clean eating

Sugar And Your Skin From The Inside Out

January 12, 2021 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Do you have a sweet tooth? Many of us do — and many of us experience an increase in sugar cravings after indulging in the traditional holiday season carb-laden foods and treats. It’s understandable after over a month of celebrating that you may be facing intense post-holiday sugar cravings. After all, all of those yummy carbohydrates and treats signaled our body to release serotonin, which makes us feel fabulous, even if only temporarily. It’s no wonder our brain continues to desire more.

Unfortunately, sugar can wreak havoc – from the inside – to affect our skin outside, not to mention the negative impact it can have on our overall health and wellbeing.

So, let’s take a look at the effects sugar has on our body from the inside out. So, we can see why it is crucial to get those cravings under control for the sake of our health and our skin.

Sugars Effect Inside

Inside the body, sugar triggers a cascade of negative responses – from spiking blood sugar, to inflammation, to a suppressed immune system. More severe consequences arise from regularly eating excessive amounts of sugar, like chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, microbiome disturbances, and leaky gut syndrome.

Weakened Immune System – You may already know that the average American eats about 22 teaspoons of sugar EVERY day — that is almost a ½ cup of sugar! But did you know that consuming this much sugar can suppress your white blood cells’ ability to kill germs by 40% for up to 5 hours — and suppressing our immune system’s response is not something any of us want right now!

Unstable Blood Sugar – Sugar causes your blood glucose levels to shift quickly, as your blood sugar rises and then falls sharply after you eat. These rapid shifts in blood sugar can cause symptoms that can be severe enough to interfere with daily life, including feeling sluggish, shaky, and even increasing hunger. Over time, your body may not be able to lower your blood sugar as effectively, leading to type 2 diabetes.

Inflammation – Sugar and refined carbohydrates cause inflammation in the body. Over time, this inflammation caused by poor eating habits can lead to several health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and cancer.

Sugars Effect Outside

It should come as no surprise that if sugar can wreak such havoc on the inside of our body that its effects will also wreak havoc externally on our skin. Many skin problems such as acne, rosacea, and eczema are exacerbated by the sugar you eat. But most importantly, consuming sugar in excess has a lasting effect by causing wrinkles and sagging skin.

Inflammation – Chronic inflammation also sets off enzymes called metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the skin. These enzymes are found in the spaces between skin cells and have a two-fold effect by breaking down collagen and elastin in the skin while also inhibiting their production, leading to the premature aging of your skin.

Glycation – The body uses glucose as a primary fuel source. Still, if glucose is consumed in excess or not used and metabolized properly, our baseline blood sugar levels increase, leading to glycation issues. Glycation occurs when glucose binds to collagen and elastin in the body, making it more rigid. This internal glycation has an external effect by leading to skin that is wrinkled and sagging.

Increased Insulin – Another problem with increased blood sugar is that it causes high insulin production, which triggers excess sebum production and androgen activity. This leads to acne breakouts.

Avoid The Effects

To avoid the negative effects of sugar, avoid refined sugar, and sweeteners that spike your blood sugar. You’ll also want to avoid (or limit) high-glycemic carbohydrates, including refined white bread, pasta, and desserts, which rapidly convert into glucose in the body.

It might be difficult for you to imagine a life without sugar. Many people have actual sugar addictions and find it hard to stop eating sugar. You do not have to stop eating sugar all the time, but instead, make healthier choices.

For example, swap white table sugar for an alternative, like plant-based stevia or monk fruit. You can also eat fresh fruits and berries to enjoy a more refreshing but still delicious sweet taste. Plus, fruits and berries are naturally hydrating, whereas sugar is dehydrating, which leads to an appearance of dull and parched skin.

Overall, blood sugar imbalances are one of the significant root causes of skin issues. To find out if this is one of your root causes, take our skin personality quiz.

