17 Unexpected but Proven Actions for Healthy Skin: Start Today to Build Radiant Skin for Life

You may think slathering expensive lotions on your face will give you soft, clear skin… but more than likely you’re just tossing away hard-earned money without much change in your skin’s appearance.

Haven’t we all done this?

I never thought my first bite of sauerkraut as an adult would amass what I’m about to share, but it has. I started eating sauerkraut because I read that fermented foods were a common thread in the diets of healthy, disease-free groups of traditional societies.

Why was sauerkraut an integral part of radiant health?

Delving deeper into the benefits of sauerkraut led me to the importance of its impact on gut health which in turn opened my eyes on its connection to:

whether I remembered names, or where I placed my keys…

the number of zits on my face…

if I had enough energy to make it through the day..

or, how long I sat on the toilet each morning….

So, get ready to look deeper than the face smiling at you in the mirror each morning and grab one of the upcoming action items to build healthy skin from the cellular level with:

fermented foods (you knew that one was coming)…

soothing gelatin…

powerful SuperFoods…

healthy – yes, they really are – fats…

a few lifestyle habits…

and some lovely, nourishing topical skin treatments.

Read on…

looking for the ONE tip that resonates most with you and can be put into action.

And then…

use my habit stacking tips, found at the end of this post, to Make It Happen.

Improve Your Gut AND Skin Health by Eating Fermented Foods

What you notice about your skin health is a window into the health of your gut for what you see on the surface is impacted by what is hidden deep within your gut. The state of our skin is a direct reflection of what our bodies look like on the inside.

“If you want to heal your skin you have to heal your gut” – Chris Kresser, Chriskresser

Think of the lining of your gut as a special skin that requires the same nutrients as your external skin for supporting a healthy gut barrier. This gut barrier is lined with a biofilm made up of billions of beneficial bacteria, just as your skin is home to a variety of bacteria.

If you have poor gut integrity – “leaky-gut” – and toxins pass through the gut wall they can no longer be eliminated by the bowels. The skin, your back-up organ of elimination bears the brunt of these toxins, pathogens and undigested proteins. Hello acne, rashes, psoriasis and so on.

Fermented foods, along with bone broth, gelatin, cod liver oil, and butter all work to restore gut health.

As your gut heals, so will your skin.

More on leaky gut and some foods to restore gut health in my previous post:

What Does Your Gut have to do with Your Skin Health? A Lot…

ACTION #1: Improve Your Skin with a Daily Forkful of Sauerkraut (or Kimchi)

Today, I love sauerkraut. As a child, I hated sauerkraut. I was turned off for life by one bite of that nasty canned stuff on my County Fair hot dog.

Lacto-fermented sauerkraut tastes TOTALLY different. So keep an open mind if you have not tried naturally-fermented raw sauerkraut. This stuff is so powerful that you will want to find a way to enjoy it.

Sauerkraut Healthy Skin Connection

Sauerkraut is rich in probiotics to improve your digestion, help heal any damage in your digestive tract and allow your body to absorb the nutrients it needs to build healthy skin.

Make Sauerkraut Happen

Additional Resources:

See the Sauerkraut Section in my post:

Fermented Foods ULTIMATE Guide: How to Buy or Make, Ways to Eat & Wonderful Benefits

ACTION #2: Got Kefir? Drink Kefir! It does a body good.

Kefir is a cultured beverage made from milk fermented with kefir grains. This bubbly drink is a tart cousin to yogurt and originated more than 2,000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains of Europe. Think of Kefir as a drinkable yogurt with a much greater range of beneficial bacteria than commonly found in yogurt.

Consuming Kefir is a great way to heal your skin from the inside out. You can find Kefir at your local health food store but it will not have much more probiotic power than yogurt since commercially made Kefir is made from only a handful of isolated bacteria strains. You`ll have to make your own which is easy and requires no heating. Just kefir grains, a jar, and some milk.

