What does your liver think about your skincare routine?
You may be wondering why I’m talking about skincare on a nutrition blog, but taking care of your skin is a vital part of your overall health. Besides being your body’s largest organ, it also acts as the first defense to keep the bad stuff out. Further, what your skin picks up, your liver needs to filter. When you use better skincare products, you provide better support for your whole body.
Note: We often think of skincare in terms of makeup. Let me remind you that our bodies have to process everything we put on or into them. Deodorants, soaps, lotions and creams, perfumes, and make-up all count as skincare and can either help or harm your body. It’s so important to make conscious choices about your skincare.
You may also notice subtle ways that things like stress, certain foods or beverages, or sleep show up on your skin through dryness, breakouts, or other conditions.
Your skin is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to your health, so it’s vital to take care of it. I’ve been on my skincare journey over the past few years, and I’ll share it with you today.
Just a quick disclaimer before we jump in, I am not a dermatologist. This post is about my own skincare experiences and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your skin, I recommend making an appointment with a dermatologist.
Haleh’s skincare philosophy
My general philosophy about skincare and cosmetics is to keep it simple. While some may be able to tolerate more advanced formulas, my skin is on the sensitive side.
While skincare is a crucial way to take care of yourself, it’s also a lovely ritual to add to your day. Even an act as simple as splashing warm water on your face or moisturizing can help you feel grounded and peaceful.
The basis for my skincare
Nutrition is my foundation for healthy skin. For me, glowing skin starts on the inside. That means pieces like a balanced relationship with food, adequate sleep, movement, and proper hydration must be in place before worrying about anything else. Start with simply trying to feel good, reduce stress, check in with your hormones, and nourish your body overall.
Haleh’s DIY skincare
My skincare checklist doesn’t have many familiar brand names on it, and that’s because a few years ago, my breast cancer journey left me with estrogen dominance. On top of that, my dermatologist diagnosed me with stress eczema. I had to be extra careful about what I put on my skin to avoid irritation and side effects.
I turned to products that used pure, simple ingredients.
Homemade salt scrub: My dermatologist suggested I make a salt scrub at home for my specific eczema. I make mine with coconut oil and fine-grain Himalayan salt, which has slightly larger grains than table salt. It would be too rough on the face, but it’s effective on my body and feet. I don't suffer from my eczema anymore, but I kept the salt scrub as part of my routine, and my skin is very happy with it.
Gentle makeup/soap/lotion/deodorant: When I wear makeup, I put numerous hours into understanding the language behind the ingredients that often show up in our skincare products. I asked dermatologists, toxicologists, and biochemists about ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce, and the findings were slightly scary. Many years before this journey, I discovered a database called "Skin Deep,” which helps you decode the unfamiliar ingredients in your favorite products. Armed with my research, I created a unique skincare routine to address my body’s needs. Remember, when looking for your ideal skincare products, be aware that the word “clean” is a beauty marketing buzzword. Putting the word “clean” on a label doesn't mean the product is free of harmful chemicals.
I am happy to share my list of discoveries with you if you are interested, but I encourage you to learn more about taking care of your skin in general, as it's the first line of your immune system.
What’s your skincare routine? What are your favorite sensitive skin products?