Annie's 5 Tips for Glowing Skin

The skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s no secret that it takes a lot of abuse. Sun, wind, cold, pollutants, late nights, processed foods, alcohol, hormones, and stress can all take their toll. There are some simple, but important things you can do nourish your skin and give it some TLC to keep it looking and feeling its best: (1) 1) Wear sunscreen. Don’t get me wrong, the sun is a vital force of life and there is no reason to be afraid of it. 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure everyday is a great way to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels and improve mood.. However, 90% of wrinkles and skin damage are from sun exposure. If you plan to be outside longer than 15 minutes, wearing a natural sunscreen free from chemicals and parabens is an extremely beneficial and easy way to protect your skin. And don’t just count time laying by the pool or walking on the beach as sun exposure – driving in the car, sitting near a window, or even skiing in the snow can be harsh sources of indirect sunlight that lead to damage. (1) 2) Avoid junk. If you’ve ever experienced blemishes or uneven bumps, it may be caused by the skin getting rid of toxins in your food. When the body cannot breakdown and digest foods, it cannot eliminate them through the colon so it attempts to eliminate them from the skin. Additionally, you may be suffering from a food sensitivity to commonly irritating foods like dairy, peanuts, or eggs. Make a point to consume whole, pure, unprocessed foods like veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and organic sources of lean protein and notice the positive changes in your skin! (2) You can also try some Suja skin glow juice for good measure! 3) Sanitize your phone. Yep, we’ve all noticed that greasy film on our phone screen after a conversation. This is our natural sebum from the skin rubbing up against our phone when we hold it to our face. Phones pack a double acne punch because they are also crawling with bacteria from our hands, purses, seats, counters, and wherever else we set them. Blemishes happen when oil and bacteria clog a pore. Since your phone screen is teeming with both, make sure to regularly wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe to keep it clean and your skin pristine. (2) 4) SLEEP. You know this, but a reminder is always helpful :) Sleep deprivation causes you to have dark circles, sallow skin, and a pale tone. Also, the body repairs when you sleep and if you aren’t entering those stages of deep repair, skin cells can’t renew and blemishes can’t heal. (3) 5) Bring on the fats. If you suffer from flaky, itchy, or dry skin, you are not eating enough essential fatty acids. You can hydrate as much as you want with creams, lotions, and serums, but if you’re on a low or no fat diet, you will never have hydrated skin. Dig into wild salmon which can help with skin inflammation, walnuts which are packed with antioxidants, and drizzle olive oil on your salads and veggies to give your skin a healthy lipid barrier and keep it supple and glowing. (4) What's your secret to keeping your skin fresh and healthy? Annie Lawless & Suja Juice