Kefir Healthy Skin Connection

Donna Schwenk, at Cultured Food for Life, has this to say about Kefir:

“Homemade kefir has between 30 and 56 strains of good bacteria, while yogurt has only 7 to 10. And the types of bacteria in kefir are also quite different from those in yogurt. The bacteria in yogurt pass through the body within 24 hours, their main purpose being to sustain the good bacteria that already reside in the digestive system. Kefir, however, is a source of those good bacteria. The bacteria in kefir stay and take up residence, creating a colony that remains in the digestive system.”

A recent study in Korea of 56 acne patients found that drinking a Lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverage – which kefir is – significantly reduced their acne lesions and their skin became less oily over the 12-week study period.

Make Kefir Happen

Additional Resources:

See the Kefir section in my post:

Fermented Foods ULTIMATE Guide: How to Buy or Make, Ways to Eat & Wonderful Benefits

Donna Schwenk at Cultured Food for Life is quite passionate about Kefir and has seen amazing health results with the inclusion of Kefir in her diet and in her clients’ diets. Her website contains many ways to use Kefir and many troubleshooting tips.

Give Your Skin a “Botox” Treatment by Consuming Gelatin

Gelatin is a natural source of collagen, protein and essential amino acids (mainly lysine, proline, and glycine) to improve the health of connective tissues and regulate cells in the body. Gelatin supports and heals digestion and is essential for joint health. Gelatin is derived from the skin, connective tissues and bones of animals and is used to thicken or congeal foods.

“Researchers from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology examined the possible anti-aging effects of gelatin in mice. Mice who didn’t eat gelatin lost 53 percent of the collagen in their skin when exposed to UV light. Mice that age gelatin had an increase in collagen levels by 17 percent when exposed to UV light. The researchers concluded that the inclusion of gelatin is highly beneficial for the skin and may be able to counteract the damaging effects of UV rays on the skin.” 

The best way to get all the benefits of gelatin is to consume bone broth as discussed in ACTION #9 To Smooth Wrinkles, Drink a Cup of this Magic Elixir.

A super-easy way is to reap all the benefits is to buy a quality brand of dried gelatin and start adding it to your meals. This simple addition to your diet can make your skin healthier, smoother, firmer, and more attractive in just a few short weeks.

When buying gelatin, you want to choose sources of gelatin that come from organic, chemical and hormone-free, pasture-raised animals to ensure you receive the maximum health benefits of the gelatin. Jell-O from the grocery store shelves, with its chemicals, added sugars, and processed ingredients, will not deliver health benefits.

Recommended Gelatin (Collagen Protein) Brands, Gelling:

“Gelling” gelatin will solidify or gel in liquids and can be used to make jello, healthy gummy snacks, or added to soups and broths as a nutritious protein booster and thickener. I am only aware of two 100% grass-fed brands of gelatin:

Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised Collagen Protein, Beef Gelatin

Get the best price by buying 6 cans direct from Great Lakes Gelatin.

Recommended Gelatin (Collagen Peptides) Brands, Non-Gelling:

Collagen Hydrolysate or non-gelling “gelatin” does not gel in cold liquids and does not alter the texture or thicken liquids. It can be mixed into both hot and cold liquids. This is great for mixing into your morning tea or coffee and sneaking into just about anything. I am only aware of two 100% grass-fed brands of gelatin:

Vital Proteins Pasture-Raised Collagen Peptides

Get the best price by buying 6 cans direct from Great Lakes Gelatin.

IMPORTANT TIP for Working with Gelatin: BLOOMING

I struggled for the longest time trying to get gelatin to dissolve. I tried cool liquid, I tried warm liquid. I would add the gelatin to the liquid and stir vigorously and then slowly heat. I always ended up with a messy pot to clean. Invariably, some of the gelatin would glue itself to the edge of the pot. Finally, I read somewhere about blooming your gelatin.