The Sweet News

There is good news about sugar! It isn’t all bad when it is used on the outside of the body. Sugar causes many skin problems from the inside — but used on the outside, it is a natural and useful beauty tool! When used topically, sugar can contribute to radiant and luminous skin on the face and body.

Sugar is beneficial when used outside because it is one of the world’s oldest humectants. This means it pulls moisture from the environment and draws it into the skin. Using a sugar scrub on the skin, especially when combined with another moisturizing agent, helps naturally hydrate your skin. Another benefit of sugar, when used on the skin, is that it is a natural glycolic acid source. Glycolic acid promotes cell turnover to bring out your natural radiance and is typically used to minimize discoloration so you can reveal brighter younger-looking skin.

Sugar scrubs help soften your skin by removing dead skin cells, dirt, and pollutants and help unclog pores. Sugar scrubs are also better to use than salt scrubs. Most of the time, sugar granules are smaller and more gentle than salt granules, predominantly brown sugar. Brown sugar is softer than granulated sugar, so it is useful for sensitive skin, including on the face.

Raw sugar is usually more coarse than other sugar types, so avoid using it on the face.
If you want to try out a sugar exfoliant at home, try my easy 2-ingredient recipe that uses brown sugar and aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and easily penetrates the skin to soothe and deliver nourishment quickly. Combine this exfoliant to make a mild and nourishing scrub that is gentle enough to use on your face.

Brown Sugar Exfoliant:

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon organic brown sugar
½ teaspoon aloe vera gel

In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and aloe vera gel. Apply to your body or face and gently massage for two to five minutes. Rinse with warm water and a washcloth. Use only once per week. For the face, I also recommend natural exfoliants specifically made for the face.

Join The Cleanse

Want to learn HOW to kick sugar cravings for good and achieve clean, naturally glowing skin and vibrant health? There’s an actual process — and I’d love to share it with you! Join me on January 25th for my FREE 2-week Clean Skin From Within Reboot! All you need to be successful during this Reboot is a copy of my book, which you can get FREE here, and join our Facebook group here!

Are you looking for some great tips to stop the cravings NOW? – read my article on how to stop sugar cravings.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

At The Spa Dr.® – our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, I invite you to join us on social media.
I hope you enjoyed these natural beauty tips. Feel free to share them with your friends, and spread the word to promote natural beauty.

I would love to hear about your story. Which strategies have you found to curb the sugar cravings? Do you have a DIY sugar exfoliant recipe you’d love to share?

How To Enhance Your Skin Microbiome

December 29, 2020 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Skin Microbiome

Our skin is home to a vast array of microbes, and together they make up our skin microbiome.

Many people typically only think of their skin as it relates to beauty — but our skin’s health is essential to our overall health. After all, it serves as the interface with the outside world. Our skin is our frontline of defense against injury or potential pathogens, and our skin microbiome is the cavalry protecting the frontline.

What’s A Microbiome?

The skin microbiome, or skin flora, is the term used for the trillions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses – that live on our skin. There are 1,000 different bacteria species and almost 80 different types of fungi species. Some of these species even reside in your gut flora.

The microbiome changes depending on the location on your body or “eco-niche.” Each species has a preference for the amount of light they can be exposed to and whether the skin is dry, oily, moist, or hairy – so every “eco-niche” has distinct communities of microbes. Also, depending on if you are older or younger, and depending on your gender, certain microbiome species may prefer to live on your skin. For example, a sweaty adolescent male verse an older postmenopausal female will have very different microbiomes.

How does skin microbiome play a role in our health?

The human digestive tract contains a delicate balance of microorganisms called the gut microbiome. The balance of gut microbiomes includes friendly bacteria that help regulate harmful bacteria, parasites, or an overgrowth of candida.

Besides the obvious health implications, body microbiome health matters. This is because a healthy and balanced microbiome will directly impact how your skin looks. Simply put, “as we age, toxins, stress, infections, poor dietary choices, and certain medications can negatively affect the gut microbiome.”

