If you’ve spent years suffering from relentless skin conditions, from acne to eczema, then you need to start the New Year by rewilding!
Your skin holds an ecosystem – just as you would find in a rainforest or an ocean reef. Skin’s natural microbes form a complex ecology in a delicate balance. When you disrupt this natural balance with harmful, chemical-laden skin products, the ecosystem is damaged. Because your skin microbiome is so important in keeping skin healthy, this damage can lead to problematic skin.
Fortunately, there are techniques you can use to bring back the microbial balance so that your skin can protect itself naturally. It does mean adapting your lifestyle somewhat, but just a few simple changes can make all the difference to your skin health in 2023.
- Makeup-free days
With remote and hybrid working more commonplace, there is a lot more opportunity to avoid wearing make-up on certain days. The less make-up you wear, the less cleansing is needed – which is really good news for your microbiome. Without disruption from make-up and the resulting cleansing, your skin will begin to rewild. Take a couple of days off from make-up and see the results!
- Don’t over-cleanse
A common belief is that cleaning ourselves constantly is the most hygienic way to live, and while we’re not saying you need to take a stand against cleaning, it is certainly possible to over-cleanse the skin. Your skin works hard to produce valuable oils – as the skin has done for 2 million years. By overcleaning with products twice a day, we’re stripping these oils and washing away the protection they provide. Rather splash your face with lukewarm water every morning. - Don’t over-sanitize
The pandemic has resulted in a massive rise of anti-bacterial agents, and while these do have their place, over-sanitizing in the home can be hugely detrimental to the skin. We’ve all spent the last three years sanitising excessively and have experienced dryness and redness as a result. If you do need to sanitize, consider using eco-conscious options that are better for you and the environment. - Avoid sugar
You probably didn’t want to hear this one, but sugar is detrimental to your health, which includes skin health. Sugar breaks down the collagen and elastin that gives your skin that structure and firmness. So, as a New Year’s resolution, consider cutting down – or cutting out – sugar in your diet.
- Get outdoors
We have become far too disconnected from the natural world, despite it being incredibly beneficial for our mental and physical well-being. The natural world is thriving with good microbes that interact with your skin in a healthy way. This is something that simply can’t be replicated by manufactured products. Get out in the wild and rewild your skin while lowering stress levels and improving your mood. - Enjoy some sun
While you’re spending time outdoors, you should set aside at least 15 minutes of this time to be without sunscreen. The reason for this is that Vitamin D is incredibly beneficial to your health, including your skin health. Don’t overexpose yourself and get sunburnt –as that will cause more harm than good, but a quarter of an hour will do the trick. - Get active
There’s no way of getting around it – you need to exercise. It’s good for your physical well-being, it’s good for your mental well-being, and it’s good for your skin! Sweating releases those built-up toxins while the increased heart rate increases blood flow throughout your body, resulting in healthier skin.
- Include omegas
Omega 3s and Omega 6s – found in fresh fish, eggs, and seeds – are important for fostering good skin health. These quality oils are used by the skin to support barrier function and the microbiome, so if you have low stocks, your skin health is going to suffer. - Check your skincare products
Finally, look at the ingredients in your current skincare products. If you’re using products that aren’t organic, natural, and microbiome-friendly, it might be time to reconsider your skincare regime. A natural, probiotic skincare range, like Esse, is needed to balance that microbiome and enhance your skin health.
Discover the Esse product ranges here: www.esseskincare.hk/products/.
