A Day in the Life of a Clean Beauty Advocate
Hey, Matka fam! Today, I'm not just sharing my clean beauty routine, but also spilling the beans on the nourishing foods that keep my skin glowing from the inside out. I recently turned 33, but I still get ID:ed at the liquor store and I have received many compliments over the past year in lines of “your skin looks beautiful, are you sure you don’t get botox lol?” “I wish I had skin like yours!” and of course “Please tell me your skincare secrets!” So, get ready for a holistic journey through my day, where clean beauty meets the power of nutrition!
Morning Glow-Up: Rise and Shine
Cleansing Bliss: As I cleanse, I think about the antioxidant-rich berries waiting for me at breakfast. Berries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that contribute to that morning glow and I love throwing a handful into my morning smoothie (recipe at the bottom of the post). But that’s not the only source of berries for your skin. Did you know that our Foaming Rosehip Cleanser contains a powerful rosehip extract for some extra brightening and collagen boosting effects?
Hydration Elation: Sipping on a cup of green tea or water with a splash of lemon helps flush out toxins and hydrate the skin from within. I also religiously stay away from coffee as it dehydrates the body while taxing the adrenal glands and spiking both cortisol, adrenalin, inflammation, and blood sugar levels.
Nourishing Elixir: Before layering my Dew You Even Vitamin C Serum, Firming Asparagus Moisturizer, and SPF, I also sprite a generous amount of Yarrow & Goldenseal Calming Toner to infuse the skin with all the hydration it needs throughout the day for that glow, dewy look.
Midday Pick-Me-Up: Refresh and Revitalize
Desk-Side Refreshment: Desk-bound but not dull! A quick spritz of one of our hydrating toners is sometimes the frosting on the cake after I wake up from a little mandatory power nap in the afternoon. Yes, I am the queen of naps, no shame! Beautysleep is the real deal ya’ll!
Snack-Time Treat: Snacking smart with cucumber and carrot sticks keeps me hydrated and provides a dose of skin-loving vitamins. Hummus or guacamole on the side adds a protein boost. And, Instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee, which again will only give you a crash and unbalance your hormones further, opt for a green juice (recipe at the bottom of the post) or a big bottle of coconut water for some refreshing vitamins and minerals that perk up your mind and mood, and also helps keep you regulated, if you know what I mean… Regular daily bowel movements are so important for the body to remove waste and old hormones, which in turn keeps the skin happy and clear of breakouts.
Evening Ritual: Unwind and Rejuvenate
Makeup Melt: Time to bid farewell to the day's makeup using a silky, natural cleanser, like our Foaming Rosehip Cleanser. It effortlessly dissolves every trace without stripping my skin of its natural oils. I very rarely wear makeup, so double cleansing is not something I personally do, but some very effective cleansing oils to have on hand in your bathroom include coconut oil, avocado oil, and hemp oil.
Pampering Potion: For a little extra TLC, I indulge in a weekly spa night existing of a quick exfoliation with the Paprika & Papaya AHA Revitalizing Mask followed by a herbal face steam with the Beauty Blossom blend, followed by the Oat & Yucca Cream Mask for some deep hydration and skin barrier healing, Usnea & Glacial Clay armpit detox mask to keep the armpits happy and fresh, and a full body scrub with my personal favourite Monday Mood Body Scrub. (Or if you’d like to attempt a homemade body scrub I have an incredible cranberry body scrub recipe in this blog post, make sure to check it out!)
Nighttime Elixir: Before hitting the hay, I treat my skin to the soothing and hydrating Niacinamide & Burdock Blemish Serum followed by the Golden Radiance Firming Face Oil for a rich and nourishing plant retinol boost.
Time for dinner! Wild salmon, rich in omega-3s and astaxanthin, takes center stage. It's a delicious way to support my skin's elasticity and hydration. But grass-fed beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb are excellent protein choices as well. Try to limit your animal protein to 1-2x/week, as too much can tax the digestive tract and contribute to slower transit times, inflammation, and acid reflux. Grab my favourite homemade salad dressing below, perfect with any greens and any protein!
Holistic Nutrition Tips: Foods to Embrace and Avoid
Foods to Embrace:
Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and hydration.
Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and trout are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds provide healthy fats and antioxidants.
Green Tea: Packed with polyphenols, green tea supports skin health and hydration.
Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, kimchi and other fermented foods promote a healthy gut, which is linked to skin health.
Foods to Limit:
Processed Foods: High in refined sugars and unhealthy fats, which can contribute to inflammation.
Dairy: Some people find that dairy products can exacerbate skin issues due to its high hormone content and pro-inflammatory proteins.
Sugary Treats: High sugar intake contributes to inflammation and skin problems.
Caffeine and Alcohol: These can be dehydrating, affecting skin moisture levels and also the liver’s ability to neutralize and conjugate old hormones.
Remember, everyone's body reacts differently to foods, so it's essential to pay attention to what works best for your unique skin. Here's to embracing clean beauty from the outside and nourishing it from within! 💚🍏 #CleanBeautyNutrition
Antioxidant Berry Smoothie
1 banana, 1 cup frozen berries, 1 tbsp greek yogurt, 1/2 cup apple juice, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp maca powder, 1/2 tsp ginseng powder, 1 tbsp marine collagen, 1 tbsp hemp protein.
Green Energizer Juice
1 apple, 1 lemon, 3-4 kale leaves, 1/2 a celery bunch, 1/2 cucumber, 1/4 pineapple, 2 inch piece of ginger, 1/2 cup water.
Anytime Salad Dressing
In a high speed blender mix: 2 tbsp dijon mustard, 4-6 canned anchovy filets, 1 tbsp capers, juice from 1 lemon, handful grated parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of black pepper.
Store in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy with your favourite salad! (it goes especially well with chicken and turkey).