When we think of healthy-looking skin, we describe it with plumpness, radiance and glow. While countless "fast-skincare" products promise to erase flaws from your face, naturally healthy skin depends on many factors. Causes such as dehydration, diet, lifestyle or skincare skimping can rob the complexion of its vibrant glow. This guide is for anyone curious about a "less is more" lifestyle to find out what it takes for a healthy skincare routine but don't know where, why or how to start.
Here, we would explain how to achieve healthy skin inside and out.
Healthy skin care regimen: What does it really mean?
The skin is as complex and intelligent as our lungs, heart, liver, and other vital organs. It is the largest organ in our body, carrying so many functions and a multitasker. "There are a variety of elements that affect our skin," says one of New York City's top skincare experts and dermatologists, Dr. Georgina Ferzli, "including mental health, habits, gut health, stress levels, and the way we feel about ourselves." Our inner harmony and serenity are reflected both internally and externally in the appearance of our skin. So a big step towards healthier skin is understanding the relationship between the skin and other daily factors that affect it.
At Matinata, when we say healthy skin care, we're talking about science-backed ways and organic products that promote rejuvenation and improve both the look and function of your skin. Healthy skin care means pampering yourself by mastering the basics, nothing more. If your question is - how can I get healthy skin naturally - read on. In this guide, we've scoured the research and looked to time-tested rituals to find the best advice on the road to glowing, youthful skin.
What to know before you begin?
Both a good lifestyle and a healthy skin care regimen can prevent various skin problems, delay natural ageing, calm irritation and transform your skin that looks dull and tired into a radiant and glowing one. There's no question about whether you need a naturally healthy skin care routine - we all certainly do. However, one element without another cannot guarantee the best results.
Before you consider what to include in your skincare routine, keep in mind that everyone's skin is unique - what works for your friend, relative, or influencer may not be best for you. Maybe the most important step in caring for your skin is to understand your specific skin type and address any major concerns.
What is your skin type?
There are three main skin types, commonly referred to as:
- Combination & Oily
- Balanced
- Dry & Dehydrated
Based on these skin types, you can determine where your skin fits in best. By taking the time to learn the specific needs of your skin type, you can choose the right healthy skincare products that will balance the skin and lead to a glowing, healthier complexion.
Combination & oily skin
If you have Combination to Oily type of skin, you most likely experience dryness on your cheeks because your skin underproduces lipids there and overproduces them in the T-zone. Daily exfoliation is important to keep the T-zone and cheek area in balance. However, this skin type needs gentle ingredients, without harsh cleansers and cleansers, compromising the skin's protective barrier. In your skincare routine for oily and combination skin, a few quality ingredients that aren't too heavy but are rich enough would retain moisture where needed most. Read the labels of your products and steer clear of products that contain sulfates, as these strips the skin of oil and stimulate the skin to produce more oil. Instead, look for natural oils that are rich in linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory ingredients and natural humectants that soothe the skin.
Shop our best picks for Combination to Oily Skin
Balanced skin
If you have a normal-type of skin, your skin is skin tolerant - well-balanced and not prone to sensitivity. A sign of radiant and naturally healthy skin is a velvety, soft and smooth complexion with fine pores and no blemishes. The overall moisture and sebum balance of your skin is balanced and the upper skin layer is neither too oily nor too dry. The care of the normal skin type is the easiest. Choose products with a holistic approach to a natural lifestyle and find a mainstay for your healthy skin care: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Look for antioxidants and natural humectants in products that draw moisture to your skin and stimulate cell repair and collagen production. Start with a small amount and increase as needed to avoid over-hydrating or stressing your skin.
Shop our best picks for Balanced Skin
Dry & dehydrated skin
If your skin feels tight throughout the day and you experience noticeable flaking, you have a dry skin type. Some other signs of dry skin are rough texture, visible lines, and red patches. It is mainly due to drying environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle and hormonal changes, genetics and ageing, or simply the season and climate. Such skin type is cured by proper lifestyle choices and ingredients that repair the skin barrier, as the skin has lost the ability to regulate moisture in the upper layers of the skin due to a lack of skin-friendly lipids. In your healthy skincare routine, look for non-abrasive ingredients that promote skin cell turnover and draw moisture from the skin without stripping the skin's natural oils.
