Naturally Curious - Flawless Skin From Within

There is one thing that we hear over and over again from TheStylisted artists - great makeup application and hair styling begins with beautiful skin and healthy locks. With all that's been written lately about a more natural approach to skin and hair care - washing your face with oil and moisturizing with honey to name a few - I find that women are more confused than relieved. Luckily, NYC acupuncturist and herbalist Eliza Grimes is here to break it all down for us. In her first post, Eliza will share some of her favorite, natural tricks for flawless skin from within.

We all want to know the secret for flawless skin. There are hundreds of products on the market claiming to clear your skin but most consist of harsh chemicals that actually damage your skin long term. Having clear, beautiful skin can actually be simple! When we are imbalanced internally, it's shows on our exterior. The trick is establishing underlying balance and harmony without having to use harsh chemicals. The following are my favorite natural tricks to healthy skin:

1.    Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is one of my favorite secrets. Rich in enzymes and potassium, ACV supports digestion by balancing Ph and boosting immunity. A healthy gut yields healthy skin! My favorite is Bragg's Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, which can be found in most supermarkets. You can either ingest 2 Tbs of ACV daily (directly off of the spoon or mixed with a small amount of warm water), or topically by applying a small amount to a cotton ball and using as a toner on clean skin. 

2.    Cod Liver Oil: We hear a lot about fish oil these days but my favorite is Green Pasture's Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil.  This oil provides natural forms of fat soluble vitamins A, D & K. It also has a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and therefore improve the skin. I recommend taking 2-3 capsules daily.      

                 

3.    Cruciferous Vegetables: Be sure to eat a sufficient amount of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. These nutrient-dense vegetables are anti-inflammatory and therefore reduce blemishes and skin reddening.

4.    Probiotics: Take a daily probiotic separate from your food and preferably one that must be refrigerated. Probiotics helps restore healthy bacteria in the gut that may be damaged from the overuse of antibiotics, poor diet, stress, or other digestive dysfunctions that might impair the absorption of nutrients.  There are several great brands out there but I would recommend MegaFoods or Culturelle.

Eliza Grimes is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and has a private practice in the flatiron area in Manhattan. Interested in learning more? You can visit Eliza's website at www.elizagrimes.com and check out more health tips by following her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elizagrimesL.Ac.

Photos courtesy of iherb.com, rediscoverthekitchen.blogspot.com, aicr.org, and samsclub.com