To bloom gelatin, place room-temperature liquid in cup or pot, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the top and WAIT for a couple of minutes! Be patient. Watch and see the transformation. The grains of gelatin will hydrate (or “bloom”) absorbing the liquid and taking on an applesauce-like consistency. At this stage, it is ready to be heated to completely dissolve the gelatin.

Additional Resources

10 Health Benefits of Gelatin, Plus 80 Ways to Eat More of It by Jessica Espinoza of Delicious Obsessions

A thorough discussion on the different brands of gelatin along with cost comparisons: The Scoop on Gelatin Brands by Jessica Espinoza of Delicious Obsessions

A nice overview of gelatin, with specifics on acne. Have Acne: Try Eating Gelatin

The Difference between Gelatin and Collagen by Sylvie McCracken of Hollywood Homestead

ACTION #3: Make Jello and Enjoy Your Collagen as a Cooling Dessert

Jello made with real gelatin is a delicious way to enjoy its benefits and an especially easy way to get children to eat gelatin.

Photo by Steve Depolo

Gelatin Healthy Skin Connection

Gelatin contains 18 necessary amino acids that support your body’s ability to repair and maintain healthy skin, joints and bones.

Make Jello Happen

Jello Recipe

Additional Recipes:

Recipe complete with video: How to Make Natural, Healthy Jello by Mama Natural

And, Healthy Homemade Jello by Oh Lardy. Like me, she has you “bloom” the gelatin before heating.

ACTION #4: Gummy Bears: An Easy Bit-Sized Way to Pop Some Cell-Regenerating Gelatin

Gummy Bears are made just like jello except you add more gelatin to make them denser and can gel them in fun shaped silicone molds, thus “Gummy Bear.” And, with the greater concentration of gelatin, you get more collagen.

Photo by David O’Hare

Gelatin Healthy Skin Connection

Since our bodies make less collagen as we age, gelatin can improve skin health by producing more elasticity.

Make Gummy Bears Happen

Gummy Bear Recipes:

Tangerine Gummies for Radiant Skin by Wellness Mamma

Homemade Healthy Fruit Snack by Thank Your Body

And for the adults, Bulletproof Coffee Gummies by Cheerfully Imperfect.

ACTION #5: Bulletproof Your Morning Drink with a Spoonful of Gelatin

The easiest way to develop a new habit is to notch-up something you’re already doing.

Drink coffee or tea already? Do you regularly make yourself a smoothie or green drink? Add a spoonful of gelatin and without missing a beat, you’ve consumed a tablespoon of gelatin daily which will do wonders for your skin.

I aim for 2 tablespoons of gelatin daily, one in my morning tea and one in ACTION #6: Enjoy Deep Restful Sleep with this Evening Sleep Tonic.

Photo by Liz West

Gelatin Healthy Skin Connection

“I take gelatin for its skin, hair and nail promoting effects. I have noticed a substantial difference in my skin tone and smoothness. I’ve actually upped my Gelatin lately as I am weight training or strength and it is supposed to be protective of joints and it helps build muscle.” – Katie, Wellness Mama

Make Gelatin in Your Tea or Coffee Happen

Additional Recipes to Bulletproof Your Morning Drink

Healthy Veggie Smoothie by Wellness Mama

At the end of this post by Wellness Mama, is a kid-friendly Coconut Smoothie.

ACTION #6: Enjoy Deep Restful Sleep with this Evening Sleep Tonic

When struggling with sleep during my recent menopause, I found this recipe to be a great aid for deep, restful sleep. Little did I know I was improving my skin and joints – ravaged by the hormonal changes of menopause – while I blissfully slept.

Many – as does Joyous Health – extol the benefits of just lemon water as a morning alkalizing drink. Use what works for you, just don’t forget to add gelatin.

Gelatin Healthy Skin Connection

“Makes your skin glow! After a few weeks of lemon and water, you may notice your skin is brighter, and if you suffer from skin blemishes, you may notice a remarkable improvement. The health of your digestive system and your liver is directly related to the health of your skin.” – Joy McCarthy, Joyous Health

The gelatin also helps to calm the nervous system to improve sleep.

