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WORK UP A SWEAT FOR YOUR SKIN

Sweat your way to radiance: detoxify, rejuvenate, and glow with nature’s finest skincare

Sweating is a natural bodily function that is often associated with physical exertion and exercise, rather than its true key role in keeping our skin youthful, dewy and firm. 

In fact, there are many skin health and whole body benefits to sweating beyond the cooling of the body and regulation of temperature that it gets its reputation for. 

We asked Goldfaden MD’s Wellness Expert Alyssa Switzer, a dancer, yoga teacher and endurance trainer, why sweating is so good for skin health and the mechanisms that make it so.

Unclog Pores

One of the most noticeable ways in which sweating benefits the skin is by helping to unclog pores. Our skin is exposed to a variety of pollutants (such as dirt, oil and bacteria), which can accumulate in the pores and cause inflammation and breakouts. When we sweat, our pores open up, allowing these impurities to be released from the skin. This cleansing process is an effective way to keep the skin clean and prevent acne and other skin issues.

Hydration

Sweating can also help hydrate the skin. Sweat is made up of water, salt and other minerals that help moisturize and nourish the skin. This is particularly beneficial for people with dry skin or conditions such as eczema, which can cause the skin to become rough and flaky. By sweating, we are providing our skin with a natural source of hydration, which can help to make it look and feel healthier.

Removed Toxins

Furthermore, sweating can aid in removing toxins from the body that can damage the skin and cause premature aging. When toxins build up in the skin, they can cause inflammation, dullness and other signs of aging. By sweating, our body can eliminate these toxins and promote healthy skin cell turnover, which can help to keep our skin looking younger and more vibrant.

Circulate Blood Flow

In addition to these benefits, sweating can also help circulate blood flow to the skin. When we sweat, our blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood to flow to the skin’s surface. This increased blood flow can deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, which can help to support collagen production. Collagen is a protein that is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness, and its production naturally declines as we age. By boosting collagen production, sweating can help promote firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

However, it is important to note that excessive sweating can have negative effects on the skin if left unmanaged. Excessive sweating without cleansing can lead to skin irritation, rashes and breakouts. It’s essential to maintain proper hygiene and a good skincare routine to prevent skin problems. Following your workouts, it’s key to remove the impurities you’ve just sweated out from your skin as soon as possible. Wash your face and body using a gentle cleanser such as Goldfaden’s Pure Start. You can skip exfoliating after a workout to avoid potential irritation.

In conclusion, sweating is an excellent way to promote healthy, radiant and youthful-looking skin. By unclogging pores, hydrating the skin, removing toxins and boosting blood flow, sweating can have numerous positive effects on our skin health. Just remember to give your skin a nice, refreshing cleanse afterward.

About Alyssa

Alyssa is a dancer, yoga teacher and high performance and endurance trainer, which is why she believes understanding and healing the body is of the utmost importance. Her passion for movement, nourishing foods, performance, and physical & mental health are constantly growing and evolving. Whether through her yoga teaching or training, Alyssa will bring you to places within yourself where deep change and healing can occur.

 

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What A Clean Lifestyle Means for Dr. Goldfaden—Plus Tips to Inspire Your Own

When it comes to leading a clean lifestyle (which includes naturally derived skincare products from Goldfaden MD, of course!) Dr. Goldfaden truly practices what he preaches—and has been doing just that for decades.

In this Q&A, you’ll get to know just how much Dr. Goldfaden prioritizes living healthily and holistically. This proactive way of living has enabled him to be a leading dermatologist for over five decades—not to mention a wonderful role model for his children, grandchildren, and the thousands of people who have sought his expertise at his practice and via Goldfaden MD.

Why do you prioritize naturally sourced foods?

As a family, we grew up eating organic food, lots of raw vegetables, and high-quality animal proteins and fats. My wife and I also took care to instill the value of a clean diet (and other clean/healthy living considerations, including but not limited to physical fitness) in our children.

Naturally sourced, whole foods (meaning they aren’t processed and are free from pesticides and hormones) have the ability to offer a higher percentage of nutrients, vitamins, and key antioxidants. That’s because there are no unnecessary preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics that can prevent the beneficial ingredients from leaving that specific product. An additional benefit is that they also allow for peak freshness of foods.

Moreover, eating a diet of fresh, naturally grown/raised whole foods is scientifically linked to decreasing the risk of disease and increasing life span.

What are the primary ingredients people should avoid in food?

High fructose corn syrup, gluten, and artificial colors are often the worst offenders.

The worst offenders I want to flag include:

  • Processed foods
  • Sugar and high fructose corn syrup
  • Gluten
  • Artificial colors

In some cases, dairy (which, among other red flags, often includes countless hormones you don’t want in your body) is another trigger that can negatively impact your health as well as your skin.

How does a clean diet also equate to healthier skin?

What we put into our bodies is just as important as what we are putting on our skin. Being aware of what you put in and on your body is crucial, as the skin showcases the nutrients from both an internal and external standpoint.

What clean beauty retailers and brands do you recommend?

