Skin Health and Your Gut- Blog Series- Part 1

I've been receiving a lot of questions about skin health. In this next blog series, I want to dive into the basics and fundamentals of skin health and how it is connected to your gut.

Is your acne getting worse, not better?

Have you had acne your whole life?

Do you have dry skin, eczema, rashes, or sensitivities?

I know how frustrating and disappointing it can be to try and find something that really works, and what you are probably really hoping for is to find the ROOT of your skin issues. I've been there. I want to take the time in this first post to share my own struggles and victories with skin health.

My goal is to inspire you to not give up on this journey and to assure you that there is a root cause that can be addressed. And usually it is your GUT.

Part of me is so annoyed by 'before and after' pictures, but at this point in my journey I am actually humbled and excited to share my story. I want to share with you all where I've been to hopefully connect more with your story too.

Before: A very inflamed Natalie | 2009; After Gut Healing: A very happy, glowing and radiant Natalie | 2017

It took me many years of searching for me to discover the root of my acne and eczema. My journey took several stages of diet change and lifestyle adaptations to help get my skin back to the healthy glow it was when I was younger.

 I'm excited to share this valuable experience so you don't have to go through such a long journey.  I wish I had found someone to explain this bigger picture to me when I first started to struggle with acne. The diets for acne-prone skin I recommend are rooted in one common philosophy, a whole foods diet. The more whole foods I ate the better my skin looked.

But, I went from vegetarian to pescatarian, to raw food vegan, and I was still having boils and cysts, acne, and eczema. It seemed to be a little better but acne was still persistent and often painful.

In the rest of this blog series I will get into the following key components to heal your skin from the inside out:

• Healing the Gut

• Supporting Detoxification

• Herbal Support

But first…here are some of my favorite natural topical products to use for a minimalist face regimen.

NUTRITION WITH CONFIDENCE’S FAVORITE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS:

MY FAVORITE TOPICAL PRODUCTS THAT WORK BEST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEVERE CYSTIC ACNE, & SENSITIVE TO DRY SKIN.

Raw Unfiltered Honey Cleanser

• antibacterial

• pH of 4.5

• kills fungus and bacteria

• tastes good too!

• cleanse morning and night with damp face and a small dime size of honey

Emu oil Moisturizer and Scar Healer

• powerful moisturizer

• contains essential fatty acids

• stimulates cell regeneration

• reduces inflammation

• reduces appearance of scars, burns, wrinkles, and sun damage

• use this after cleansing your face with raw honey or cleanser of choice

Clove bud oil / Tea tree oil

• antibacterial

• helps cell rejuvenation

• use these diluted in jojoba oil or in the raw honey cleanser

Jojoba oil (carrier oil for essential oils above)

• great moisturizer for eczema, psoriasis, and reduces over production of oils that cause acne

• doesn't clog pores

• high in iodine that protects from breakouts

• is a great cleansing oil and protectant oil

• stimulates collagen synthesis

Damascus Rose Face Oil- Badger Organic Health Body Care

• includes jojoba oils and other nourishing skin oils

• soothing to the skin

• high in antioxidants

NOT MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

I must mention some new favorite topical remedies. I’ve since started using BeautyCounter after consulting with Genny B Beauty in a skin consultation. I’ve always been very minimalist in my skin care routine and was hesitant to try any products because of my sensitivities. Genny recommended some amazing products that have changed my world!

I now use a simple 4 step routine.

1. Cleanse with the Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Stick (at night only)

2. Prep with the Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence (morning and night)

3. Treat with the Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel (only every 3-4 days)

4. Moisturize/Protect with the Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream or the Rejuvenating Night Cream, since discontinued, (morning and night)

Bentonite Clay Masks or Charcoal Clay Masks

• helps draw out toxins

• reduces inflammation

• improves circulation

• drys out large cystic acne with a head

• helps reduce spread of bacteria

• ingestible grade quality can be taken orally to help carry away toxins in the digestive system

• limit use if you have dry sensitive skin as these can suck the moisture out of your cells and can make acne worse (use 1 x per week or 1-2x per month)