How to Have Flawless Skin

I am regularly asked how I get my “flawless skin.” I appreciate the compliment and I am pleased to share my secrets, such as they are.  After all, the skin is the largest organ of the body, and its health both affects and reflects our overall health.

Certainly, a healthy lifestyle is the foundation for healthy skin, and I practice what I preach:

The Dos:

• I eat well, including huge quantities of fresh organic produce, and lots of foods with healthy fat, including nuts and seeds, avocados, coconut oil, and olives.
• I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, and almost never get less than 7.
• I drink a lot of clean filtered water, herbal tea, fresh green juice, and Kombucha
• I have a sweaty and vigorous one hour Ashtanga yoga practice 5 or 6 times a week. Never underestimate the cleansing power of a drenching sweat, a good organ-massaging twist or a five minute headstand.

The Don’ts:

• No coffee
• No soda, other than seltzer
• No alcohol
• Minimal sugar
• Minimal processed food

If much of that is pretty foreign to you, you might want to start out your skin rejuvenation program with my Customized 21 Day Detox. You will notice a significant improvement in your skin.

I also detox myself regularly using kinesiology, just as I do in sessions, as well as coffee enemas and nutritional supplements. Supplements for skin need to be customized, but can include zinc, anti-oxidants, B vitamins, along with some healthy fat, choosing from among fish oils and plant oils.

Products alone won’t give you gorgeous skin. But the right products help support and enhance the appearance of healthy skin, and keep it looking its best as we age.  And there are several I just wouldn’t be without.  Here are my 3 favorites.

• Skin Protect This remarkable product was developed by one of the best herbalists I know.  It is designed to not only protect against cellular damage and inflammation, but actually repair it as well.  It is formulated with phytonutrients, liposomal nutritional compounds, unique fatty acids and essential oils.  I recommend it to everyone, but particularly to anyone who is concerned with sun damage, lines, wrinkles, discoloration, loss of elasticity, and/or at risk for skin cancer.  You can buy this through my office for $22 for 1 ounce.  Apply lightly twice a day, or more frequently if you are in the sun.
• Derma Q-Gel I have been using this moisturizer for more years than I can remember.  It is rich, nourishing, non-greasy, feels great, and is so soothing and pampering for your skin.  I use it twice a day, after Skin Protect.  You can buy this from my office for $23 or from Amazon

When luxuriating in the bath (with 2 cups of white vinegar, a few drops of lavender and either Epsom Salts for detox and relaxation or Baking Soda for detox and alkalinizing – all great for your skin) I sometimes slather on a mask of pure coconut oil, either this or this.
• I also use an exfoliating 2% BHA Lotion from Paula’s Choice.  Her sun blocks are great, too, both the SPF 15 and 30. They don’t irritate my eyes (often a problem with contact lenses) and don’t feel greasy or heavy on my face or body.

As for commercial products, I do like two from Olay Regenerist. I don’t use these as often, or as regularly, and I don’t feel, like the products above, I wouldn’t want to live without them, but I do like having them as part of my armamentarium.

So that’s it: the secrets of my glowing healthy skin.  And thanks again for the compliment!

I am regularly asked how I get my “flawless skin”.  I appreciate the compliments and am pleased to share my secrets, such as they are.

Certainly, a healthy lifestyle is the foundation for healthy skin, and I practice what I preach:

The do’s:

• I eat well, including huge quantities of fresh organic produce, and lots of foods with healthy fat, including nuts, avocados, coconut oil and olives.

• I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

• I drink a lot of water, herbal tea, fresh green juice, and a little green tea and Kombucha

• I have a sweaty and vigorous one hour Ashtanga yoga practice 5 or 6 times a week

The don’t’s:

• no coffee

• no soda, other than seltzer

• no alcohol

• minimal sugar

• minimal processed food

I also detox myself regularly, using kinesiology, just as I do in sessions with clients, and I use selected nutritional supplements.  Supplements for skin need to be customized, but can include zinc, anti-oxidants, B vitamins, as well as a base of a good food-based multi-vitamin, calcium, magnesium, and Omega 3s.

Products alone won’t give you gorgeous skin.  Skin is a reflection of your overall health.  But the right products help support and enhance the appearance of healthy skin, and keep it looking its best as we age.

For excellent skin care products, I am happy to recommend Paula’s Choice. The author of seven books, and known as “the cosmetics cop”, Paula’s mission is to both to educate consumers on the frauds behind much of the beauty industry and to provide effective and economical products herself.  Her website offers a wealth of information.  I have used many of her products for many years, and am happy to recommend some of my favorites below.  Or you can take a look at her bestsellers .

Here are some of Paula’s products I depend on:
Exfoliating 2% BHA Lotion & Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer for my face
Skin Revealing Body Lotion for my body
Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15 & Antioxidants

Her sun blocks are great, too, both the SPF 15 and 30. They don’t irritate my eyes (often a problem with contact lenses) and don’t feel greasy or heavy on my face or body.  Paula also offers makeup, accessories and hair care products.  You can see her bestsellers here.

By the way, Paula never tests on animals, and supports many animal-centered charities.  She uses recycled and recyclable packaging.