Shop our best picks for Dry and Dehydrated Skin
What are the best foods for healthy skin?
We are what we eat. In other words, what you put into your body reflects on your skin appearance. If your ultimate goal is healthy skin and a glow from the inside out, don't undernourish your body and expect great results. Like real food, your skin enjoys minerals, vitamins, bioavailable nutrients and antioxidants. Your healthy skincare starts in your gut, so what you feed your body is just as important as what you put on it.
The best foods for healthy skin are antioxidant-rich foods, good-fat treats, and fruits that contain vitamin C, which is known to promote collagen growth. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also crucial for skin appearance and health, as they help minimize inflammation and improve the lipid barrier.
Some of the best foods for healthy skin
- cranberries, blueberries, red beans, pinto beans,
- avocados, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds
- tomatoes, garlic, leafy greens, bell peppers,
- citrus fruits, grapes, watermelon, and kiwi.
On the other hand, regardless of skin, it is good to stay away from salty and highly processed foods as they are saboteurs of healthy-looking skin. Refined sugar and alcohol are incredibly dehydrating, and they will suck the plumpness out of your skin. However, if wine is your vice - opt for red, especially sulfite-free red wine. It's rich in skin-supporting antioxidant resveratrol, which won't affect your metabolism the way a sugary mixed drink will, but try to stick to one glass.
Drink water - it's the easiest and quickest way to keep your skin in good condition and boost your glow. Although H2O hydration is vital to keep your skin glowing, if you want to have healthy-looking skin, you need to do more than drink water. Try to incorporate vegetables and fruit juices into your diet, which contain fibre and other essential nutrients that help wash out the toxins that affect your overall skin health.
Some of the best drinks for healthy skin
- aloe vera juice
- tomato juice
- green tea
- carrot and beetroot juice
- papaya, cucumber, and lemon juice.
How to get better skin with natural skin care products?
When it comes to better skin and healthy skincare, it's easy to be tempted by promises of instant skin changes. Very often, quick fixes mean harsh ingredients. Instead, look for products that combine organic and skin-friendly ingredients with science to promote rejuvenation and balance. When choosing skincare, look for labels that identify formulas as non-sensitizing and non-irritating and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, and sulfate-containing cleansers, phthalates, urea, DEA or TEA. You can still pamper yourself by paying attention to the basics. Look for evidence-based formulations in natural skincare products. Natural skincare and a healthy lifestyle can help delay ageing and prevent various skin problems like redness and itching. Try to take care of your skin with gentle but effective ingredients that have been proven to bring transformation over time, rather than treating your skin as a problem that needs to be solved.
What are the basic steps of a natural healthy skin care routine?
Bringing about changes to your skin takes not only time but also the proper care. A healthy skin care routine means taking care of your skin every day. Your routine steps can make a big difference, from choosing the right ingredients to selecting the right products for your skin type. The goal of a healthy skincare routine is to tune up your complexion to work at its best and also to target or improve areas you want to work on. Never underestimate going back to basics, so remember that your skincare routine consists of three main steps:
Cleansing - washing your face
Cleansing is overlooked by so many and is a hugely underrated step in the daily skincare routine. Yet anyone can have great skin if a proper skin cleansing routine is in place. Our skin comes into contact with dirt, environmental pollutants, and other factors daily that should be gently removed. Wash twice a day, morning and night, to avoid dullness, clogged pores and acne. Double cleansing at the end of the day to remove all makeup, dirt, pollution and sebum accumulated in your pores will allow your skin to breathe at night. If you have a dry, tight feeling after washing your face, it's likely due to high pH cleansers that can throw your skin out of balance. The right formula should cleanse your skin without stripping it of essential, healthy oils or clogging pores, leaving your facial skin happy and balanced.
For daily cleansing, look for a double-duty product - a cleanser with rejuvenating skincare properties suitable for all skin types. Take care of your skin with a soothing ritual that glides over your skin to remove makeup, impurities and SPF without stripping or drying it out. Our re.start cleansing oil is an innovative oil-to-milk formula that leaves your skin clean, fresh and ready for a healthy routine. It's free from harsh sulfates, soap bases or cleansers that can cause imbalance and harm the skin's natural barrier.