Credo Beauty and goop are both respected leaders in the clean beauty space. In particular, Credo is a wonderful resource for education on what clean beauty is (and isn’t). Moreover, I admire the work they do on building, promoting, and upholding the Credo Clean Standard for all brands they carry—with Goldfaden MD among them.

As far as clean beauty/makeup brands go, I’d like to call out Ilia, Alima Pure, PYT, and RMS.

Dietary and skin considerations aside, what are other simple ways to lead a cleaner lifestyle?

To avoid unnecessary and undesired exposure to chemicals that can be toxic or harmful—or at the very least can elicit some kind of reactivity—it is also worth switching to clean products to use around the home. I particularly recommend household cleaning supplies from Mrs. Meyers and Branch Basics.

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The Best Foods for Healthy Skin

Sure, we all want healthy, glowing skin. But aside from stocking your bathroom shelves with dermatologist-developed clean skincare products, is your diet helping you conquer your complexion goals?

Of course, it’s not only important what you put onto your skin; how you nourish your body also largely factors into getting that elusive glow.

While we’ve discussed the benefits of supplements and other ingestibles before, let’s look at what foods you should add to your next grocery haul.

What Nutrients Are Good for Healthy Skin and Why?

Healthy skin is hydrated, balanced, and protected with the right nutrients.

It should come as no surprise that some of your go-to skincare active ingredients are also incredible for your complexion when you include them in your diet.

Here’s a closer look at some familiar nutrients that nourish your skin both inside and out, plus how exactly they promote skin health:

  • Antioxidants (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and selenium): promote glowing skin, fight free radicals, protect against aging and cell damage
  • Collagen: reduces wrinkle formation, supports youthful-looking skin
  • Hyaluronic acid: provides hydration, plumps skin
  • Omega fatty acids: evens out skin tone, protects against UV damage

5 of the Best Foods for Healthy Skin

To complement your skincare regimen, here are some of the best foods to eat for healthy skin.

Pomegranate Juice

Remember the major pomegranate juice boom from a few years back? This darkly pigmented, tart drink still deserves its place in the spotlight due to its high antioxidant content. Not only is it one of the richest dietary sources of vitamin C—ideal for both pro-aging and immune-boosting benefits—but pomegranate juice also packs skin-protecting vitamin E and anti-inflammatory polyphenols.

Other antioxidant-rich foods: citrus fruits, berries, green tea

Bone Broth

Derived from animal sources like cows and chickens, bone broth is rich in both hyaluronic acid (a hydration powerhouse) and collagen (a protein with multiple pro-aging benefits). Whether you sip it on its own, include it as a soup/stew base, or cook grains with it, bone broth is arguably one of the very best foods for healthy skin.

Other foods that support hyaluronic acid production: sweet potatoes, leafy greens, tomatoes

Salmon

Salmon is among the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote smooth, even, hydrated skin. They can also help tame redness and reduce the severity of breakouts. Omega-3s are considered “essential” fatty acids since the body can’t produce them on their own.

Also, it’s worth noting that the perpetually youthful Victoria Beckham eats salmon every day. (If she’s not the perfect spokesperson for higher fatty acid intake, I don’t know who is!) But if a daily serving sounds like overkill, the American Heart Association recommends eating it twice weekly.

Otherwise, you can also look for a high-quality omega-3 supplement.

Other omega-rich fatty fish: sardines, albacore tuna, mackerel

Avocados

Luckily, this food favorite isn’t just delicious and nutritious, but also super beneficial for your skin. Avocados are a good source of vitamins C and E, the benefits of which we explored earlier. They’re also among the top dietary sources of healthy fat, which can boost skin elasticity. They may also protect against sun damage and resulting inflammation.

Tip: For your next brunch date, consider opting for a salmon avocado toast to make your skin and taste buds sing.

Other foods rich in healthy fats: extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds

Red Wine

Talk about saving the best for last! Rumor has long had it that red wine is good for your heart, but the same compounds behind that claim can also encourage better skin health. Red wine is rich in polyphenols—particularly resveratrol—which protects your skin and body alike against accelerated aging spurred by free radical damage.

Yet remember, excessive alcohol intake can, among other things, actually rob your skin of its luster. So moderation is key when it comes to reaping red wine’s skin benefits. One glass here and there should do the trick to get glowing while winding down.

Other foods with polyphenols: dark chocolate, cloves, chestnuts

Final Thoughts

Just as you opt for clean ingredients to boost your complexion, it’s equally important to prioritize skin and overall health alike with a healthy diet. When you feel good, you look good—and eating more of the right foods can help you achieve both.

Beautiful, hydrated, healthy skin may be an ideal, yet it’s completely within reach with the right inside-out regimen. And while this isn’t an exhaustive list of the best foods for healthy skin—luckily, there are many!—it’s a great starting point to love (and show love to) the skin you’re in.

Author Bio
Michele Ross is a beauty and lifestyle writer based in Los Angeles. She’s passionate about clean skincare and hiking in the California sunshine (with adequate SPF, of course).

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