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Many people often want to know the secret to healthy, glowing skin. You may be surprised to know that it’s not necessarily about the lotions and potions that you apply to your skin. It’s actually more of an inside job! Yes, beauty really does start from within. Studies have reported that gut health plays a crucial role in skin health and the chances are, if you have an unhealthy digestive system, this is likely to present itself in your skin. Cue spots, redness, uneven skin and a lot less sparkle.

Even if there are no obvious digestive issues in somebody suffering with skin issues, supporting gut health will always send you towards clearer, more glowing skin. 21st-century living has brought on changes in our food habits and stress levels, which has ultimately caused a dramatic decline in our gut function. Foods high in sugar and excessive consumption of alcohol can cause a feeding frenzy for bad bacteria within our digestive tract, meaning that the ratio of bad bacteria to health-promoting good bacteria is out of balance. This can cause a whole host of inflammatory health issues, including those dreaded skin breakouts!

We’ve compiled some essential lifestyle tips for you to focus on this month in order to get youthful, glowing skin, just in time for summer!

Ditch The Sugar!
First things first… say goodbye to sugary foods! Processed foods such as cakes, sweets and biscuits are laden with sugar, which is one of the biggest contributors to ill health. Sugar is a highly inflammatory carbohydrate that can contribute to bacterial overgrowth in the gut, causing digestive distress as well as weakening our immune systems. High sugar diets have been linked with a variety of dermatological issues, so if you are looking to calm down any skin irritation, reducing your sugar intake is a key piece to the puzzle. Remember: don’t forget the hidden sugars; these can be found in condiments, salad dressings, and pre-packaged sauces. Become an ingredients snob. It’s the key to success!

Monitor Your Stress
Monitoring your stress levels is absolutely crucial when it comes to reducing inflammation within the gut. Studies have linked stress with intestinal permeability, which is another term for a leaky gut. Doing too much of anything is bad, and it is important to recognise that when we are pushing ourselves too much, there are going to be consequences, both internally and externally (i.e. in our skin and our gut). Becoming mindful of our stress levels is increasingly important these days so that we can discover ways to achieve peace during our hectic lives. Try meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and learn to be okay with saying ‘no’.  It’s crucially important that we don’t take on more than we can handle. Getting a good night’s sleep is also a good idea since our bodies use that time to rest, recover and recharge our cells within.

Say Hello To Probiotics!
Start introducing natural probiotics such as coconut milk kefir, fermented cabbage juice and sauerkraut into your daily regime. These are all probiotic-rich foods, which feed the good bacteria within your colon. Taking some form of gut-supporting probiotics (either in supplement form or food form) is an important aspect of achieving gastrointestinal balance. We absolutely swear by Symprove if you’re looking for a high-quality supplement that will totally transform your gut and your skin. It is also a good idea to start cooking your very own bone broths at home. As well as being rich in nutrients, bone broths are a fantastic source of glutamine, an amino acid that is excellent for healing and sealing a leaky gut.

Boost your skin with a supplement
We’re all for getting as many nutrients as possible from food, but equally, sometimes supplementation can give your wellbeing and complexion the boost they need. This is particularly useful if you have allergies or find your diet is lacking in specific vitamins and minerals. There are a few supplements we reach for when our skin is in need of a pick me up before a holiday and they are a great way to prepare for your well-deserved vacay. Bridging the gap between skin supplement and probiotics is The Beauty Chef. They believe beauty begins in the belly and their natural range of antioxidant-rich powder and liquid supplements are perfectly designed to supercharge your skin whilst looking after your gut. A favourite of ours is Glow. As the name would suggest, it’s amazing for bringing out your best skin and is particularly suitable for those suffering from acne and rosacea. Another great supplement we reach for, particularly before a trip to sunnier climes, is Higher Nature’s Aeterna Gold Astapure Timeless Beauty. Each capsule packs a powerful punch against free radicals because it contains pure Astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid that helps to protect plants from UV and free radical damage.

If you can take on these simple tips and implement them into your daily routine, your body will thank you from the inside out, and your skin will sure enough give off that glow that you have long been looking for!


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