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4 Pillars of Skin Health & And the Products to Help You Achieve It

Depending on who you ask, glowing, radiant skin is priceless. But when it comes to the wonderful world of skincare, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the plethora of products at your disposal. That said, if you’re new to skincare or otherwise want to simplify your routine, there are a few tried-and-true staples you’ll always want on hand.

If your goal is to know which types of products deserve prime real estate on your bathroom shelf, consider this your ultimate guide to skincare essentials.

4 Essential Steps for a Simplified Skincare Routine

Exfoliate

Sometimes overlooked yet essential nonetheless, exfoliating just might be the magical step that’s missing in your current skincare routine.

Simply put, the benefits of exfoliating are plenty. (And, if you ask me, they’re too good to pass up.) Among many things, exfoliating:

  • clears away dead skin cells
  • promotes skin cell turnover
  • smooths skin
  • evens tone
  • boosts radiance
  • helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines
  • allows other products to penetrate better and work more effectively

Luckily, there are different options to choose from when it comes to finding the best exfoliator for you.

First, there are physical exfoliators that manually polish your complexion. Remember to exfoliate gently with only light pressure.

If you prefer to go this route, make sure to choose an exfoliating scrub with perfectly round exfoliants—rather than jagged shells that can inflame the skin, or plastic microbeads that can threaten the environment—such as the ruby crystals in our Doctor’s Scrub. (Bonus: The Doctor’s Scrub also contains hydrating powerhouse hyaluronic acid and moisturizing jojoba oil.)

P.S.: Don’t forget that all your skin could use some love, too! Add on the Doctor’s Body Scrub for smooth, glowing skin from head to toe.

Second, there are chemical exfoliators that polish your skin with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and/or fruit enzymes. Personally, we love lactic acid for its gentle yet still potent properties. Luckily, lactic acid also happens to be one of the best exfoliators for sensitive skin. You can find it alongside citrus fruit enzymes in Fresh A Peel, which promotes a fresh, youthful glow—sans irritation. (Note: You’d use this type of exfoliating treatment only after cleansing.)

Cleanse

Cleansing is arguably the most important step in any skincare routine.

A good cleanser is your best bet to remove surface oils, dirt, and impurities from both daily and overnight buildup. After washing your face with a high-quality cleanser, you’ll have a clear, fresh canvas that’ll allow the next products to work their magic.

For a gentle, gel-based cleanser that’ll delight your skin and senses alike, Pure Start is your best bet. For those who are acne-prone, we also have the Detox Clarifying Facial Wash with a blend of exfoliating AHAs and antioxidants for a deeper clean.

Treat

This all-important step in your routine is all about you and will be specific to your unique skin concerns.

Such concerns may include:

  • blemishes
  • dryness
  • fine lines and wrinkles
  • hyperpigmentation
  • an uneven, dull skin tone

Daily, semi-weekly, or weekly treatments are your best allies to supercharge progress to achieve your biggest skin goals.

As far as products go, skincare treatments often come in the form of a serum or oil. They’ll typically contain a concentrated amount of active ingredients to address your areas of concern.

When choosing the best specialized treatments for your skin, here’s a quick primer with a few star ingredients to look out for:

  • hyaluronic acid for dry or dehydrated skin
  • retinol for rejuvenation and anti-aging
  • alpha arbutin for natural lightening of dark spots
  • antioxidants (such as CoQ10 and vitamins C and E) for brightness and protection from free radicals

Apply your treatment after cleansing and allow it to absorb fully before moving on to the next step of your simplified skincare routine.

Hydrate & Moisturize

Last but not least, hydrating and moisturizing products will keep your skin fresh and promote a healthy skin barrier.

To clarify, hydrators (aka humectants) help from within to infuse your skin cells with water. Meanwhile, moisturizers (aka occlusives) lock in the moisture you’ve achieved thus far.

Both provide a necessary one-two punch to encourage a fresh, glowing complexion both throughout the day and into the night. After all, if you’ve made it this far into your skincare routine, your progress will be for naught if your skin gets parched or goes unprotected.

Some people may prefer nourishing their skin with an oil alone, like Fleuressence, which replenishes hydration and softens skin with omega fatty acids. Otherwise, a tried-and-true moisturizer, such as Vital Boost, can provide a brightening glow for all skin types.

To get even more granular, you can also use a moisturizer tailored to your skin concerns. Additionally, you may choose to use a richer formula, such as the Plant Profusion Night Cream, to boost moisture and radiance even further while you get your beauty sleep.

Final Thoughts

For those who are new to skincare or simply want to pare down their shelves to the essentials, these four pillars get the job done to inch you closer to your ideal of great skin. (And don’t forget, applying SPF daily is the ultimate insurance policy for skin protection.)

It’s also worth noting that when you revamp your skincare routine, you should integrate only one new product at a time for at least two weeks. A more ideal time frame would be a month, which will permit a full cycle for skin cells to turn over. Doing so will allow you to witness progress in the making, as well as understand which new products yield results.

Finally, once your skin starts to improve, you’ll probably start to wonder what other goodies you’ve been missing out on. (I’m talking mists, masks, eye creams, and the like.) As terrific as these other products are, start first with the basics and then feel free to work your way up.

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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Bright Beginnings for 2021

Coming out of 2020 we are all focused on new beginnings and forward-moving roads – paving a new reality and brighter days ahead. Looking back on one of the most difficult years in modern history, many of us had to retrench, re-budget, rethink, and remind ourselves that though this won’t go on forever, some of these adjustments will be permanent.

As a brand, 2020 was centered around how to evolve and adapt to a new environment in order to continue to meet our customer’s needs. With the closure of retail spanned globally, we turned our focus inwards and went back to one of our basic fundamental strategies – one-to-one customer service. Through the bespoke creations and customized at-home self-care kits and cozy offerings to adhere to the needs of consumers’ new environment (a la at home) alongside personalized virtual consultations and events, it has allowed us to dial in directly to our customers and create meaningful interactions despite the restrictions that we had all faced. We all long for connection and beauty, at the core, offers a deep-rooted connection that helps to enhance one’s wellbeing and boost confidence. It’s the celebration of one-self.

In August we launched our Body Collection, a brand-new category for us, with much success. 2021 will be focused on continuing to provide our community with cutting edge education from Dr. G, plant-based efficacious products and social interaction with our online community. On the horizon, we are extremely excited about our next big launch-all I can say is “our lips are sealed”.

On a personal level, 2020 presented some of the most challenging hardships but also some of the brightest silver linings. “I learned that slowing down is okay. I spent most of 2019/2018 and the first two months of 2020 on a plane working in different countries, and while I miss that aspect of my job, I have gotten to spend otherwise ‘missed’ time with my family. During the time when we were locked inside, I somehow grew closer to old, dear friends and my family and for that, I am forever grateful. Heading into 2021 I feel very hopeful for our country, our health, and our world.” Lisa Goldfaden

“As someone who thrived on moving life forward, this year forced me to create more balance in my life – a true test on having to figure out the best way to manage until we are all out of these rough waters. A reminder that it’s not necessarily about getting to a destination; it’s about holding on and managing until everything calms down and living and pivoting in the moment.” Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden

Wishing everyone love, peace and health in 2021.

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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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