1. Influence Immune System

Skin microbiome was once thought to only exist on the skin’s surface and not deep into the dermal layers. Later, it was discovered that these microbes could move into the dermis and into subcutaneous fat. Meaning, the skin microbiome can influence and impact our immune systems through contact in these dermal layers. Depending on good microbes’ health, it will affect (negatively or positively) your immune system’s response to pathogens.

2. Protect Against Infection

Healthy good skin microbiomes and gut microbiomes can protect you against infection. This is because when good microbes flourish, they can crowd out the pathogenic (bad) species.

Prebiotics are one way to promote the growth and activity of beneficial microbes. Prebiotics are ‘good’ bacteria promoters – like foods, fiber, and herbs. Examples of prebiotics include chicory root, Konjac root, dandelion greens, garlic, leeks, onions, oats, barley, and apples. In case of skin or digestive infections, a prebiotic and probiotic combination is a beneficial addition to your physician’s prescribed treatment plan.

Another way to protect against infection is by balancing the skin’s pH. Our skin prefers a relatively acidic environment – a pH around 5.0. This slightly acidic environment provides the perfect environment to inhibit pathogenic (harmful) species. Using skin care products that offer an ideal pH balance can help fortify a healthy microbiome to protect against infections and skin breakouts.

3. Reduce Inflammation

When the body’s microbiome is not balanced, the immune system will respond by releasing agents to balance the system. Unfortunately, the antimicrobial peptide agents the immune system releases cause inflammation and may weaken the skin microbiome and the barrier protection it provides the skin. Also, many other health issues are associated with inflammation.

On the other hand, good gut and skin microbiome have the opposite effect. A good microbiome inhibits the release of inflammatory compounds from the immune system. Increasing your intake of both prebiotic and probiotic foods can support a healthy immune system to decrease the inflammatory response.

4. Protection From The Environmental

The microbiome can protect our body from the outside environment. Both these organ systems are responsible for creating a protective barrier against the external environment. Each has its unique mechanisms for interacting with the immune system and working to protect against outside pathogens. In their way, both the skin and gut microbiome can minimize oxidative damage and exposure to allergens and aid in wound healing to repair damaged barrier functions. If we lose beneficial microbes, then we lose their protection.

HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR MICROBIOME

Eat prebiotic foods such as flaxseed, chicory root, Konjac root, dandelion greens, garlic, apples, leeks, onions, oats, and barley.
Eat probiotic foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled produce, yogurt, and kefir.
Take a high-quality probiotic supplement daily
Cut back on excess carbohydrates and sugars
Balance your skin’s pH with natural skincare products formulated with an ideal pH.
Use pure, natural Argan oil to regulate the skin’s acid mantle and impart luminosity, softness, and moisture to your skin.

“There is no magic bullet when it comes to restoring and maintaining a healthy gut and skin microbiome. The good news is that with a few simple changes to your lifestyle you can change you can achieve better health and gorgeous, glowing skin.”

Would you like to learn more about the importance of gut and skin microbiomes? Then take a moment to watch three of my favorite, very insightful microbiome interviews on The Spa Dr. podcast:

The Microbiome Solution with Naveen Jain
Healthy Skin and The Skin Microbiome with Dr. Trevor Cates
Addressing the Gut Biome with Christa Orecchio

Eat These Foods To Age Gracefully

December 1, 2020 by Dr. Sally LaMont Leave a Comment

Healthy Aging

As we head into the winter holidays, we want to reflect a healthy glow from within, and in the long run, support healthy aging. But excess sugar and alcohol, along with poor diet and sleep, often keep us from looking and feeling our best. Over time, they take their toll, so let’s focus on ways to reduce inflammation to ensure that we are aging gracefully tomorrow.

If you could take just one step to create a healthier future full of vitality, it would be to fight inflamm-aging by reducing inflammation. While the term is used in the beauty industry because of the clear-cut connection between inflammation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, inflamm-aging is more than skin deep.

