Health Topics

Anti-AgingSkin Care and Beauty

Summer Skin That Glows … Naturally

smiling woman with glowing skin

Radiant Summer Skin, the Healthy Way

The warm summer months encourage us to show a little skin, and we all want that vibrant summer glow, right? Healthy skin is a reflection of a healthy person. What you put in and on your body directly affects the radiance, tone, and condition of your skin. So, if you want to achieve summer skin that glows naturally without frying or drying your skin, read on!

Diet and Lifestyle

You’ve heard it before: A balanced diet does the body good. But did you know that a nutrient poor diet can actually deplete the body, including the skin? The skin requires abundant vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients to look its best. Diets low in nutrient dense foods and high in processed foods like sugar and fried fats can actually make your completion worse, and of course, they’re not going to make you feel very well, either. On the other hand, eating nutrient rich foods that contain vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats and proteins will help to keep your skin radiant and supple, and have the additional bonus of making you feel great!

Nutrients

woman with healthy skin eating a bowl of fruitAntioxidants! Foods high in antioxidants help to protect your skin from free radical damage caused by the sun, and by damaged and/or processed foods. Excellent sources of antioxidants include:

  • Deep purple and red colored foods like berries and other brightly colored fruits
  • Dark green foods like kale, chard, and broccoli
  • Red kidney beans
  • Green tea, Red Bush (Rooibos) tea

Omega 3 Fatty Acids Diets rich in omega-3 fats like those found in fish or fish oil help to keep cell membranes healthy, and also helps reduce inflammation, both internally and on the skin. Foods high in omega-3 fats include:

  • Fatty fish like salmon, anchovies, and sardines
  • Walnuts, flax, and hemp seeds

Vitamin A is an excellent antioxidant, and also promotes tissue repair and moist, supple skin.

Vitamin E is also a great antioxidant source, and can be consumed internally by taking in foods and supplements. Vitamin E may also be applied topically in the form of Vitamin E oil or an antioxidant serum. Food sources of Vitamin E include:

  • Sunflower seeds
  • Almonds
  • Olives
  • Leafy greens

Vitamin C helps promote the body’s own production of collagen, the substance responsible for giving our skin elasticity. When collagen levels decline, skin begins to wrinkle and sag. Further, Vitamin C can help regenerate Vitamin E production and improve iron absorption. Vitamin C may also be applied topically in the form of an antioxidant serum. Food sources for Vitamin C include:

  • Papaya
  • Red Bell Peppers, Raw
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts,
  • Strawberries
  • Oranges

Protein Good quality protein promotes cell repair, and in doing so also helps fight aging. Sources of protein include:

  • Wild caught fish
  • Hormone and antibiotic free poultry
  • Legumes
  • Nuts and seeds

Vitamin D is critical to support strong immunity. It is important to be aware of maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels, especially in the summer months, when you will be wearing a strong sunscreen, which can prevent the absorption of Vitamin D from the sun. You can have your Vitamin D levels tested at most clinics or doctors’ offices, and the cost is usually relatively low (often under $40). Check with your healthcare provider to see what your options are.

Be sure to limit or avoid refined foods like sugar, white flour, and damaged/fried fats, as these foods deplete the body and the skin of essential nutrients needed for good health and a glowing complexion.

Exercise

Women with healthy skin running outdoorsIt’s true. Even skin health requires regular exercise. Getting your heart pumping 4-5x/week will promote the circulation necessary to bring vibrancy to the skin, and will also assist with detoxification and cell renewal. Exercise also helps to reduce stress, which means you will likely be frowning less (good-bye, frown lines!) and smiling more (hello, happy face!)

Exfoliate

Exfoliating a few times per week will help remove dead skin cells and leave your dermis smooth and supple. You can make a great all around chemical free skin exfoliator at home by mixing sea salt with extra virgin olive oil, enough to make a gritty paste. The sea salt will remove impurities and slough away dead skin cells while the olive oil deeply moisturizes the skin.

You might also try Cosmetic Skin Solutions Resurfacing Serum, to give your skin a fresh, new look.


Healthy Summer Skin Tips – Enjoy Your Fun in the Sun

Sun ProtectionSpending time in the sun is not only enjoyable, it is necessary. As human beings, we depend on the sun for many things including warmth, energy, and light. In essence, the sun sustains us. Of course we know now that the sun, like most things in life, needs to be enjoyed in moderation.

In fact, exposure to ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB) accounts for 90% of the symptoms associated with photoaging, which refers to the damage that is done to the skin from prolonged exposure to UV radiation. Most of the skin changes that occur as we get older are accelerated by sun exposure.