Make Evening Sleep Tonic Happen

Feed Your Skin from the Inside Out with These SuperFoods

Do you have rough patches of raised skin on the backs of your upper arms?

Read on.

To have healthy skin, you need to feed it well with foods high in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats. Vitamins A and D being the superstars when it comes to skin health.

Rough, dry and prematurely aged skin is a telltale sign of Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is critical to the repair process, including repair from sunburn. Vitamin A increases the thickness of the epidermis. Vitamin D aids in skin cell metabolism and growth.

Foods high in these crucial skin vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats?

Sardines. Cod Liver Oil. Bone Broth.

ACTION #7: Move Over Tuna. Eat a Few Tins of Sardines Each Week

Sardines have been on my Good-Stuff-To-Add-To-My-Diet list for months, years actually, but the thought of eating tiny, oily fish kept those sardine cans in my pantry gathering dust.

When researching further into skin health, I came across this video by Liz of Real Food Liz. My fears for these common little “fish puppies,” as Liz refers to them, were quickly erased by her upbeat, empowering 3-minute video. She even demos eating them!

Canned sardines are affordable, convenient, sustainable and one of the most nutritious foods out there, and they deliver many skin-boosting benefits. They are low on the food-chain, so no concerns about mercury and other toxins. They don’t need refrigeration, making them an easy travel food. This healthy and complete protein can make a bigger impact on your skin health than expensive supplements.

Sardines Healthy Skin Connection

Sardines contain Vitamin B12 for skin regeneration, Vitamin D-3 for wrinkle prevention, selenium to protect your skin against sun damage and Omega-3 fatty acids with their anti-inflammatory properties and to help maintain skin thickness and elasticity. They are a great protein for maintaining youthful skin.

Make Sardines Happen

ACTION #8: Zap those Zits with Traditionally Processed Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Fermented Cod liver oil (FCLO) is an ancient healing food rich in a proper balance of skin-healing vitamins A, D and K2 to heal your skin from the inside out, along with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids to keep the outer layers of your skin strong, thus creating a barrier against environmental toxins.

Taking FCLO not only can transform your skin in a matter of weeks, but also strengthens your teeth.

This ad from 1942 extols its virtues and is “Recommended by Many Doctors.”

Cod Liver Oil Healthy Skin Connection

Free radicals can cause acne, wrinkles, pre-cancerous lesions and more. Vitamin A in FLCO improves skin conditions by preventing the oxidation process initiated by free radicals. In addition, Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for maintaining the outer layers of skin, can transform dry, flaky and scaly skin into soft and supple skin.

Vitamin D in FLCO is an essential vitamin for bone mineralization and prevention against osteoporosis. It is especially helpful for clearing up the rough, irritated patches of psoriasis that can be caused by a lack of Vitamin D.

Make Cod Liver Oil Happen

Additional Resources: Tips for Taking Cod Liver Oil

How Do You Take Cod Live Oil? 12 Tips and Tricks 

5 Unusual Acne Treatments That Work

ACTION #9: To Smooth Wrinkles, Sip a Cup of This Magical Elixir

This past fall, a new trendy hot-beverage was filling mugs across the country. What is this magical elixir? Collagen-rich bone broth. There is even a take-out bone-broth window in New York City.

Brodo owner’s, Marco Canora, love for broth has deep roots. “I grew up in an Italian household, and brodo is something you have at all the holidays,” he says. “Every Christmas dinner, every Easter dinner, they start with broth.” Not to mention its broader history. “I love that it’s been around forever and there are proverbs from South America that say a good broth can revive the dead,” he says.

Bone Broth Healthy Skin Connection

Wrinkles occur when the collagen (which gives your skin elasticity) in your skin breaks down. As we age and our production of collagen declines, our skin becomes thinner and creases form.

