Hello beautiful & rainy Spring!
As we welcome the new Spring season along with rebirth and renewal, now is a great time to take a look at the skin turnover cycle and our gut-skin connection and why it matters for healthy, radiant skin.
Our skin cycle explained...
The skin cycle is your skin’s natural rejuvenating process. It continually sheds old, redundant cells from the surface to reveal fresh, healthy cells beneath. A constant, beautiful cycle that is sadly often abused or mis-treated. Every day the outer layers of our skin are exposed to UV light, pollution, bacteria, and other aggressors that damage the cells. The result? Congestion, sluggishness, dullness, larger looking pores, rough texture, and fine lines and pigmentation appear more prominent. Various factors impact the natural turnover rate of our skin's cycle:
Age Babies' skin is beautifully soft because, at this age, cells are turning over every 2 weeks. Sadly, this speedy cycle doesn’t last! As we age the process slows down. In our 20's the rate of skin cycle is estimated to be around 2 weeks, stretching to roughly every 28 days in our 30's. From there, cellular turnover increases to 40-60 days over the next three decades. In our 60's and beyond, a skin cycle can take as long as 90 days. It's important to consider your skin cycle when evaluating the results of a new product in your routine; it can take about 1-3 skin cycles to see results. Keep this in mind if you have mature skin with slower cellular turnover. Patience is key!
Seasonal change
In winter, most of us experience drier skin due to the lack of humidity, wind and artificial heating. This can lead to an excess of dull, flaky cells built up on the surface.
Lifestyle Smoking, excessive sun exposure and dehydration all impact skin behaviour. Nutrition also plays a vital role in cell renewal and a diet lacking in nutrients can disrupt the optimal skin regeneration process.
The Gut-Skin Connection
The gut-skin connection refers to the bidirectional communication between the bacteria that resides in your gut microbiome, and the skin microbiome. As our skin is the largest organ of elimination, any imbalance or inflammation stemming from the gut will show in your skin as those toxins are trying to find a way out!
How can I create a happy healthy gut-skin connection?
- Consume a nutrient-rich wholefood diet which includes a diverse range of fresh seasonal fruit & vegetables, healthy sources of fats, nuts/seeds, and good quality protein sources.
- Vitamin-C rich foods to support the production of collagen synthesis. Food sources: capsicum, orange, grapefruit, guava, kiwifruit, papaya, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower.
- Focus on boosting prebiotic & probiotic rich foods. This includes artichokes, dandelion roots, garlic, onions, leek, beetroot, pepitas, yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, apple cider vinegar and kombucha.
- Eliminate refined, processed and sugary foods. Minimising consumption of common pro-inflammatory food groups such as dairy & gluten can help to reduce inflammation which may be contributing to aggravated/inflamed skin presentations.
- Stress. We all know that stress influences our digestive function so incorporating stress management strategies such as meditation, journaling, deep belly breathing, and/or yin yoga helps to activate your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest state).
Animate winter skin with enzymatic exfoliation
With the chilly months behind us, Spring is the perfect season to renew your complexion. Enzymatic exfoliation (such as papain, papaya, and pineapple enzymes) stimulates the cellular turnover process by polishing away the winter-weary cells clinging to the surface to reveal fresh, bright, rejuvenated skin. Why is enzymatic exfoliation preferred?
Because most mechanical and acid based exfoliators can be too strong for the skin. They remove dead cells but their aggressive action can compromise the skin barrier by damaging the new cells and stripping the surface of much-needed moisture. How does enzymatic exfoliation work? Plant enzymes are different from AHAs or BHAs because they dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells. They gently break down the bonds which hold the cells together so they can be removed from the surface. This action works with the skin to encourage cell turnover and promote hydration, rather than overpower the barrier or disrupt the natural skin cycle.
RUAH ORGANIC x ENZYMATIC EXFOLIATION
Many peels have a tendency to over-exfoliate, and can thin the skin leaving a vulnerable, stressed and compromised skin barrier defence system. So, if you want the benefits of fresh, revitalised skin without any negative side effects then our options for enzymes at Ruah organic is a must.
At Ruah, your skin health is my top number 1 priority and so with that comes only skincare and facial treatments that align with the holistic renewal of your skin (AKA - NO STRIPPING, as many of you always hear my say)
Our Synthesis Organics Signature facial utilises an enzymatic exfoliation to reveal brighter and smoother skin instantly, however complete regeneration and revitalisation is achieved with regular use and you can use these 2 beautiful products at home for an enzymatic treatment!
For Daily Renewal
Renew Enzyme Cleanser by Synthesis Organics is mild enough for daily use for all skin types and promotes cellular renewal by only removing redundant skin cells without disrupting the skin’s all-important oil / moisture balance.
Rejuvenating Mask Ritual
All 4 One Facial Exfoliant & Mask is a gentle, nurturing exfoliant that doubles as a mask. It is a dry mix which can be hydrated with our Heart Space hydrosol or mixed with Renew Enzyme Cleanser or Renew Exfoliating Toner to rejuvenate all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. Use consistently 1-2 times per week after cleansing.
For our dermaviduals lovers;
Our Dermaviduals Enzyme Peeling treatment is used throughout all dermaviduals facials.
Based on natural enzymes found in pineapple and papaya, this powerful treatment can be used on most skin types regardless of skin condition. The enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, clarifying and evening skin tone through a proteolytic action. The peel gently refines the surface of the skin, dissolving the corneocyte immediately; leaving the skin smoother and improving hyper-keratinisation. Your skin is prepared for an infusion of pure, natural and active dermaviduals ingredients.
Benefits:
Refines pores
Clarifies and evens skin tone
Gentle, safe and effective exfoliation
Increased receptivity for subsequent application of active ingredients
Actively dissolves and prevents comedones, milia and pustules
Anti-inflammatory
Looking forward to having you all in at the skin spa for some enzymatic exfoliation!
To book:
Dermaviduals:
For a kind 15% off your facial at Ruah use the code ENZYME15 at the online checkout, or let Jaq know at your next appointment. For one use only, not applicable alongside gift vouchers.
References:
Synthesis Organics Journal
Dermaviduals Journal