The sun’s heat dehydrates areas of unprotected skin and depletes the skin’s supply of natural lubricating oils. Therefore, overexposure to ultraviolet light can cause skin to become dry, thin, and wrinkled. Prolonged sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer and a host of other cellular skin changes caused by free radical damage.

UVA and UVB radiation can cause:

  • Skin damage including wrinkles
  • Lowered immunity against infection
  • Aging skin disorders and cancer
  • Collagen breakdown
  • Formation of free radicals
  • Interference with DNA repair

Not All Sunscreens Are Created Equal

While it’s true that long term sun exposure warrants the use of sunscreen, it is important to know that not all sunscreens are created equal. In fact, many of the conventional sunscreens available today actually contain chemicals that can be detrimental to your health.  These products usually contains two or more of these active ingredients: octinoxate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, and homosalate.

Many also contain parabens, such as methylparaben, as a preservative.  Studies indicate that some of these may bind to estrogen receptors, mimicking estrogen in the body, which can lead to a wide variety of health problems, including estrogen dominance.  Read more at EWG (Environmental Working Group).

It is also important during the summer months when sunscreen is being applied regularly to ensure you are getting adequate vitamin D, as sunscreen can prevent adequate absorption of Vitamin D.


Supplements and Body Care Products

Obtaining that summer skin doesn’t have to be a detriment to your health. On the contrary! When you are good to your body, it shows (and glows!), so jump on in.

Remember: Healthy skin starts from within! Make that your mantra this summer, and your skin will glow all season long.

Cosmetic Skin Solutions Topical Antioxidant Skin Serums This skin care rejuvenation line provides the highest quality scientifically-advanced and effective anti-aging ingredients. Their unique formulas can revitalize, protect, and help preserve the tone, texture, and appearance of your skin. Paraben free.

Copper Peptide Serum

Copper Peptide Serum from Cosmetic Skin SolutionsCopper Peptide Serum combines copper peptides with a dual peptide enriched with a unique ceramide complex which creates essential biochemical mechanisms to revitalize the skin giving it an ultimate anti-aging makeover!

Soothing B5 Peptide Gel

Soothing B5 Peptide Gel from Cosmetic Skin SolutionsSoothing B5 Peptide Gelis an intense, moisturizing hyaluronic acid gel with antioxidants Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B3, and 6 clinically proven Peptides to improve and preserve youthful looking skin.


Vitamin C + E with Ferulic Acid

Vitamin C plus E Serum with Ferulic Acid from Cosmetic Skin SolutionsVitamin C+E Serum with Ferulic Acid Utilizes synergistic interactions of Vitamin C and E with ferulic acid to provide unmatched protection on the skin’s surface.

RegenaCell Daily Anti-Aging Cream

RegenaCell Daily Anti-Aging Cream contains a highly concentrated vital nutrients, antioxidants, cell rejuvenators and natural moisturizers – without synthetic chemicals, alcohols, or other harmful ingredients and fillers. Paraben free.


Arctic Pure Omega 3 Fish Oil

Arctic Pure Omega 3 Fish Oil from Source NaturalsArctic Pure Omega 3 Fish Oil Provides your body with the essential omega 3 fatty acids your skin needs to stay young and healthy looking. According to the Journal for Lipid Research, Omega 3 fatty acids help in preventing wrinkles and delay the skin aging process.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A PalmitateVitamin A is necessary for the maintenance and repair of skin tissue and helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, and mucus membranes.


Vitamin E

Gamma EVitamin E is fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties essential to reduce and prevent damage caused by free radicals, which cause oxidation and skin damage.

Vitamin C

Systemic C from Source NaturalsVitamin C further promotes collagen production and skin elasticity. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals and other animals, humans do not have the ability to make their own vitamin C.


Vitamin D

Vitamin D3 10000IUVitamin D3 5000IU is a high-potency supplement for those who may not easily produce Vitamin D due to aging or other factors. Vitamin D-3 also plays an important role in regulating cell growth, insulin levels, and bone formation.

Beauty Infusion

Beauty Infusion Drink Mix from NeoCellBeauty Infusion refreshing collagen drink mix is infused with essential nutrients that work together to strengthen hair, skin and nails, hydrate the skin, and provide antioxidant power against environmental damage.

Energetic Nutrition®
Energetic Nutrition provides high-quality, wholesome, nutritional supplements and all natural personal care products for women and men. We offer several innovative brands of products that we have carefully selected for their high-grade formulations and use of cutting edge technology. We are committed to exceptional customer service and offer valuable educational resources.