In fact, inflamm-aging is a significant driver of the chronic disease epidemic. That’s because heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cognitive decline, and bone loss all rise from the embers of chronic inflammation smoldering over time.

So how do we turn back the clock – to promote healthy aging (aging gracefully) and actively grow our health?

EAT A MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE DIET

Replace soda, candy, simple carbs, and chips with a Mediterranean-style diet of berries, olives, salmon, nuts, and spices. It’s easy and delicious. Plus, it feels so good to get that toxic food out of your system!

In fact, a study from Columbia University linked an inflammatory diet pattern to brain aging. They found that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in greens and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and nuts is associated with a lower risk for Alzheimer’s and better brain function as we age. A sure sign of aging gracefully is a sharp mind and an open heart!

TASTE THE RAINBOW OF FRUITS & VEGGIES

Enjoy Nature’s Sweet Treats: Trade out candy and sweets for berries, cherries, and citrus, which are rich in antioxidants, colorful phytonutrients, and Vitamin C. Strive to eat each of the colors every day, as the pigments in berries, citrus, greens, tomatoes, and spices contain phytonutrients that activate the genes that fight inflammation and promote healthy aging. Plus, they taste great and help fight the oxidative damage that contributes to aging skin and many other health problems.

Yams, yellow potatoes, butternut squash, lentils, gluten-free grains, and other fiber-rich complex carbs help balance blood sugar by keeping you fuller longer. Plus, their carotenoids act as antioxidants to fight fine lines and wrinkles that occur over time. For a taste treat, check out this recipe for Butternut Squash with Thyme, Shallots, Cranberries, and Pecans.

BALANCE HORMONES & DETOXIFY

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, romanesco, and kale: These “cruciferous” veggies contain sulforaphane, promoting detoxification of estrogen and estrogen-mimicking chemicals to help maintain a healthy hormonal balance for aging gracefully. Roast these veggies to a golden brown with extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and sea salt so you’ll gobble them up!

Leafy Greens, like spinach, chard, kale, and arugula are loaded with chlorophyll, the green pigment that packs a punch of antioxidant activity. Plus, they’re rich in fiber, stress-fighting B vitamins, and magnesium to promote good elimination and detoxification. Pull together a colorful salad for lunch each day that is also packed with protein.

PROTEIN & COLLAGEN: A WINNING PAIR

Salmon and cold-water fish are rich in clean protein and essential omega-3 oils to fight inflammation, build better cognitive function, and reduce muscle and bone loss. Tip: trade out canned tuna for canned salmon and make this creamy salmon salad to top your veggie bowl.

Bone broth is loaded with collagen, a particular type of fibrous protein that acts as the glue to hold our connective tissue together. This fibrous protein preserves the elasticity of the skin and keeps our bones strong. We need strong bones and muscles to help us do all we want in our senior years, so get started now. Use bone broth as the base for chicken vegetable soup, beef stew, or minestrone, or sip a mug when you need an extra shot of protein. Get Dr. Cates’ recipe here.

GIVE YOURSELF AN OIL CHANGE

EVOO – Extra-virgin olive oil is arguably the healthiest fat on earth. Because it contains large amounts of monounsaturated oils and antioxidants. The green color and slightly peppery taste let you know what Italian women have known for generations. That olive oil has healing properties. Extensive research has linked daily olive oil intake with reduced incidence of heart disease and stroke, diabetes, dementia, and breast cancer. Adding olive oil to dishes also improves the absorption of many fat-soluble vitamins, so enjoy this oil without guilt!

Avocado – Not just for guacamole, avocados have made their way into egg salad, hummus, smoothies, and soups. And for a good reason: they’re packed with skin and heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat (like olive oil). Avocados also contain the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and are suitable for the skin, heart, and digestion. Make sure to add ¼ to ½ an avocado daily to that veggie bowl.

