Advice to my Younger Self

When it comes to skincare, prevention is always better than "the cure." There are some things I did really in my younger years to prevent skin aging, and some I did not do very well at all (ahem, sunscreen...) But If I could go back in time and give myself some skincare advice, here is what it would have been....

• Create the habit of cutting out sugar – Sugar leads to glycation, the breakdown of collagen, and acne breakouts. Refined sugars are essentially toxins that create more inflammation in the body. Too much refined sugar in the diet prevents the body from absorbing and using important minerals you would get from healthier foods like proteins, veggies and healthy fats. This starts to show on our skin as wrinkles, blemishes, pigmentation, puffy skin, and redness. 

• Start oil cleansing – Oil cleansing in your early life will prevent fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It regulates sebum production so that over time your oil glands won’t overproduce oil and cause blemishes that could lead to scarring. It’s also a great self-care habit to get into. I love massaging our Cleansing Beauty Oil on my face for 2-3 minutes every night. 

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - Keeping your body AND skin hydrated is key for having plump and smooth skin. Dehydrated skin accentuates fine lines, wrinkling, and loose skin. Excessive dry skin is a sign of a weakened skin microbiome which, if left untreated for a prolonged amount of time, can lead to a faster onset of skin aging. Collagen needs certain minerals and amino acids to stay healthy, but the most important thing you could be feeding your collagen is water. Aim to get at least 2-3L a day and if you need help absorbing your water better, try adding electrolytes or minerals to your water. Drinking lots of water helps flush out toxins from your body, promoting good overall health for your gut and skin. 

• Wear SPF when the sun is out: This is common knowledge at this point but it bears repeating. Overexposure to UV rays leads to accelerated fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Regular application of SPF will protect your skin barrier from sun damage. I personally always wear a mineral SPF between 9am and 5pm when the sun can cause the most damage. I don't wear SPF before 9am or after 5pm because I like to get some vitamin D but during that prime window, I am layered up! Pro-tip: layer an antioxidant serum like Vitamin C under your SPF for an added layer of protection! I love using our Vitamin Sea Serum with our Sol Veil SPF 25. For even more antioxidant protection, try using Herbal Face Food Serum as a base layer underneath both of those; I used those 3 products all summer and my pigmentation never emerged! (use code BEAUTYSHAMANS for 20% off the HFF serum) 

• Take care of your neck: I recommend stretching and massaging the neck daily and doing periodic lymphatic drainage when you’re young. Tech neck is an unavoidable issue these days. It shortens the fascia and muscles of the neck which leads to poor posture, sagging jowls, a double chin, etc. It also leads to facial puffiness and acne due to stagnant lymph flow. If you need some ideas or tutorials on how to do this, I have a few classes dedicated to this area in the Skin Within Studio. 

• Massage your face - As we get older, there are more things to stress about (sorry, but it’s true!) and our face holds a lot of that tension in place. Massaging your face helps release that tension and promotes circulation which increases collagen production and cell growth. Get into a habit of lightly massaging your face regularly while you’re young to prevent deep wrinkles and facial tension. More tutorials can be found here! 

• Stop eating at least 3 hours before bed - Not only is this good for your digestion, but it will also be good for your skin. Sleep is essential for our bodies to rest and recover. However, when you eat right before bed your liver, stomach, and entire digestive tract are forced to stay awake and activated while you sleep in order to process what you just ate. This inhibits your gut's natural recovery process which can lead to a build up of toxins that become stagnant in the body triggering inflammation, puffiness, acne, and collagen breakdown. 

• Stay educated - Read as much as you can about health, wellness, nutrition and skincare. At the very least, follow experts in these fields on social media and start integrating their wisdom into your life early on. You’ll be amazed at the habits you build just by exposing yourself to sound wellness information. Some of my favorite books are listed here.