Article contribution by Jennifer Tinsley, certified skincare formulator and founder of FIELD Botanicals. Jennifer has graciously offered a discount on FIELD Botanicals skincare products to Purely Planted readers. Use discount code purelyplanted to get 10% off! Plus, free shipping on all orders!
In the pursuit of healthy and radiant skin, many of us have been conditioned to rely heavily on topical products such as cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. While these products certainly have their place in a skincare routine, it's important to recognize that true skin health and beauty start from within. The adage "you are what you eat" holds true for our skin as well, and adopting a whole food, plant-based diet can work wonders in nurturing our skin from the inside out. In this post, we will delve into the limits of topical products and shed light on the transformative power of a plant-based diet for achieving radiant skin.
Understanding the Skin-Body Connection
Our skin is the largest organ in our body, serving as a protective barrier against the external environment. It reflects the state of our internal health and is influenced by various factors, including our diet. While topical products can address surface-level concerns, they often fail to address the root causes of skin issues such as inflammation and premature aging.
Topical skincare products certainly have their benefits, providing hydration, skin barrier protection, and addressing specific skin concerns. Your skin will be healthier with the addition of a clean skincare routine. But it’s always good to remember that our skin is a reflection of our internal health, and relying solely on external treatments can only go so far in achieving long-term results.
Factors such as stress, hormonal imbalances, poor nutrition, and environmental pollutants can take a toll on our skin's health. Topical products may help manage some of these issues on the epidermis (outer) layers, and depending on formulation, active ingredients can penetrate the dermis (deeper layers). Topical products generally don’t advance to the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissues) – nor would we want them too as that is not their role. Here is where a holistic approach, with an emphasis on diet and nutrition, can make a significant difference.
The Power of a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet
A whole food, plant-based diet focuses on consuming minimally processed foods that come directly from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This dietary approach is rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals that can benefit our overall health, including the health and appearance of our skin.
Nourishing Nutrients and Antioxidants: Fruits and vegetables, particularly those with vibrant colors, are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote skin health. Vitamin C aids collagen production and is protective against UV damage, while vitamin E protects against oxidative damage. Beta-carotene, found in orange and leafy green vegetables, can improve skin elasticity. Incorporating a diverse range of plant-based foods ensures a broad spectrum of nutrients essential for healthy skin.
Hydration from Within: Proper hydration is crucial for skin health, and a plant-based diet, with its high water content and fibrous nature, helps keep the skin hydrated. Fruits like watermelon and cucumber, as well as vegetables such as lettuce and mushrooms, contribute to both hydration and improved skin texture.
Reduced Inflammation: Plant-based diets are naturally anti-inflammatory, as they are low in pro-inflammatory substances like saturated fats and high in anti-inflammatory components such as omega-3 fatty acids and phytonutrients. Chronic inflammation can contribute to skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Adopting a plant-based diet can help mitigate these issues.
Gut Health and Skin: The gut-skin connection is well established, and a plant-based diet promotes a healthy gut microbiome. A balanced gut flora can enhance nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, and support overall skin health. Including probiotic-rich foods like fermented vegetables (kimchi and kraut) and plant-based yogurts can further enhance gut health.
Fiber: Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fresh produce are excellent sources of dietary fiber. A diet rich in fiber helps to regulate digestion and flush out toxins, which can lead to clearer skin and a reduction in blemishes.
While topical skincare products have their merits, a holistic approach is the most efficacious for healthy, glowing skin. A whole food, plant-based diet provides a powerful arsenal of nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that can transform our skin's health and appearance. That isn’t to say that you can toss (or recycle) all your skincare! Our skin does need protection, hydration, and support – and the right minimal skincare routine can help synergistically with your diet to give you the healthiest skin.
So what type of skincare you really need?
Cleansers
A gentle and effective cleanser is the foundation of any skincare routine. Look for plant-based cleansers that are free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. We love Otto Skin Goods The Good Day Face Cleanser, which has plant-based antioxidants and ceramides, which help protect the skin barrier.
Toners
Toners can help balance the skin's pH levels, act as an astringent, hydrate, and prepare the skin for better absorption of subsequent products. Opt for alcohol-free toners infused with botanical extracts. We love UpCircle Face Toner with Mandarin and Chamomile Extract, a hydrating toner made with upcycled green mandarin water and enriched with hyaluronic acid and chamomile.
Serums
Serums are concentrated formulations that deliver potent active ingredients directly into the skin. Think of serums as a product with a specific mission, whether it be reducing the appearance of wrinkles, brightening, or hydration. Look for plant-based serums enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or plant-derived peptides. We love FACEWATER Plant Venom serums which are gentle enough to layer and use a patent pending distillation process for extracting the most nutrients from plants.
Cream Moisturizers
Cream moisturizers help maintain hydrated and supple skin. Opt for clean plant-based moisturizers that are free from petroleum-based ingredients, synthetic colors and fragrances, and parabens. Look for natural humectants like aloe vera or plant based glycerin, and natural oils and butters such as shea butter, jojoba oil, or hemp seed oil. A FIELD favorite is Earth Harbor Mermaid Milk, which is packed with superfoods spirulina & matcha in addition to olive oil and coconut oil.
Oils
Similar to moisturizers, oils can help maintain hydration in the skin. What’s different about oils is they are more occlusive than moisturizers, which means they don’t penetrate the skin but rather form a skin barrier. They can help lock in moisture and can be effective for dry and mature skin as a second layer after moisturizing. We love Odacité All Embracing Serum which has a concentration of botanical actives like watermelon, oatmeal and hibiscus.
Sunscreens
Protecting the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays is crucial for overall skin health. Choose mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These physical blockers are gentler on the skin and provide broad-spectrum protection. Antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, or green tea extract in sunscreens provide added protection against free radicals. One of our favorite sun care brands is Solara Suncare – we love their Go! Daily Defense Soothing Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 30.
Face Masks
Face masks can be therapeutic and pampering, but can also target treatment for various skin concerns. For an exfoliating mask, our fave is Three Ships Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% AHA Exfoliating Mask, with fruit-based AHAs to brighten and remove dead skin cells.
Use discount code purelyplanted to get 10% off your order when you shop for skincare through FIELD Botanicals. Plus, free shipping on all orders!
FIELD Botanicals is an indie beauty store in downtown Augusta, Georgia. We carry indie beauty products in the categories of skincare, bath + body, makeup, fragrance, and hair care. At FIELD, we only carry vegan and cruelty free products that are safe to use and free from potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, and silicones. We ensure that all the products we carry are formulated with blends of plant oils, botanical infusions and extracts, plant based additives, and clean synthetics. We strive for you to be able to shop for personal care products that are safe to use and free from potentially harmful ingredients.
Founder of FIELD Botanicals, Jennifer Tinsley, created FIELD with the vision to provide you with effective, clan beauty products from indie brands. Why indie? Indie, or independent, brands are built on inspiration and love, as well as a desire to educate people on the importance of high quality, effective clean ingredients. We want to support indie beauty from roots to leaf, so supporting smaller, yet quality brands is a priority.