Want to get rid of wrinkles, or at least make them less pronounced? Help to heal your gut while you increase your intake of collagen by consuming bone broth.

You can make bone broth by cooking down the skin, bones and joints of animals, preferably pastured-raised. Once cooked down, you are left with a nutrient-rich liquid rich in not only collagen but, as outlined by Hollywood Homestead:

• Bone marrow (depending on the bones), which is really important for blood health and immunity
• Glycine and proline, which are amino acids that help produce heme (in the blood) and glucose, and aid in digestion. They also make your skin look great because they help support collagen.
• Cartilage, which is important for joint health. Especially valuable if you have arthritis.
• Minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Osso Good Bones does a nice job of extolling broth’s benefits.

Make Bone Broth Happen

Keep Your Skin From Drying Out with Healthy Fats

Want healthy glowing skin?

Eat fat.

Your body can create some of the fats it needs to survive, but there is a reason there is a set of fats called ESSENTIAL fatty acids. Your body needs them! Essential fatty acids are critical to helping your body produce healthy cells, including skin cells.

Essential fatty acids aid in the production of sebum to keep your skin hydrated, reduce inflammation, lessen breakouts and help your skin safely handle sunlight.

The only way to get these essential fatty acids is through food. Eat healthy amounts of healthy fats to ensure your body has enough of these critical building blocks.

“Since your cells are made up of fats, the fats you consume will inevitably become the building blocks for the structure of the cells in your body. Eat good fats and you’ll have good, healthy cells where nutrients flow in easily and toxins flow out easily. Eat bad fats and you’ll have a rigid cell membrane where nutrients are not able to flow in easily and toxins cannot flow out easily.” – Erica Jones, True Beauty You

Keep in mind that the type of fats you eat is crucial. Check out this infographic: The Facts on Fats

Bad fats that release free radicals in your body and stimulate inflammation:

Canola Oil
Soybean Oil
Sunflower Oil
Corn Oil
Safflower Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Margarine

Good fats that can make your skin positively glow:

Butter
Tallow
Lard
Palm Oil
Coconut Oil
Avocado Oil
Olive Oil

“Eating fat is absolutely essential to maintaining good health, and is crucial to having amazing skin.” – Mind Body Green

Additional Resources

If in doubt, and want an in-depth read, check out The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet, by Nina Teicholz.

ACTION #10: Add Coconut Oil to Your Daily Diet for Long-Term Skin Health

Coconut oil is a traditional oil that has been consumed for thousands of years in tropical countries. This fruit, so abundant in healing properties, is often referred to as the “Tree of Life.” Coconut products are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers, coconut oil, building blocks for perfect health.

Before World War II, people in the Philippines and other tropical island communities consumed the meat, milk, and oil from the coconut daily. Although high in saturated fat, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease were virtually unheard of. Islanders were found to have youthful complexion, soft wrinkle-free skin, and almost no skin cancer, despite excessive exposure to the sun year-round.

Coconut Oil Healthy Skin Connection

Medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil keep skin smooth to the touch and help to retain the moisture content of the skin. The specific fatty acids capric, caprylic and lauric acid protect skin from infections. Coconut oil contains Vitamin E for healthy skin growth, repair and keeping skin smooth. Proteins in coconut oil keep skin healthy and rejuvenated as well as contributing to cellular health and repair.

Make Coconut Oil Happen

Additional Resources

What is the Best Coconut Oil Brand to Buy?

Coconut Almond Fudge Bar Recipe (The first way I used to easily and enjoyably consume coconut oil.)

How to Make Coconut Oil “Fat Bomb” Recipe

ACTION #11: Eat More Butter. Eat More Butter. Eat More Butter.

“I think one of the most terrible things today is that people have this deathly fear of food: fear of eggs, say, or fear of butter.” – Julia Child

Butter Healthy Skin Connection

Butter is high in both the essential mineral selenium, a potent antioxidant, and Vitamin E. These work together to smooth out skin and keep it healthy, elastic and glowing.