Nuts and Seeds – Nuts are little gifts from the plant kingdom are packed with protein, fiber, and healthy oils. This combination makes them a perfect snack, but don’t go wild! Measure out just ¼ cup for your daily serving since they are high in calories. And rotate the type of nuts you eat, so you get the range of minerals and fats they contain. For example, 3 Brazil nuts have a daily dose of selenium, while cashews are rich in magnesium, and walnuts have the most omega-3 oils. Toast them lightly and add to salads, grain bowls

ADD FLAVOR BOMBS

“Variety is the Spice of Life” – so bring your food to life with an explosion of flavor from herbs and spices. Each herb and spice gets its unique flavor from its own set of phytochemicals, imbuing it with delicious, super-healing properties. Spices and herbs have been shown to lower inflammation, helping to quell redness, pain, and swelling.

Plant an indoor herb garden this winter. Or buy dried spices in small quantities until you know which ones you love. And make a pot of Masala Chai Tea instead of coffee or a cocktail on those cold winter nights. You’ll love not waking up with a hangover, and as a bonus, you’ll have less pain and inflammation.

Growing old gracefully helps make the most of your lifestyle today. It’s way more fun to cultivate some excellent cooking skills to feed yourself, friends, and family well. Instead of settling for the MAD diet (Modern American Diet) and the set of chronic diseases it breeds. A healthy glow and vitality are possible. Claim the future for yourself by taking charge of your health now so you can optimize aging gracefully!

Links to recipes from Dr. Sally’s Kitchen:

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, I invite you to join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about what foods you can eat to aging gracefully. Feel free to share this article with your friends, and spread the word to promote natural health.

Have any natural health tips of your own? We love hearing from you – Please share them in the comments below!

How Does Food Influence Acne Prone Skin?

June 2, 2020 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Acne is the most common skin disease in the world, affecting more than 40 million people — over half of whom are women over 25 years old. Although acne symptoms are sometimes viewed as a superficial health concern, those of us who’ve had to deal with any of the different acne types are aware of the emotional and physical damage that breakouts and acne can cause. Several things contribute to whether or not someone has what I call Olivia type skin, or acne-prone skin. The acne causing culprits include hormonal imbalances, the type of foods you eat, contraceptives, as well as other medications.

Conventional acne treatments focus on topical treatments and prescription medications. Prescription medications are enticing because they promise a quick solution. It’s much easier to take a pill or use an ointment than it is to make the lifestyle changes necessary to heal your skin from the inside. While prescription and OTC medications have their place and can provide relief from acne symptoms, they come with several possible unpleasant and damaging side effects and are only meant to be a short-term solution. Unfortunately, these acne treatments only reduce acne symptoms — they don’t address the underlying root acne causes.

If you want to get rid of acne symptoms for good and in the process enjoy optimal health and reduced illness and disease — you need to address the root cause and use a natural approach that supports your whole body. As the title of my book Clean Skin from Within makes clear, I believe that healthy, glowing skin begins from within. The best way to stop acne is from the inside out. Today, I’m going to share a few of the most effective natural remedies to help you reduce and eliminate the acne causes and get rid of acne symptoms for good:

If you deal with acne, you probably realize it’s not just about what you put on your skin that is causing acne. Yes, it’s really important to use natural skin care products that are not harsh on your skin and are the right fit for your skin type. But, what you eat has a tremendous impact on your skin, so it’s also important to avoid the wrong foods that are going to trigger acne symptoms and eat the right foods that are going to help you address those underlying reasons for acne breakouts.

While food may not be the greatest influence in serious clinical acne cases — for the majority of people, the types of foods we put into our body are the ultimate acne treatment. Even for those that deal with severe acne symptoms, cutting out foods that trigger inflammation and hormone imbalance will help. Our skin is a magic mirror to what’s happening inside of our bodies. If you struggle with acne-prone skin it could likely be in response to the types of foods you are eating.

