Holistic Skin Wellness

Introduction

Skin health is influenced by many factors, so adopting a holistic approach is key. This means looking at all areas of your life—from diet and exercise to supplementation and stress management. While the products you use and facials you get are important, it's just as vital to address the root causes of your skin concerns. As the body’s largest organ, your skin responds to many internal and external factors, and approaching its care from just one angle limits other healing opportunities. Whether you’re dealing with acne, psoriasis, rosacea, skin tags, or sunspots, viewing skin health through a comprehensive lens is essential.

Diet & Skin Health

When working with clients, I try not to introduce many food restrictions. However, for skin concerns, I recommend eliminating three key foods—gluten, dairy, and eggs—for 30 to 90 days. These foods can contribute to inflammation, disrupt blood sugar levels, and challenge the immune system, making skin conditions like acne and others worse. While not everyone will need to eliminate these foods forever, this temporary reset allows the body to heal from underlying issues such as parasites, bacteria, mold, metals, or dehydration. Once we address those root causes, you can gradually reintroduce these foods to see how your skin reacts. For example, I can eat eggs with no issues, but dairy almost always causes cystic breakouts on my jawline or cheeks within a few days. Every person is different, so it’s important to allow your body the chance to reset and then you can regain control.

Stress & Skin Health

Stress is a major trigger for skin issues, both from internal and external sources. Internal stressors like chronic infections, immune activation, and cellular dysfunction can all contribute to skin problems. Meanwhile, external stressors—such as work pressures, relationship challenges, past trauma, or financial worries—can manifest as skin conditions or exacerbate existing ones. Addressing both internal and external stressors is critical to achieving healthy skin.

Working with a functional practitioner can help uncover the internal factors that may be affecting your skin, while practices like therapy, coaching, meditation, journaling, and breathwork can help manage external stressors and alleviate pressures that affect your skin’s health.

Rest & Skin Health

Sleep is crucial for skin health. Aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night in a completely dark room with consistent sleep and wake times. To check if your room is dark enough, turn off the lights, get in bed, and hold your hand in front of your face—if you can see it, there’s too much light. Your skin has light receptors that can pick up ambient light, interfering with deep restorative sleep. Without proper sleep, your body struggles to function as it should on a daily basis. This includes regulating hormones, producing collagen, and absorbing nutrients, all of which are essential for glowing skin.

Exercise & Skin Health

While exercise is important, overdoing it can create stress on the body. Stress as I mentioned can negatively affect various systems in the body which can lead to skin conditions. Conversely, too little movement also affects your body’s overall metabolic function. I recommend weight training 3 to 4 times a week and incorporating daily movement, aiming for 10,000 steps and standing or stretching every hour. This supports muscle building and metabolic function, which can directly impact the health of your skin.

Supplementation & Skin Health

Instead of specific supplement recommendations, here are a few general tips. If you take biotin, be mindful that it can sometimes cause skin irritation, especially in excess. Consider pausing it if you're experiencing acne and see how your skin responds. Collagen powder is another great option for improving skin health, providing key amino acids needed for tissue repair. I recommend Organifi’s collagen powder for its clean ingredients. Additionally, bone broth can be a powerful and simple way to support skin from the inside out. I prefer Kettle & Fire’s bone broth, or Bare Bones when I’m on the go, to get all the benefits For specific supplementation, I always recommend working with a healthcare professional or functional practitioner as supplementation is very bio-individual. 

Conclusion 

Achieving radiant, healthy skin requires a holistic approach that goes beyond topical treatments. By addressing key areas such as diet, stress management, rest, exercise, and supplementation, you can tackle the root causes of skin issues and support your body’s natural healing processes. Every person’s skin is unique, so it’s important to be patient and take the time to understand how different aspects of your life contribute to your overall skin health. With the right balance and a comprehensive strategy, you can create lasting improvements and enjoy clear, glowing skin from the inside out.

With support,
Isabella