To reap the greatest benefits, buy organic grass-fed butter. Organic grass-fed butter will come from cows that are not fed growth hormones or eating grass grown with harmful pesticides or GMOs. Grass-fed cows will produce more nutritious milk, hence more nutritious butter.

Make Butter Happen

Additional Resources

Is All Butter Created Equal? by Mark Sisson, Mark’s Daily Apple
Is Butter Secretly Ruining Your Health? by Food Babe, covers what kinds of butter to avoid and why.

Improve Lifestyle Habits for Underlying Support

ACTION #12: Get Your Beauty Sleep to Keep Your Skin at It’s Best

Do your eyes look dark and puffy when you first look in the mirror in the morning? Just one night of restless sleep can wreak havoc, but chronic sleep deprivation is particularly damaging.

“You cannot be healthy without adequate sleep. Period.” – Chris Kresser

Sleep Healthy Skin Connection

Lack of sleep leads to increased levels of stress hormones in the body, causing inflammation. Inflammation that results in wrinkles, increased acne breakouts, increased skin sensitivity and increased skin allergenic reactions.

Not enough sleep results in poor water balance, leading to puffy bags under your eyes, under-eye circles, dryness and more visible wrinkles.

During sleep, our cells rebuild and repair themselves. Cells that are nourished by collagen to keep our skin elastic.

“Beauty” sleep is not just an old wive’s tale. Deep, restful sleep is essential for beautiful, healthy skin. It is during sleep that our body is repaired.

Make Sleep Happen

Nearly one-third of US adults get less than 6 hours of sleep per night. If that’s you, here are a few tips to ensure you get your Beauty Sleep:

ACTION #13: Reverse Skin Aging by Logging a Few Hours a Week of Sweaty Exercise

“Exercise not only appears to keep skin younger, it may also even reverse skin aging in people who start exercising late in life, according to surprising new research.” – Gretchen Reynolds

Our skin changes as we age with a drying and thickening in the outer, protective layer of our skin and a thinning in the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. It loses cells and elasticity, giving our skin a saggy appearance.

Exercise Healthy Skin Connection

Researchers at McMaster University found that people over the age of 40 who exercise regularly have healthier skin. After first obtaining skin samples from their buttocks, volunteers aged 65 or older worked out twice a week for three months. In the end, researchers again biopsied the volunteers’ skin. But now the samples looked quite different, with outer and inner layers that looked very similar to those of 20- to 40-year-olds.

“I don’t want to over-hype the results, but, really, it was pretty remarkable to see,” said Dr. Tarnopolsky, himself a middle-aged exerciser. Under a microscope, the volunteers’ skin “looked like that of a much younger person, and all that they had done differently was exercise.”

Make Exercise Happen

Additional Resources:

Trade an hour-long walk on the treadmill for a 20-minute high-intensity workout.
I like the Kettlebell Swing as explained in this video by Lauren Brooks. I like how it quickly gets my heart racing. The form is crucial, so take the time to learn the proper technique.
Fitness from Home by Wellness Mama contains another Kettlebell technique video.

Skin Foods: Topical Treatments to Nourish Your Skin

Saving the best for last.

Don’t forget that our skin is our largest organ and it absorbs what we put on it. Pull out your favorite lotion and read the ingredients list. Do you really want to put that stuff on your skin? If you can’t eat it, don’t ask your skin to eat it.

And, remember, many pharmaceuticals are delivered through skin patches. Connect the dots.

Swap out one of your products for one of the Skin Foods below. Your skin will thank you.

Some of the facial oils and essential oils I use in the various Skin Foods that follow are:

Rosehip Seed Oil. Rosehip Seed Oil is derived from roses and is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and the essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6. I prefer Rosehip seed oil for my face because it is absorbed quickly and leaves no oily residue.