Below, I’ve highlighted some foods that are known to be acne causing. I recommend you take a few weeks to really look into how your body reacts to these foods, that way you can get a better understanding of what your body can or cannot intake.

Food Culprits That Cause Or Aggravate Acne Symptoms

Sugar

When I talk about how sugar is bad for acne prone skin, I’m not talking about natural sugars from things like fruit, which are healthy for the body in moderation. Processed sugars like high fructose corn syrup and sugars found in things like cereal, processed snacks, or mass-produced juices are harmful in many ways. One of those ways is in how it impacts acne production in our skin. If your skin is prone to acne, no matter your age, it’s probably a good idea to cut sugar out of your diet for the most part. The reason for this is that sugar holds no real nutritional value. The body breaks down sugar into glucose and causes an insulin spike in the body, which has been linked to breakouts in acne symptoms.

Simple Carbs

We have all heard about the negative effects that simple carbohydrates have on our bodies. Like sugar, simple carbohydrates immediately get broken down into glucose by the body. Again, an increase in glucose in the bloodstream can cause an insulin spike, which causes hormone cascades and contributes to acne symptoms. But what are simple carbs? Things like white bread, sodas, and highly processed foods are considered simple carbohydrates.

Dairy

Another food category that can often cause negative side effects after consumption is dairy. Dairy is considered an inflammatory food and can cause bloating and other inflammation if eaten regularly. Since it comes from a lactating mammal, dairy contains hormones that can have a disrupting impact on our body’s hormonal balance, which is one of the big root causes behind acne symptoms. As an acne treatment for those with acne prone skin, I recommend trying to cut dairy out of your diet for at least 14 days to see how your skin responds to this change. If you find that your skin starts to clears up and is producing less acne after giving up dairy for 14 days, stick with no dairy for a while longer – this could be the problem!

Junk Food

Not only is junk food high in saturated fats, salt and processed ingredients that leave your skin dull and prone to acne symptoms – it provides little if any nutritional benefit and leaves you feeling sluggish. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and takes the brunt of the punishment from junk food abuse. What do you do if you succumb to a stress-induced moment of junk food indulgence? Counteracting your indulgence and help your body speed up the purge of the junk food by increasing your water intake and eating some antioxidant-rich foods like berries and protein. This will help your body flush out the toxins so your skin doesn’t get overtaxed by the detoxification process.

Good Foods for Acne Prone Skin

If the thought of cutting out these aforementioned food categories to help reduce acne symptoms seems daunting, fear not! There are so many alternative healthy choices that are delicious and satisfying.

Sugar Substitute

Stevia is a delicious and naturally sweet extract that comes from the stevia plant leaf. It doesn’t increase your blood sugar so it’s not going to create a hormone cascade in your body. Erythritol is another great alternative and can be used to substitute sugar in baking.

Simple Carb Substitute

Substitute simple carbs with whole grains. Whole grains can provide both soluble and insoluble fiber that supports a healthy digestive system — which is good for clearing up skin breakouts. In my book, I discuss how gluten-containing grains are a trigger for some individuals. My favorite whole grain is quinoa because it is gluten-free and has a higher protein content than most grains, which is important for balanced blood sugar.

Dairy Substitutes

There are a lot of great alternatives to dairy products. A favorite is to substitute dairy with unsweetened coconut milk. Coconut milk is a nice substitute for dairy and is very tasty. You can use it on cereals (non-sugary cereals of course) and smoothies — all kinds of things. Other healthy alternatives to dairy are almond milk or oat milk. The choice of alternative milk is abundant. I would recommend avoiding soy milk to avoid the phytoestrogen properties. Also, instead of butter, you can substitute for coconut oil.

