Natural Radiance
We’ve all heard the term “beauty rest” and understand why it is important. But we may not necessarily associate exercise with youthful, glowing skin. Let’s change that by exploring how to make the most of your heart-pumping activities, while avoiding the pitfalls that may sabotage your efforts. As we finish up with my beautiful skin series, we will look at the science-backed reasons why we should prioritize quality rest and daily exercise not only for overall health, but also to cultivate radiant skin.
Why Exercise is Foundational for Beautiful Skin
It probably won’t come as a surprise exercise is included in my personal self-care routine for promoting health and glowing skin.1 After all, when you get your heart pumping, it improves circulation and the availability of oxygen, antioxidants, and other skin-supporting compounds. It also increases mitochondrial health (the energy center of your cells), which are involved in the production of collagen and elastin, wound healing, and skin barrier function.2
Need another reason to get moving? Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, which breaks down the collagen and elastin in your skin.3 This in turn promotes sagging, wrinkles, and less-than-ideal texture. Stress is also pro-inflammatory and inflammation negatively impacts your ability to produce collagen.4
Exercise is well-known for its ability to relieve stress — with one caveat: strenuous, heavy exercise (long distance running, aerobic exercise for hours on end, triathlons, etc.) can backfire due to the free-radicals and inflammation created in the body during intense physical stress. It is also crucial to pay attention to where you exercise — if it is outdoors, you are exposed to the elements and UV radiation, which take a toll on your skin. A good moisturizer with plenty of free-radical scavenging antioxidants and a natural sunscreen are an absolute must.
Keep in mind, stress isn’t the only aspect that can cause inflammation. Diet, lifestyle, autoimmunity, poor health, and even the state of your gut can influence the inflammatory response. Since gut health and the microbiome are closely tied to the immune system and whether or not we have problems with inflammation, it is important to address any issues with this often overlooked bodily system. I know for myself and many others, healing the gut with our Balanced Gut Blend was a major turning point in cooling inflammation and regaining health.
Beauty Sleep — More Important Than You May Think
Most are aware of the importance of quality rest for overall health and well-being, along with putting a fresh face forward in the morning. But most American adults aren’t getting enough deep, restorative sleep — and this promotes rapid aging of the skin. Why? Because your body repairs itself during sleep and this includes the skin. It is also a prime time for collagen production. When we skimp on sleep or it isn’t restorative, we wake up to a washed out complexion, puffy eyes and dark circles, lack of firmness, and increased wrinkles and fine lines.5
If you find yourself struggling with getting enough quality rest, these posts are brimming with science-backed tips for encouraging deep, rejuvenating sleep. Herbal remedies are also an excellent ally. My favorite botanicals for this purpose include:
Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)
Hops Strobile Flower (Humulus lupulus)
German Chamomile Flower (Matricaria chamomilla)
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).
Each is found in our powerfully effective Sleep Blend in the apothecary.
FINALLY HAD GOOD, RESTFUL SLEEP — THE BEST IN A VERY LONG TIME!
“I slept for 10 hours last night. 9:30pm-7:35. My husband poked his head in the bedroom and said “Are you OK” because he knew I only slept for 5 or 6 hours tops. Plus I was due for my nebulizer treatment. Didn’t have to take my normal nap today and felt energized. Thank you Nicole for another awesome tincture! -Dianne S.
Herbal Face Food: The Ultimate Skincare Solution
Don’t forget about topical nourishment and protection for your skin. If you want to feed your skin with the best of nature and defy the aging process, you need to try Herbal Face Food — the cream and serum I swear by.
Herbal Face Food is not your ordinary skin care product. It is a unique blend of 100% natural and organic ingredients that are wild harvested from rare and remote corners of the globe. No fillers, no chemicals, no nonsense. Just pure plant-powered goodness that works wonders for your skin.
The cream and serum are more than simply moisturizers. They are also antioxidant, antiviral, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. What’s more, these products are GMO-free, vegan, and ethically sourced, so you can feel good about what you put on your skin.
I have been using Herbal Face Food for over a year now, and I can see and feel the difference. My skin is smoother, firmer, brighter, and more radiant. I started with The Serum I and The Cream, which are rich in healing and anti-aging extracts that rejuvenate your skin cells. I recently added their eye cream to my routine and I love how it reduces the puffiness and dark circles around my eyes.
If you are looking for a long-lasting skin care product that delivers real results, look no further than Herbal Face Food. It is the ultimate skin care solution that you deserve. Try it today and see for yourself!
If you would like to give Herbal Face Food a try, my readers will receive a generous 30% discount by using the code: NicoleA30 at checkout. I hope you will love these products as much as I do!
Are you curious about the first two posts in this series? See “The Secret to Beautiful Skin (Part I): Face Yoga” and “The Secret to Beautiful Skin (Part II): Diet + Herbs“.
Nicole Apelian
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
Balanced Gut Blend Tincture
Sleep Blend Tincture
References
- Simmons, G. H., Wong, B. J., Holowatz, L. A., & Kenney, W. L. (2011). Changes in the control of skin blood flow with exercise training: where do cutaneous vascular adaptations fit in?. Experimental physiology, 96(9), 822–828. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2010.056176
- Sorriento, D., Di Vaia, E., & Iaccarino, G. (2021). Physical Exercise: A Novel Tool to Protect Mitochondrial Health. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 660068. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.660068
- Mi, Y., Wang, W., Zhang, C., Liu, C., Lu, J., Li, W., Zuo, R., Myatt, L., & Sun, K. (2017). Autophagic Degradation of Collagen 1A1 by Cortisol in Human Amnion Fibroblasts. Endocrinology, 158(4), 1005–1014. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2016-1829
- Liu, Y. Z., Wang, Y. X., & Jiang, C. L. (2017). Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 11, 316. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00316
- Sundelin, T., Lekander, M., Kecklund, G., Van Someren, E. J., Olsson, A., & Axelsson, J. (2013). Cues of fatigue: effects of sleep deprivation on facial appearance. Sleep, 36(9), 1355–1360. https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.2964
