything inside you:

• It’s classified as a body Organ and it’s the biggest one you have!

• It has a surface area of around 2 square meters

• It accounts for nearly 16% of your body weight!

• It’s a tough barrier to infection

• It has an important role in regulating your body temperature

• It’s a porous membrane with the ability to absorb things straight into the blood stream.

• It’s a major elimination organ; approximately a third of the body’s toxins and waste products are excreted through perspiration.

• It very cleverly takes the sun’s UV rays and manufactures Vitamin D, which, among other things, is great for the immune system and promotes healthy and strong teeth, bones and nails.

• Skin is constantly renewing and regenerating itself. You shed your entire body and have a lovely new one approximately every 30 days!

Keeping your skin happy and healthy!

Choose what you wash with carefully!

Because the skin can easily absorb products into the blood stream choose wisely when picking your soaps and cleansers.

So many things have chemicals and manufactured un-natural additives. Once absorbed the body then has to waste valuable time and energy trying to excrete them back out again.

Check out the ingredients list on the back of pots and bottles, it’s worth bearing in mind that the FDA stipulates Latin and scientific names must be used when labeling up products. So at first glance you may think that Salix Nigra sounds like it came from a laboratory when in actual fact it’s the term for willow bark, a great natural skin exfoliate.

Here are some synthetics that you shouldn’t find on the ingredients list of your natural product:

• Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate),

• Parabens (Methyl-, Propyl-, Ethyl-, Butyl-),

• Petrochemicals (petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin),

• Chemical Sunscreens (Oxybenzone/Avobenzone) and Phthalates.

Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating regularly isn’t just about removing dead skin cells the health benefits go much further. Stimulating blood and lymph flow through regular exfoliation helps the body excrete toxins and waste products that could otherwise cause ill health and definitely hinder your natural beauty shining through.

So firstly what is Lymph?

It’s often referred to as the body’s own sewage system!

The lymphatic system runs throughout the whole body transporting a watery clear fluid called Lymph.

This fluid distributes immune cells and drains fluid and waste materials from cells and tissues, processing it and then returning the fluid to the blood stream.

The tubes that carry Lymph around flow into stations known as Lymph Nodes. Here the Lymph is processed; bacteria and waste products are broken down and destroyed leaving clear fluid ready to return to the blood stream.

Unlike the blood/circulatory system the lymph system doesn’t have a pump like the heart to keep it moving round the body. Instead it relies on the contraction of muscles as we move to squeeze the lymph around the body.

This is why when people become immobile you often see them develop swollen ankles and feet as the lymph collects and is unable to move up the legs.

So to encourage the flow of Lymph around the body encourages the destruction of bacteria and waste products and helps to keep the immune system and our skin healthy.

So here are some of the benefits of exfoliation:

• Enhances blood flow to the skin's surface bringing with it waste products ready to be excreted.

• Stimulates the lymphatic, nervous, circulatory and glandular systems.

• Removes dead skin cells, this opens pores allowing the skin to breathe, perspire and easily excrete wastes

• Stimulates the oil glands bringing more of your own natural moisturiser to the surface of the skin

• Increases skin tone

• It makes you feel invigorated both physically and mentally

Ways to Exfoliate

• Body Brushing

1. Using a natural fiber body brush, which you can usually locate at most chemists and beauty stores, start at your feet and work in small circular motions up your legs towards your heart

2. Move to your hands and work up your arms towards your heart

3. Work your tummy and chest but this time towards your armpits

4. Cover all the areas of your body that you can reach.

Its great to do just before you get into the shower so you wash away all the dead skin cells before moisturizing.

• Make Your Own Body Scrub

Here’s a simple recipe to try!

Sea Salt Scrub

8 tablespoons sea salt

6 teaspoons grated ginger

2 finely grated lime peel

12 slices of cucumber

30 ml of almond oil

Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor.

Use before a shower and work in small circular motions as described above.

• Calamus Powder

Here’s one of my favorites!

Calamus powder has been used in Indian medicine for many thousands of years. It is said to be rejuvenating, revitalizing and purifying for the brain and nervous system, clearing toxins and obstructions. Its topical application encourages blood flow and brings heat to the surface of the skin.

Because this herb has an effect internally it’s important to check with a suitably qualified person that it’s safe to use and will not interact with any medications that you currently take.

It’s also not advised to use during pregnancy.

Application

Firstly apply some oil to the body always working in upwards strokes towards the heart.

Then add just a small sprinkling of powder starting at the feet and working your way up the body.

Use firm upward strokes and the powder will dissolve and be absorbed into the skin and blood stream.

I first discovered this herb through my practice of Ayurvedic Yoga Massage and now use it regularly as part of my exfoliation routine.

Moisturise Regularly

Forget about using expensive moisturizes jam-packed full of additives and chemicals and try switching to natural, organic, unrefined oils. My favorites include Sesame, Coconut, Avocado, Olive and Almond.

Here are some reasons why they’re so good for you:

• Sesame Oil - used for thousand of years in the Ayurvedic Health System. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Usually the best suited oil for all skin types.

It not only keeps the skin nourished and the hair luxurious but once absorbed it also helps to strengthen the bones and joints.

• Coconut Oil – rich in vitamin E, K and the mineral Iron. Also a source of two anti microbial agents called Capric Acid and Lauric Acid which can be beneficial in the treatment of Spots and Blemishes.

• Avocado Oil - rich in lecithin, proteins and vitamins A, B, D, E. This oil is widely used in anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-wrinkle treatments. It is the anti-oxidant property of the oil that helps to reduce the signs of aging.

• Olive Oil - rich in vitamin A, B, C, D and E, making it effective in preventing wrinkles, dry skin and other signs of ageing. The vitamins and iron present in the oil improves the overall appearance of the skin and make it smooth, glowing and supple. Try adding a few drops to your bath water to get some extra shine!

• Almond Oil - a rich source of Vitamin E, which helps to keep skin looking young and youthful.

• Just a few drops go a long way so it works out much cheaper and every time you apply it you can happily tell yourself you’re doing something really healthy!

Digestion

It’s just not possible to have a great complexion without having an effective digestive system. If toxins and waste products are not cleared through a regular and functioning bowel then they show up in your skin instead. Eating a healthy, balanced diet full of nutrients, fiber and plenty of water helps flush the waste products straight through.

Sleep

And finally don’t forget your beauty sleep! Get 8 hours of restful sleep per night and avoid dark circles under your eyes, puffiness, pale and wrinkly skin.

Sleep is the time when our bodies repair and replace damaged and worn out old cells. Happy cells on the inside will be reflected in happy cells on the outside!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and learnt some useful tips. May your radiance shine forth!

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