Junk Food Substitutes

Instead of reaching for that bag of chips, crackers, cookies – or whatever junk food you typically crave – try eating some crunchy veggies or whole-grain crackers dipped in hummus, or reach for some kale chips. Craving something sweet, try a small square of dark chocolate. Whatever your junk food cravings are – look to buy more healthy “junk food” alternatives. Also, when the cravings for junk food hit look at what may be triggering the cravings. Are you stressed or bored? Or maybe you’re just thirsty. Either way, look for healthy snack alternatives that hit the spot just the same.

The point is to clean up your diet and limit or eliminate the food categories that are major triggers for acne and acne symptoms. I recommend eating a balanced diet with a focus on more nutrient-rich vegetables, healthy fats (such as from fish, olives, avocados, and nuts/seeds) and fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas). To learn more about the root causes behind what causes acne and what you can do about it, take my free skin quiz. If you struggle with acne – you’re likely an Olivia skin type, but take the quiz to find out!

This is just scratching the surface on foods to avoid or include to address acne. You’ll learn more about what causes acne in my bestselling book Clean Skin from Within. Or check out the many great skin-loving food choices I recommend in my other blog posts that discuss balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and helping you detoxify your body and boost your immune system from the inside out.

Also, check out this video for more information on what foods are good and bad for acne-prone skin:

How to Refresh and Hydrate Dull Skin

January 8, 2020 by Dr. Trevor Cates Leave a Comment

Is your skin having a dry season? Perhaps you have itchy, red patches, tightness, cracking, or a combination of these. These are signs that it is time to hydrate dull skin with healthy skincare products. The causes can vary and be a combination of what you’re eating, your current skincare routine, or environmental factors. Whatever the reason, The Spa Dr team is here to support you!

What is causing my dry, dull skin?

Your skin reflects what is happening on the inside of your body as well as how it is reacting to the environment. To understand what is causing your dull skin, let’s start by evaluating your daily skincare routine as well as what you’re eating and drinking. What we put on our skin as well as what we eat impacts how our skin looks and feels.

Are you taking hot showers that last more than 5-10 minutes? Hot water can dehydrate skin causing red, dull skin. Be conscious of the length and temperature of the shower or bath. If you love long showers, try a cooler temperature. Moisturize with healthy skincare products after your bathe to rehydrate and keep skin feeling good.
What type of moisturizer are you using? Thicker doesn’t always mean better. Some products just mask issues rather than treating them making it important to understand what you’re putting on your skin. Not all moisturizers are equal.
Are you moisturizing throughout the day? Your hands and face are especially prone to dryness, making it important to moisturize a few times throughout the day.
Does your moisturizer have a fragrance derived from toxic chemicals rather than high-grade essential oils? Synthetic fragrance is a common allergen, which can inflame dry skin. Read the labels so you know what you’re putting on your skin.
Are you eating fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats? Simple changes to diet and exercise can refresh and hydrate dull skin.
Are you drinking enough water? If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Rather than experiencing signs of dehydration like dry mouth, red cheeks, and fatigue, always carry a reusable water bottle with you. If you’re hydrated on the inside, your skin will reflect that.
Are you outdoors for extended periods of time? Sun, wind and extreme temperatures can damage skin, causing it to appear dull. Moisturizing throughout the day and wearing sun protection will help keep skin hydrated and healthy.

Each of these factors impacts the health of your skin. Dry or dull skin is a sign that something is missing or needs to be changed. That could include what you’re eating, your skincare routine, or a combination of factors. Drinking more water and getting proper nutrition can go a long way to refreshing and hydrating dull skin.

Complement clean living with healthy skincare products like our 4-Step Skin Care System that help hydrate and rebalance your skin. And, include gentle exfoliation such as with our Pearl and Rose Petal Facial Exfoliant.

Take before and after pictures to see the results yourself and then share them with our team! If you’re not happy with the results, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all healthy skin care products from The Spa Dr.

Read more on this topic in our article 4 Dry Skin Myths Busted.