“Rosehip oil is my newest obsession. I confess that I decided to try rosehip oil after learning that Rose Byrne — a.k.a. hilariously awful and beautiful Helen from Bridesmaid — Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Miranda Kerr all use this oil. You have to admit, these ladies have some lovely skin.” – Nadia, Body Unburdened

Other oils that work well on the face: 5 Face Oils for Naturally Clear, Flawless Skin, Body Unburdened for more.

Frankincense Essential Oil. Frankincense oil is a valuable ingredient in skincare products for aging and dry skin. It promotes the regeneration of healthy cells and also keeps existing cells and tissues healthy. It can help eliminate sun spots, remove micro-wrinkles around the eyes and tone and tighten skin.

Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to fight the bacteria causing acne, relieves itching and dryness associated with eczema and tones and firms your skin by boosting circulation and increasing blood flow to supply oxygen and nutrition to skin cells.

Lemon Essential Oil. Lemon oil is astringent and detoxifying in nature to rejuvenate sagging skin, treat pimples and reduce excessive oil on the skin.

Additional Resources

The Top 10 Essential Oils for Skin Care by Nadia from Body Unburdened

Skin Deep by Sally Fallon Morell

Traditional Nourishing and Healing Skin Care, by Andrew J. Gardner

ACTION #14: Make a Batch of Whipped Body Butter for Healthier Skin

Looking for a lotion for your skin that nourishes and rebuilds? Introducing “Whipped Body Butter.”

I used to rub coconut oil into my skin but found it left my skin greasy and with its low melt point, discovered it didn’t travel well in the summer.

I had read about whipped body butter but never thought it worth the effort until a friend shared some with me. I was instantly hooked and once I finally made my own body butter, realized how little time it takes to make and how wonderful it is to use.

Whipped Body Butter Healthy Skin Connection

The highlighted recipes use different combinations of oils and fats. Here are two you may not have heard of:

Shea Butter. “Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree and that is naturally rich in vitamins A, E and F. It offers UV protection (it is SPF ~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. Shea butter has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair.” – Katie, Wellness Mama

Tallow. My favorite. Tallow is the rendered fat of beef, sheep and other ruminant animals. Tallow is uniquely compatible with the biology of our cells and contains abundant natural fat-soluble activators, vitamins A, D, and K, as well as Vitamin E, which are found only in animal fats and which are all necessary for skin health.

By using body butter as a “skin food,” you avoid harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients found in commercial face cleansers and moisturizers.

Make Whipped Body Butter Happen

Additional Resources

21 Shea Butter Benefits and Uses, by Katie from Wellness Mama

Nourishing Tallow Balm with Essential Oils, by Wardee from Traditional Cooking School

Buy tallow-rich balms from:

Buffalo Gal, Grass-Fed Beauty

Vintage Tradition

ACTION #15: Purify Skin and Stimulate Blood Flow with Clay Face Mask

It’s late evening, you’re done with your all obligations for the day and want to treat yourself to something relaxing and beautifying. Add Cleopatra’s secret to your beauty ritual.

Clay Face Mask Healthy Skin Connection

Various healing clays have been used for centuries to beautify and tone the face. Cleopatra used clay from the Nile River as part of her beauty ritual. Roman and Germans used clay pack treatments in their spas. The clays work great for pimples, blackheads and tightening the skin.

I like the quality of clays (soft and finely ground, trusted sources) available from Mountain Rose Herbs though you’ll also find some of these clays at your local natural health food store. As described by Mountain Rose Herbs:

Bentonite Clay. Bentonite clay is from naturally occurring volcanic ash sediments in the United States. It makes an invigorating skin and face mask.

French Green Clay. French green clay has enormous absorbent powers due to the constitution of its micro molecules. It literally “drinks” oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin by bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, revitalizing the complexion, and tightening pores. French Green Clay is marvelous for helping to clear problem skin.

