What Really Makes Your Skin Glow?

February 25, 2021By susie brient

Are you tired of seeing pictures of beautiful young girls advertising anti-ageing cosmetics? Me too! Don't get me wrong we all love beauty and I for one really appreciate youth, but when it comes to mature skins and anti-ageing we want models that are 40 plus: Real people and real skin. This is me - I'm 54 years old. I haven't had any cosmetic surgery, botox or fillers. I don't even have facials. The photo isn't enhanced I just got lucky with good lighting. Funnily enough I took this photo sitting in my car waiting for a juice client to arrive.

I truly believe that my skin looks healthy because of my diet and lifestyle which means that you can get more youthful looking skin too!

Here's my opinion on the cosmetic ingredients that actually work and how to get that glow through a healthy diet and lifestyle.

What makes your skin glow?

I get asked this question all the time. You are the sum total of everything you put into your body both good and bad. Your skin is the biggest elimination organ and any bad habits you may have are likely to manifest themselves in the appearance of your skin.

Water is top of my list for a glow - preferably water and more water! I drink 2 litres of good quality filtered water every day, adding fresh lemon juice to a couple of glasses. Without water your skin will look dry and begin to sag, eight glasses a day will plump it up.

Water cleanses the system of toxins. The liver is responsible for the flushing of toxins. Water aids the liver with this process.

If you feel constipated? Drink more water.

Is your skin looking dull and tired? Drink more water!

A plant based diet helps elimination and fuels your body with nutrients needed for good skin. Plants are especially high in Vitamin C and A. I eat a predominantly plant based diet and juice every day religiously.

Juicing is a wonderful way of getting a high assimilation of nutrients into your system quickly. Juices are high in water content, vitamins and minerals.

Which vitamins are key for healthy skin?

There are three essential vitamins needed for skin health. Vitamin C, A and E.

Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen. Collagen is vital for firm youthful skin and helps smooth fine lines. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants mop up free radicals caused from internal processes and external pollution like cigarette smoke, radiation, processed foods, corn oils, red meats, high Gi foods, alcohol, cooking oil and medication.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in nuts, vegetables, fish oil, whole grains, fortified cereals and apricots. Vitamin E reduces inflammation, helps with hyper pigmentation, increases blood circulation and improves skin tone.

Vitamin A supports the skin's immune system by helping to speed up healing and preventing break outs. It is a highly effective hydrator locking in natural moisture. Foods containing Vitamin A are orange and yellow vegetables and fruits, broccoli, spinach, wheatgrass, chlorella and dark leafy greens.

Omega fatty acids work with the water in your skin and in the environment to keep hydration levels balanced and to prevent moisture loss.

My skincare range is packed with all of these important vitamins and minerals so that your skin can get a healthy dose of all of these beneficial ingredients topically every day.

Do topical AHA and retinol make a difference?

The answer is definitely yes!

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of natural and synthetic ingredients that help exfoliate the surface layer of your skin to reveal a smoother skin tone.

We use AHAs in both our Renew Collagen Day Cream and Skin Regenerative Night Cream.

Sodium hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) is small enough to penetrate the upper layers of skin to reveal newer skin below. It also hydrates the skin by locking in moisture to give your skin a plumped-up look.

Retinol is another name for vitamin A. Retinols promote firmer, more radiant skin tones. They seem to instinctively know what ails the skin and sort it out - be it a dull complexion or fine lines. We use Vitamin A in its most natural forms - wheatgerm and evening primrose oil.

It's important to remember that although AHA and retinols are both superstar ingredients they are not enough. You need good organic natural oils and emollients that will soften the skin too. That is why we use only the best natural oils and ingredients that are literally good enough to eat. Avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, Marula oil, almond oil, shea butter and coconut oils all moisturise and soften, leaving your skin with a radiant glow.