Get glowing from the inside out with our 3 tips to enhance your natural beauty!
Did you know problematic skin is often a sign of an unhealthy gut?? Breakouts, dryness, red blotchy skin, dull skin, dark circles… you name it, can be your gastrointestinal (GI) tract’s way of saying “S.O.S.”! This is because the entire immune system is housed in the gut, so when defenses are low, problems may literally pop up on your skin.
From the food you put in your body to the food you use on your skin, by making some simple upgrades in your daily routine, you can get feeling beautiful from the inside and out!
Here are our top 3 tips to enhance your beauty naturally, plus a bonus that you won’t want to miss.
Tip 1: Eat and Wear Your Greens
Spirulina is an algae that is harvested from salt water lakes and is one of our favorite superfoods. It’s not only one of the oldest forms of food on the planet, but it is also the most nutrient dense superfood. It even has more protein than meat, fish, poultry or soybeans. Plus it contains a TON of vitamins and is super rich in iron.
Spirulina can be taken as a supplement, added to your smoothies or even be easily hidden in a yummy chocolate truffle!
Our favorite tip is to use it as a face mask to get rid of dark under eye cirlces. Mix about 1 tsp of spirulina with a few drops of water to make a paste. Put this paste under your eyes for about 20 minutes. It helps to pull toxins from the skin and can actually increase skin metabolism, making your skin look and feel better.
Tip 2: Heal Your GI Tract with Collagen and Aloe
Collagen has made a name for itself in the health food world with good reason – it is incredible medicine for the GI tract. It looks like an off- white powder, similar to how a protein powder might look. Collagen includes the same amino acids that make up our stomach and GI tract, which makes is so supportive in the healing process. And when it comes to beauty, this stuff is truly incredible for beauty on the outside too. It makes up 70% of the protein in the skin. It supports elasticity and helps make the hair and nails strong.
Our second favorite food to heal the GI tract is aloe. Of course we have all heard of it, but have you ever ingested it? Aloe is known for being cooling and anti-inflammatory. If you have GI issues, it’s safe to say you are dealing with some level of inflammation. Aloe combats inflammation with its calming and soothing properties. It’s also an adaptogen, which means it boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness. Aloe is great if your digestion is a little slow, as it can help move things along. Try our Green Glowing Smoothie; besides healing your skin from the inside out, this smoothie packs 17 grams of protein!
DIY Cleanse Green Glowing Smoothie
1 banana
2 tablespoons collagen powder
2 tablespoons aloe vera juice
1 tablespoon spirulina powder
¼ cup blueberries
½ cup coconut water
Blend and enjoy!
Tip 3: Get More Magnesium on Your Skin and in Your Body!
Most Americans are deficient in this nutrient, and don’t even know it. And in fact, the more stress you have in your life, the more magnesium you need in your body. Stress tends to leach all the magnesium from your body. So, here is an incredible way to replenish after a long day.
Add 2 oz magnesium oil to your bath at night. The magnesium is absorbed through your skin, and is immediately calming and relaxing. Not to mention, this will improve your quality of sleep ten fold. Add in 1 cup of Epsom salts and some lavender essential oils, and you’ll be as close to bliss as you can be. If you don’t have time for a bath, try making a spray with the oil and some water. Spray on your feet before bed, and you will sleep so much better!
OR you can just eat more foods that are rich in Magnesium…and you know what that means? Drum roll please… Here is the much awaited bonus tip: MORE CHOCOLATE! Well, specifically more CACAO!
Cacao actually boosts your levels of serotonin (that feel good neurotransmitter that makes us feel joy and happiness). It is also packed with antioxidants that are known for preventing premature aging. And not only that, they can help you shed those unwanted pounds. This is because cacao is high in what is called an MAO inhibitor, and that can shrink your appetite.
We love adding raw cacao nibs to salads, and they are even dreamier alongside a chocolate balsamic dressing.
It’s no lie that you are what you eat! What are your favorite ways to enhance your beauty naturally? Share your beauty-foodie tips with the DIY Cleanse community in the comments below!
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