When we’re younger, we don’t think too much about our skin. You can spend all day in the sun, sleep with your makeup on, forget to drink water, and it still looks plump and youthful. Unfortunately, that won’t last forever.
As adults, we learn that our skin health should be prioritized, not only with the products we use, but also with our diet and lifestyle choices. Afterall, the key to healthy skin starts with what we put in our bodies.
If you are looking to improve upon your holistic skincare routine, consider emphasizing collagen, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants in your diet.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein that makes up the main components of our body’s connective tissue, specifically our skin, tendons, ligaments, and muscles [1].
Although our bodies make collagen, we produce less as we age. This can cause a loss in our skin’s integrity and moisture, leading to visible wrinkles and fine lines.
Numerous research studies have found that taking supplemental collagen can help to boost collagen production which can improve hydration and elasticity of our skin for a more youthful glow [2].
In addition to improvements in the appearance of our skin, collagen supplements have been linked to improvements in joint pain and bone health [3, 4].
Hyaluronic Acid
Highly regarded as the holy grail of skincare, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring compound found in our body’s connective tissue. Like collagen, we produce less as we age.
The results? Dry, wrinkle-prone skin.
HA is known for its water-binding abilities. In fact, HA can bind up to 1000x its weight in water, which can help to keep your skin hydrated and plump while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles [5].
While you can get HA from topical skincare products, there are also many benefits to taking HA as a dietary supplement. By increasing HA production in the body, you are able to get the same anti-wrinkle effects as topical forms along with additional benefits such as reducing joint pain and inflammation [6, 7].
Antioxidants
When it comes to diet and skincare, we cannot forget about antioxidants. These free-radical fighting compounds found in plants can help to slow down cell damage associated with aging [8].
Like HA, there are many topical forms of antioxidants popular in skincare products, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and retinoids; however, consuming a diet rich in antioxidants may be more effective.
Our body is exposed to damaging free radicals from many different sources including environmental, such as pollution, dietary, such as consuming highly processed food items or excessive alcohol intake, and our lifestyle choices, such as smoking cigarettes and having excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun.
Antioxidants can help to protect against some of these damaging free radicals.
Additionally, antioxidants can help to improve hydration, stimulate collagen production, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles [9].
The Power of Combining All Three
Collagen, HA, and antioxidants all play different roles that improve the health and appearance of our beloved epidermis. So, instead of choosing which one you think may be best, consider including all three.
This powerful trio of ingredients can give your skin a major nutritional boost that can help to improve skin elasticity, hydration, and overall appearance. You’ll be looking like your early college self in no time.
When combining this skin-loving trio, be sure to choose a product that contains high quality ingredients and research-backed doses, such as our Ella daily beauty protein powder.
With grass-fed hydrolyzed collagen peptides, 100mg of HA, and antioxidants such as zinc, biotin, and vitamin C, your skincare routine just got a whole lot more effective.
A Holistic Skincare Routine
To revamp your holistic skincare routine, consider the following.
Ella Beauty Protein
Start your morning off with a dose of Ella Daily Beauty protein powder to ensure you are getting in a hearty dose of skin-loving ingredients straight from the get-go. This powder can be easily mixed into shakes, smoothies, baked goods, and more.
Natural Skincare Products
The next step in your skincare routine should be your topical products. Be sure to choose natural skin care products that are free of harsh, artificial ingredients.
The most important skincare products in any regimen include a gentle face wash, a high-quality sunscreen, and a good moisturizer.
A Healthy Sleep Routine
Last, but certainly not least, prioritize your sleep. It may not seem like sleep would make a difference in your skin health but it actually has a great impact.
Sleep is a time for your body to rest and recover. During sleep, our blood flow increases so that we can deliver more nutrients to our skin. It’s also a time that collagen production is increased and our body is hard at work repairing any UV damage from the daytime.
Aim to get at least 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep every night. Because beauty rest is very real [10, 11].
Other Factors that Impact Skin Health
In addition to those mentioned above, other important factors that affect our skin health include our diet, the presence of inflammation, and stress.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays a huge role in the health of, not just our body and mind, but also our physical appearance. Consuming a diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can give us a hearty dose of valuable antioxidants and other essential nutrients that our body needs to function at its best.
Inflammation
Inflammation can also affect the health and appearance of our skin. While the cause of inflammation is multifactorial, lifestyle factors are among one of the main contributors. A poor diet high in processed foods, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and excessive sun exposure can raise inflammation while also reducing the production of collagen.
Stress
Our mental health is another important consideration for our skin health. Chronic stress releases hormones that can cause collagen to break down which can speed up the aging process, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles [12].
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a boost in your skincare routine, don’t settle for just one product. Look for ways to boost collagen, HA, and antioxidants in your daily routine, such as taking Naked Nutrition’s Ella Daily Beauty protein powder. Your skin will thank you. Because no one wants to look older than they actually are.
