One of the many perks of my job is the opportunity I get to travel to new destinations and experience new cultures throughout the year. I’m beyond grateful for these experiences, but as with everything in life, they do come at a cost. The biggest cost of all is how it affects my skin.
Our skin can often be one of our most neglected areas, despite it being the largest organ on our body. We do, after all, live in it!
Aside from theitchy, dry skinthat air conditioning on long-haul flights can cause, my skin is constantly exposed to new and often harsh environments when away. This means humidity, dry weather, rain — you name it.
Over the years, I’ve really started to take care of my skin. And I’ve noticed a massive difference when I began to look at things from the inside out. Aside from caring for your skin on the surface, often the biggest change can be seen once you start fueling your skin cells from the inside.
Here are a few tips for getting your skin to glow from the inside out!
We all know the saying, “You are what you eat.” But so few of us really take the time to actually understand and appreciate how the food we put in our bodies affects our overall health, energy, and appearance.
The best way to truly get your skin to glow from the inside out is by ensuring that you’re eating a variety ofsuperfoods. Vitamin C is apowerful superfood and antioxidant. It’s needed to maintain a strong immune system and is a key ingredient in giving you healthy, radiant skin.
Thankfully, it isn’t too difficult to find it in many fruits and vegetables! Besides oranges, you can also get good amounts of vitamin C in blueberries, papaya, strawberries, kiwi, and even sweet potatoes! One easy way to add some of these to your diet is to mix some blueberries in with yogurt or cereal at breakfast.
Foods high in healthy fats such asavocado, nuts, and seeds can also provide a plethora of benefits — plus they keep you fuller for longer!
One way I’ve managed to make sure I getenough waterper day — 13 cups for men, 9 cups for women — is to always have two 1-liter bottles of water in the fridge that I sip from throughout the day. Once I’m done with both of them, I know that between those and whatever else I’ve had to drink, my daily water intake is good for the day. And my skin is well-nourished!
Coconut water
A fairly new discovery for me has also been coconut water. Coconut water has intense hydrating properties and is also
It’s safe to say that I’m now well and truly addicted — and in good company, as I know Victoria Beckham is a fan, too!
Fresh juices
Juices and smoothies are also great for gettingvarious nutrientsin one healthy serving. The vitamins and nutrients they contain are good for healing your skin and maintaining its health. To avoid preservatives and added sugars — which canwreak havocon the skin — try making your own rather than buying from the store.
Yes, most creams and ointments are technically both topical — but only the very best products revitalize your skin from the inside out, so it’s worth investing in those you know will penetrate the skin and get to work from the inside out!
Try using masks
Masks can be a great way to provide much-needed hydration, penetrating deep within to draw out excess oils, clear away dead skin, and boost moisture.
One of my favorite masking brands isGlamGlow, as they have a plethora of skin-loving products which cater to a variety of skin types. I’m often cynical about the notion of a product transforming your skin, but after the first use of theSuperMud Clearing Treatmentmask, my skin looked noticeably more radiant and had a definite glow.
Remember that your face isn’t uniform
GlamGlow are also huge advocates of the multi-masking trend, which encourages you to pinpoint which areas of your complexion might have different needs. For example, many of us suffer from oily T-zones, but dry cheeks — so it’s worth catering to each individual area to really make the most of your pamper time and achieve that much coveted ‘glow’.
Pay attention to the seasons
Your skin changes throughout the year, just like the seasons. So what works for you in the summer, often isn’t going to be the best remedy for the winter.
As is often the case, we need a more hydrating and intensemoisturizerfor the winter months, when the cold makes our skin dryer, and a lighter moisturizer for the summer. Ideally, with an SPF to protect our skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun.
For winter, I’d recommendNeal’s Yard Remedies Almond Moisturizer, which is vitamin rich and perfect for easily irritated skin. With a blend of sweet almond and evening primrose oils, it helps to tone, balance, and protect your skin, while also banishing dryness.
To banish those pesky dry flakes on our body, tryLola’s Apothecary Orange Patisserie Warming Body Souffle. Not only does it smell good enough to eat, with notes of orange drizzle cake and warm ginger and vanilla spices, but it’s also very nourishing: it contains coconut butter, which is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids!
For the warmer months, I’d recommend theLancer Sheer Fluid Sun Shieldmoisturizer which contains SPF30, a must! Coveted by the likes ofVictoria Beckham, Lancer’s skin care range is incredibly hydrating, bringing your skin back to a perfect equilibrium. It’s also not too heavy feeling on your skin, so it’s perfect for taking away on your travels!
Wear sheet masks
Air conditioning on long-haul flights can be damaging to the skin, and leave your skin feeling extremely dry and tight when you step off the plane. However, since I’ve discovered sheet masks, my whole skin care travel routine has changed!
Sheet masks are a little bit less messy than regular masks, as they are already saturated in powerful skin-loving ingredients. All you need to do is pop them onto your face and leave them for 10-15 minutes so it can absorb all of the good stuff. I love theEstée Lauder Double Wear 3 Minute Priming Moisture Mask, which offers nourishment and hydration for clean, smooth, and clear skin.
Rather than dealing with the struggle of decanting my bottles to meet the liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage, it’s so much easier to just get comfy, put on a sheet mask, and sit back and relax while watching a film.
Use the right oils for your skin
No one wants to have oily skin, but that doesn’t mean natural oils can’t play a role in keeping our skin healthy. I useEmma Hardie’s Brilliance Facial Oilin the evening so that the hard-working formula can work to repair my skin while I sleep. It smells absolutely beautiful and with nine essential oils including lavender, it is perfect for helping you drift off. You can mix in your oil with a nighttime moisturizer to provide a protective barrier against the cold, harsh air.
If you have dry, flaky skin that reacts to the changing weather, look out for Hyaluronic acid on the ingredients list of any product you use, as it can leave your skin feeling oh so radiant after clearing away all those pesky dry flakes. One of my favorites is the Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum, which comes in its purest form and targets dehydration, dullness, and fine lines without irritating sensitive skin.
For full body radiance, my go-to is Lola’s Apothecary, who offer an incredible range of sensual, calming, and fragrant oils to take care of your skin.The Delicate Romance Balancing Body and Massage Oilcontains 30 percentrosehip oil, which helps to reduce stretch marks, age spots, and fine lines, as well as Argan oil, which boosts radiance and improves skin texture. It’s a rather versatile bathroom staple because you can use it for face, body, hair, and nails. Plus, it smells absolutely incredible, with notes of sweet orange, vanilla, lemon, and rose!
Regardless of how old you are or what your lifestyle is, it’s important to make a conscious effort to look after your skin. The skin you live in is yours forever, so take the time to treat it well. In return, it will take care of you!
Scarlett Dixon is a U.K.-based journalist, lifestyle blogger, and YouTuber who runs networking events in London for bloggers and social media experts. She has a keen interest in speaking out about anything that might be deemed taboo, and a lengthy bucket list. She’s also a keen traveler and is passionate about sharing the message that IBS doesn’t have to hold you back in life! Visit her at herwebsiteand Twitter@Scarlett_London.