Beauty comes from the inside out.
There’s no doubt about the fact that if we eat properly, stay hydrated and active, we’re far more likely to have clear skin, shiny hair and a natural glow compared to eating a highly processed diet, being sedentary and smoking.
And by following a Paleo regime, we regularly eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like wild fish and grass fed beef, high in vitamins and minerals such as those naturally occurring in local, seasonal produce while we steer clear of refined foods.
In particular, the Paleo lifestyle helps support healthy skin and hair by providing the following top eight essentials, often recommended by experts, which are key to creating that youthful appearance:
- Vitamin A Carrots: loaded with beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A increasing cell turnover and protecting the integrity of our skin
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Root vegetables and leafy greens, as well as cantaloupe, tuna, chicken, salmon, turkey and lamb top the chart as great sources of vitamin B
- Vitamin C – One medium red bell pepper will give you more than 100% of your dietary reference intake of wrinkle-fighting vitamin C.
- Vitamin E – Avocado provides plenty of this moisture-rich vitamin, helping to prevent dry skin, reduce free radicals and protect against damaging UV rays.
- Vitamin K – Kale, spinach, mustard and collard greens provide all you need of this vitamin and preliminary studies are suggesting it may also help with improving insulin resistance!
- Antioxidants – A mere 1/2 cup of raw blueberries provides a whopper of an anti-oxidant boom to your body!
- Omega 3s – Wild Salmon provides ample amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, which decreases dryness, keeps skin soft, reduces inflammation and helps ease psoriasis.
- Quercetin – Onions are rich in this antioxidant that protects against wrinkles.
If we first look at what we put into our bodies, we’re off to a great start.
But what do we put on our bodies?
It’s easy to get caught up in thinking the most costly eye cream is the best for treating under eye circles, or being fooled into believing that the latest imported moisturizing tonic will create locks worthy of being featured in an ad for long, healthy hair.
Admittedly, I too am a fan of a day of beauty and so I found it an intriguing venture to delve into the idea of DIY beauty, Paleoista Style.
A little research uncovered some great finds; and the list below is just the beginning!
Sugar
While we shy away from eating sugar, it turns out it has great skin benefits. The Wellness Mama shares a great recipe on her site:
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar (white sugar or brown sugar)
- ¼ cup oil (olive or coconut are great)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight jar.
- Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse will leave your skin feeling like silk.
Coconut oil
Cook with it, eat it raw…and put it on your hair! Its natural hydrating properties lend it perfectly to becoming a cost-effective hair treatment at home, that’ll leave your locks smelling like you’ve just come back from the islands. Simply melt it in a saucepan, apply to ends of hair (avoiding getting too close to the roots, as the scalp tends to be oilier), twist hair into a bun, ‘don a shower cap and head to bed. Not so sexy, but by the time you wash your hair in the morning, you’ll see it’s worth it. Repeat weekly or as needed depending on how dry your hair is.
Fresh cucumber
Spas aren’t using this bright green fruit for nothing! Rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that help with swelling, redness and irritation, and they also have a cooling effect that helps constrict dilated blood vessels, thus reducing the appearance of the puffiness around the eyes. Slice cucumber slices, place in the freezer for 10 minutes, then place over your eyes for about 30 minutes.
Vitamin E
Empowered Sustenance’s blog shares a great formula for an at-home recipe using Vitamin E to incorporate as part of your nightly regime:
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Jojoba Oil
- 1 vitamin E oil capsule
- Dark glass dropper bottle for storage
Instructions
- Fill the glass jar about 3/4 of the way with the jojoba oil. Prick the vitamin E capsule with a needle or the tip of a sharp knife. Squeeze the contents of the capsule into the jar. Place the lid on the jar and shake well to combine.
- When you are ready to remove your makeup, use about 1/2 teaspoon of your DIY Makeup Remover. Gently massage it onto your face, especially the eye area. It removes mascara like a charm, just be sure you use enough to fully saturate the eye area. Then, gently wipe off the oil with a cotton pad or damp washcloth. Voila, makeup all gone!
- Cleanse your face afterward
Essential Oils have been used for thousands of years in many cultures for a wide range of medicinal, health and beauty purposes. Made from distilling or extracting the different parts of plants including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin, and peels, there’s an oil for everything! Just be sure to confirm that the brand you purchase is edible as some may contain unhealthy additives and preservatives. Some of my favorite oils include:
Lavender
For relaxation and improved beauty sleep, simply rub a few drops on your palms and inhale deeply while in a calm, peaceful environment
Peppermint
Not only is chewing gum not Paleo, it’s often relied upon to freshen breath, masking potential underlying health issues. It’s one thing to have garlic breath after eating garlic, in which case a few drops of peppermint essential oil can help; it’s another to have a chronic problem. Yet one more reason to switch to the natural approach of Paleo eating!
Ginger
The perfect remedy for an upset stomach and also indicated for use as a natural anti-inflammatory aid. A few drops in hot water with lemon make for a lovely homemade tea.
Everything we need to nourish our bodies, from the inside and outside can be found in nature, in its purist form with nothing added.
Why not try your hand at some DIY treatments? They’re fun, cost-effective and probably better than what you’d find in a pre-packaged container…. not too different from how we approach our eating!
