We have this idea that skin care is frivolous or “extra” or a luxury. While it can feel exquisite to receive good skin care, its actually good for our health. Our skin plays an essential role in the health of our whole body. Here is just one example: Chronically inflamed skin can ignite inflammation in our other organs by creating inflammatory markers (signals) that get carried by our circulatory system throughout our whole body. This brings inflammatory signals from our skin everywhere…to our hearts, lungs, even our brains. When we quell chronic inflammation in our skin, the inflammatory signals from our skin stop as well, which is like a healing waterfall cascading throughout our bodies. Caring for our skin is wise. (For more info about this, click here.)

Even beyond physical health, our skin is intimately intertwined with mental health and emotional health. All three rise and fall together. (For more info about this, click here.)

Healthy Skin

Balanced, healthy skin has a positive impact on the health of your entire body (both physical and mental).

When our skin is healthy, we feel better. Skin that is out of balance (itchy, painfully dry, flaking, rashy, red, breaking out, excessively oily, puffy, acutely sensitive, or even just dull, lifeless, rough, uneven tone, etc.,) this can cause distress. When our skin is balanced and calm, we feel more balanced and calm, too.

We need our personal balance and calm, too, now more than ever. We live in a world that needs us, desperately, to be compassionate, thoughtful, peaceful, wise and even joyful.

When there is a lot going on- in the world, and in our lives- we can still come home to our most balanced selves. Offering consistent care to our skin (that armor that protects us) is good for us. It feels good too. A few solid, daily steps can steady us.

Good skin care does not have to be complicated or fussy, just beneficial and consistent.

So, in the spirit of creating good health all the way from the aura that surrounds us like a halo to deep down in our bones, here are some solid steps to keep our skin balanced, luminous and healthy.

Skin care routine~

This is where is all begins, Beauty. Following a solid skin care routine every AM and PM is the foundation. If all else fails, hold on to this step.

1) Use a cleanser that leaves your skin clean, soft, supple and hydrated (never tight, dry, red or irritated feeling). Regular use of a cleanser that is a good match for you should keep your skin fresh and calm, with clearer pores. (If this is not happening, we need to find you a better cleanser!)

Your AM and PM Skincare Routine

A consistent routine that meets the needs of your skin is the key to healthy skin.

2) Exfoliate 1 to 4 times per week (or more or less often as needed for your specific skin) after you cleanse. This could be an exfoliating scrub, an exfoliating mask, an exfoliating toner (such as those with exfoliating acids) or an exfoliating serum (such those containing exfoliating ingredients like retinal or retinol, glycolic, AHA, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, etc.,) or a combination of these. If you are exfoliating the right amount with the right product(s), your skin will be smoother, clearer and brighter. (If this does not happen, we need to find you better exfoliating products!)

3) Hydrate with a good toner, hydrating mist or hydrosol. This step should leave your skin fresh, lush, calm and moist, never ever tight or “stinging” or red or dry. (If your hydrating product is not keeping your skin balanced and more lush, we must find you a better one!)

4) Apply a good serum- this is the “action” product. Different serums can help reduce and prevent wrinkles, or reduce and prevent breakouts and clogs, or deeply hydrate and balance your skin, or calm your skin, or infuse your skin with essential nourishment, or help to stimulate skin health. Multiple serums can be layered, or one serum can be applied all alone. The serum(s) best for you depend on what is needed by your individual skin. With regular use your serum(s) should improve your skin in some way (such as less dry, less oily, calmer, smoother, more refined, brighter, better tone, etc.,). If this is not happening, we need to find you some better serums!)

5) Apply a good moisturizer. Your moisturizer should keep your skin lush and balanced all day long and all night long (not too dry, not too oily). A moisturizer that is a good fit for your skin will not clog your pores. A few drops of a good facial oil can be added to your moisturizer application if needed.

6) Sun protection. Applied as the final layer every AM. This step keeps your skin protected from the damage of the ultraviolet rays from the sun, as well as from harmful blue light from your computer screen and phone screen (sunscreens that are rich in antioxidants will be able to protect your skin much better). Regular use of sun protection will keep your skin younger and healthier for longer. Your sun protection should keep your skin calm and looking good. (If it causes clogs or breakouts or irritation, we need to find you better sun protection!)

The other pillars of good skin health~

Sleep: enough restful sleep each night is a long-term beauty treatment for your skin: (click and scroll down)

Eat: all the fresh produce you love (veggies, fruits, squash, roots, fresh herbs, greens). These are full of glow-inducing nourishment for your skin. Also, nuts and seeds (flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, hazel nuts, brazil nuts, cashews, etc.,) are all packed with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals that our skin thrives on. (click)

The Other Pillars of Skin Health

Sleep, plant foods, good circulation, deep breaths...

Exercise: Moving circulation through our bodies regularly keeps our skin fresh and alive. (click)

Breathing: Deep, refreshing, soulful, restorative (and truly, a beauty treatment for your skin). (click)

Joy: I love these tips for not only calming inflammation but for finding joy, too: (click)

More support: If needed, acupuncture and naturopathic support are so gentle and lovely for you and for your skin, too.

“Be you, love you. All ways, always.”
~Alexandra Elle

“My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they're rich and important.”
~Frances Hodgson Burnett

“Think of rest not as laziness but as an investment in your creativity, resilience, and overall well-being.”
~ Ken Breniman

xoxo marna

Blog written by Marna Herrington with Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio
Blog copy editing and polishing provided by Karen-Eileen Gordon (MsGordonLovesWriting@gmail.com)

This blog is not intended to take the place of in-person consultations with qualified skin care and health care practitioners. This blog is for the purpose of education and fun only. All images and text in this blog are under the legal ownership of Rich Earth Organic Skin Care Studio or are unambiguously in the public domain. Permission is not granted for this text or these images to be copied and used out of the context of this blog, or for commercial purposes. If any part of the text is quoted in an article or other blog for educational purposes, a hyperlink to this page must be included.

Caring for Our Skin is Wise

Skin care routine~

The other pillars of good skin health~

“Be you, love you. All ways, always.” ~Alexandra Elle

“My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they're rich and important.” ~Frances Hodgson Burnett

“Think of rest not as laziness but as an investment in your creativity, resilience, and overall well-being.” ~ Ken Breniman

“Be you, love you. All ways, always.”
~Alexandra Elle

“My mother always says people should be able to take care of themselves, even if they're rich and important.”
~Frances Hodgson Burnett

“Think of rest not as laziness but as an investment in your creativity, resilience, and overall well-being.”
~ Ken Breniman