Beauty From the Inside Out

It’s shouldn’t come as a surprise that healthier eating can  lead to an overall healthier and more radiant  complexion. Many of us dream of having baby smooth and flawless skin but are challenged when it comes to maintaining a diet that will help us to  achieve our ultimate glow goals. (No judgment, Talenti is my strongest addiction after eyeshadow palettes). We turned to  author, founder and CEO of Naturopathica,  Barbara Close, to get the scoop on what to eat, how much water to drink and to answer the very popular question “is detoxing really necessary?”.

ThisThatBeauty:  Are there specific foods that help skin to appear smoother, or more radiant? If yes, which and how do they help?

Barbara Close:  The best ingredients for radiant skin work to replenish the building blocks of the skin and repair the skin barrier. To achieve this, seek a diet rich in antioxidants, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and hydration. The Naturopathica Skin Radiance Tonic combines hydrating  Coconut Water, soothing  Aloe Vera  and potent antioxidants including  Matcha Tea  and  Tamarind, complemented by our Burdock Radiant Skin Tincture. Used in traditional Eastern and Western medicine,  Burdock  is known as an antioxidant-rich herb with cleansing and purifying properties.

Here’s  Naturopathica’s Skin Radiance Tonic below:

• Naturopathica Skin Radiance Tonic
• 125 ml  Apple Pear Juice
• 225 ml  Coconut Water
• 325 ml  Tamarind Juice
• 1.5 oz  Green Juice
• 1 oz  Basil/Mint  Shot
• 1 tsp  Matcha Powder
• 2 ml Naturopathica Burdock Radiant Skin Tincture

ThisThatBeauty: If you suffer from acne, sensitive skin or redness, what foods should you avoid and what foods should you seek out?  

Barbara Close: As a clinical esthetician and herbalist, my  approach to healthy skin is focused on inflammation, the leading cause of premature aging and skin imbalances from acne to eczema.  

While topical skin care is critical for the health and vitality of your skin, it  doesn’t  address the  leading source of inflammation where most imbalances begin, the gut. According to NIH, up to 70 million people suffer from digestive disorders (US Dept. of Health, 2015), but scientists do not know why digestive imbalances are on the rise. One emerging unifying theory is that digestive imbalances might be driven by increased permeability of the gut, which promotes chronic systemic inflammation everywhere in the body and, in turn, promotes sensitive skin. When the gut  biome is balanced, it works most efficiently to slow down inflammation.

At Naturopathica Chelsea, our newest Healing Arts Center & Spa in New York City, we incorporate both topical and ingestible remedies into all of our treatments. For inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, rosacea or simply dull complexions, we recommend fermented food and drink, such as Kombucha, that contain probiotic properties to rebalance the gut biome.

ThisThatBeauty: How much water are you really supposed to drink each day?  

Barbara Close:  Drinking water is an important part of everyday wellness, keeping the skin healthy and hydrated. Water works in tandem with other hydrating nourishment, from coconut water to watermelon, lettuce, spinach and soups, to replenish the body.  

Because bodies and lifestyle factors range from person to person, there is no “one size fits all” approach to hydration, but research suggests that 4-6 8 oz. glasses per day should be consumed for optimal skin and body health. Being mindful of sodium and sugar consumption can aid in the retention of water.

ThisThatBeauty:  There is much talk about “detoxing” — is it necessary?   If yes, what foods will best help to detox? If no, why not?

Barbara Close:  At Naturopathica, we don’t advocate for “detox” regimens, but rather emphasize long-term nourishment. The popularity of “detox” programs implies that there is a one-shot, quick fix approach to improving overall health, which is a perception that we’d like to change. Inevitably we will all “retox,” so we need education that allows us to balance the good and bad in moderation, making mindful decisions to lead healthier and happier lives. We focus on the everyday things that you can do throughout your life to boost your vitality without sacrifice.  

Great skin is more that just about applying your favorite creams and serums.  A diet loaded with fruits and veggies can and will definitely have an impact on your skin.

Are you willing to adjust your diet for enhanced beauty benefits?