Why Your Skin Loves Going Green

March 14, 2019 by Dr. Trevor Cates 3 Comments

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up this weekend, I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to be a little more Green! Going green is easier than you may realize, and your body and your skin will thank you for it. A simple way to give your skin some love is to start your day with a nutritious and delicious green smoothie.

Starting your morning with a healthy smoothie can set the right tone to make healthy choices throughout the day. By sipping one, you’re more likely to feel more balanced and energetic, and less likely to fall prey to skin-sabotaging foods that may come your way.

You may be wary of green-colored drinks, but this refreshing smoothie will go down easy. Pineapple and grapes add just the right amount of sweetness to mask the bitter, nutrient-dense greens, and the cilantro and lime add a touch of fresh, clean flavor to this classic skin-nourishing smoothie.

“IT’S EASY BEING GREEN” Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup (235 ml) brewed chamomile tea
1 cup (30 g) fresh organic spinach
1⁄2 cup (75 g) seedless green grapes
1⁄2 cup (42.5 g) pineapple, frozen
1⁄4 medium organic green apple
2 tablespoons (30 g) hemp protein powder
1 teaspoon ground chia seeds
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh lime juice, to taste

Directions:
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy cold.

For another yummy smoothie option check out the red velvet smoothie recipe I shared for Valentine’s Day. It’s great to enjoy a rainbow of smoothies!

How to “Go Green” With Skin Care Products

Certain ingredients like fragrance, avobenzone (in sunscreens), propylene glycol and formaldehyde releasing preservatives can trigger negative skin reactions. And, whatever your skin type, avoiding toxins is essential for clear, glowing skin. This means we need to be using products free from toxic inflammatory agents and, instead, packed with key nourishing ingredients.

These are a number of harmful ingredients you should look to avoid in your personal care products. If your products contain these, I suggest throwing them out. Don’t be afraid that you won’t be able to use any beauty products though. Luckily, nature provides us with natural actives that have powerful abilities to help clear, rejuvenate, and heal skin. So kick those chemicals to the curb and use some of these green alternatives instead.

Top 5 Harmful Ingredients

Fragrance: Avoid all fragrance unless it’s natural, such as from pure essential oils.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers (quaternium-15, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, bronopol, or imidazolidinyl urea): A known carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, hair straighteners, false eyelash adhesives, and some shampoos.
Mineral oil and petroleum (also called petrolatum, petroleum jelly, and paraffin oil): Made from petroleum; research suggests contamination with this ingredient may be linked with cancer.
Parabens (propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, and isobutyl-): Used in many personal care products as preservatives, parabens have been found in breast tumor tissue and have estrogenic activity.
Ethanolamines (diethanolamine [DEA], monoethanolamine [MEA], and triethanolamine [TEA]): Studies link these with cancer, especially when combined with other ingredients that form nitrosamines.

Natural Green Alternatives:

Organic, pure, essential oils
Natural preservatives such as citric acid or rosemary leaf extract
Plant-based oils such as coconut or almond oil
Plant-based skin soothers such as aloe vera leaf and turmeric root
Nourishing DIY skin care ingredients such as honey, oats, avocado, yogurt, or papaya

Share Your “Green” Pictures!

I would love to see how you are going green this week either in your food or with your skin care routines. I have a Facebook Group for people who are working on improving their skin from the inside out using the information found in my book Clean Skin From Within. It is a fun place to ask questions and share tips and successes with each other. You can join the group at this link. Once you’ve been accepted, introduce yourself and share a picture of you eating or drinking something nutritiously green.

Clean Skin From Within Book

Don’t have a copy of my book yet? You can grab a FREE copy at https://book.thespadr.com (you just cover the shipping and handling). The book is jam-packed full of helpful information on how to have glowing clean skin by addressing the root issues causing you problems. You can heal yourself from the inside out by changing what you eat and what you put in your skin.

Hope you have some fun this St. Patrick’s Day going a little bit more green, and I do hope you will come and share a picture or story on our Facebook Group!