Rhassoul Clay. A truly exquisite Spa quality clay from ancient deposits unearthed from the fertile Atlas mountains of Morocco. Rhassoul is a mineral-rich clay that blends extremely well with water making its application to the face and skin a smooth and delightful experience. High in Silica, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium, this clay is surely one of the finest treasures for the pampering of your skin.

If this shortlist of clays isn’t enough to choose from, you can go high-end and buy The Face Mask, by Alitura, complete with Vitamin C powder and grass-fed Colostrum. I used their list ingredients for inspiration in creating my own mixture. For the cost of two of their 6.9-ounce containers, I have enough supplies for a lifetime of face masks.

Clay Mask Make It Happen

Additional Resources

DIY Detox Clay Mask by Stephanie from Good Girl Gone Green

ACTION #16: Use Oil Cleansing to Remove the Day’s Damaging Debris

What? Clean your face with oil?

You may find yourself tossing all those expensive special cleansers, makeup removers, overnight moisturizers and toners cluttering your bathroom cabinet after you give oil cleansing a try.

It may sound counter-intuitive to rub oil on your face to clean it, but you’re in for a treat.

Oil Cleansing Healthy Skin Connection

As a website dedicated to the oil cleansing method explains:

“The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production.” – Stephanie, The Oil Cleansing Method

My favorite oil to use is coconut oil with other oils and ratios to match skin type discussed in this post:

The Oil Cleansing Method, by Jenni from Jenni RainCloud

Make Cleansing Face Wash Happen

ACTION #17: Apply a DIY Wrinkle & Scar Reducing Oil to Your Face Twice Daily

This is my favorite. Acne scars are fading and patchy skin is slowly smoothing out – Yaa!

The base for this oil is Rosehip Seed Oil. You may find a different oil works best for your skin type. Here’s an article on some other oils that work well:

5 Face Oils for Naturally Clear, Flawless Skin, from Body Unburdened

Your initial outlay may seem like a lot. However, each 1/2 ounce bottle I make lasts a month or two. The 8 oz. bottle of Rosehip Seed oil can be used for at least 16 batches and the essential oils of Frankincense, Lavender and Lemon have many other uses.

DIY Skin Oil Healthy Skin Connection

“Rosehip seed oil is truly amazing. Light amber in color, it is considered a “dry” oil, meaning that it soaks into the skin easily, and does not leave a greasy residue.

This unique oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids and works great in the fight against dry, weathered, and dehydrated skin. It works wonders on scars and is the predominant oil used for treating wrinkles and premature aging.

It is a wonderful hydrator and penetrates dry or damaged skin immediately. This oil may be used straight from the bottle as a moisturizer or can be incorporated into a cream, lotion, facial oil, or massage oil. Because it is so gentle, rosehip seed oil may be used undiluted on the skin.” – Rosehip Seed Oil Profile, Mountain Rose Herbs

DIY Wrinkle & Scar Reducing Oil Make It Happen

Additional Resources

Why Rosehip Seed Oil is My Skincare Superstar (Health Benefits and Uses), by Nicole from Pumps and Iron

Thanks for Making It to the End – May Your Skin Positively Glow!

Remember! Do NOT attempt to do everything on this list. Pick the ONE item that stands out. Start small.
And…
Habit Stack

To Habit Stack, pick a habit that is already ingrained into your day and stack the action item you selected onto it.

For example, if you want to implement “Bulletproof Your Morning Drink with a Spoonful of Gelatin,” here’s how you can Habit Stack it.

I was having the hardest time consuming 1 tablespoon of gelatin twice a day. It wasn’t until I added it to my “drop my son off at school habit/routine” that I was able to Make It Happen. When I come home, I go directly to my kitchen and make my gelatin-rich tea which I then take up to my office to sip as I begin my workday.

It’s now automatic. I don’t have to think about it.

Pick ONE.

Habit Stack.

Make It Happen.

Share in the Comments section the one tip you aim to put into action. A little accountability might help.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API