Moisturizing - hydrating and softening your skin
Essentially, moisturizers provide long-lasting hydration preventing water loss through the outer layers of the skin. We all need moisture, but the moisturizing combination will vary depending on skin type. Like cleansers, you should use a moisturizer every time you cleanse your skin. They are most effective when applied while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture. When choosing your skin care, look for moisturizers carefully formulated with skin-loving ingredients for vitality and rejuvenation.
An excellent moisturizing product should contain a balanced lipid complex that preserves epidermal barrier function and improves moisture retention without clogging pores and feeling heavy on the skin. Our re.vamp complete moisturizer is best applied in the morning after cleansing the skin. You can use it alone, mix it with re.water serum for dehydrated skin, or complement it with re.glow oil serum for dry skin. Serums are powerful allies of the skin, filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients. They help skin cells retain moisture, fight free radicals and reduce the formation of wrinkles.
Applying SPF - protecting your skin
Sunscreen is the essential skincare product and an important part of your healthy skincare year-round regimen. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer from developing and helps prevent textural imperfections, fine lines, and wrinkles. Experts often advise using a broad-spectrum sun protection factor of at least 30. Some moisturizers contain SPF, but most do not. In this case, it's good to double up on sunscreen and remember to reapply. Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays to maintain your youthful skin.
How to make beautiful skin in a holistic approach?
Take vitamins for healthy skin
You can take vitamins for healthy skin either as an oral supplement, get them from the food, or apply them directly to your skin. Like real food, our skin enjoys vitamins and bioavailable nutrients and never gets tired of it. Though topical application immediately and directly affects the skin, and oral supplement impacts the health of your whole body. Vitamins for healthy skin are Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K. You can find them in organic skincare products with naturally derived ingredients that will improve the overall quality of your skin and health in the long run.
Exercise regularly
According to skincare experts at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), moderate exercise can boost your immune system and improve circulation, beneficial for your skin and overall health. Exercise stimulates your blood vessels to expand, and more oxygen and blood flow to the skin's surface, which can help flush out toxins. As a result, you may experience a brighter appearance and more youthful skin. Stress can also cause facial tension and general discomfort, making your skin look less radiant. Exercise can release feel-good endorphins that make you feel more relaxed and pave the way to naturally beautiful skin.
How does healthy skin care look like for a specific skin condition?
Suppose you have a medical skin condition such as psoriasis, severe acne, rosacea, or eczema. In that case, you need to see a dermatologist and make skincare decisions with their input. However, for such conditions that affect your skin, your skin is likely to be more sensitive to synthetic and harsh skincare products. Still, you don’t want to do anything that might exacerbate the underlying condition. Therefore, search for the best quality and careful selection of natural skin care ingredients. Look for labels that identify formulas as non-sensitizing and non-irritating.
In your healthy skin care, routine include ingredients that positively affect the skin and contribute to the protection, nourishment, hydration, collagen production, dewy skin glow, and skin barrier repair. We label the ingredients, and for each product, we show the organic and natural percentage. Combining natural ingredients in active concentrations and synergistic ways makes skin care a superfood for the skin. We have a few skincare tips and the ultimate steps to follow while incorporating these formulas and gentle ingredients into your healthy skin care ritual.
Our best skincare tips and steps:
- Hydrate
- Cleanse
- Moisturize
- SPF
- Include Balanced Diet
- Humidify the Indoor Air
- Sleep and Relax
Organic skin care products to try
We suggest checking out the Matinata Luxury Organic Skin Care Collection created with love for skin in mind. This collection is simple but intuitive and easy to mix and match. It is adaptable to seasons, changes and years, and there is something for every skin type. We have formulated products by combining organic and natural ingredients to bring new radiance and strength to the skin showing signs of ageing. Check out the complete product list here.
Let’s sum it up: How to create a natural healthy skin care routine?
In the end, the skin is our largest organ, so we want to take care of it. Taking steps to best identify what suits your skin is essential for it to function and look its best. Rather than treating your skin as a problem to be solved, try nurturing it in your everyday healthy skin care with gentle yet effective ingredients. Luxury organic products born from a "less is more" philosophy of life are proven to bring transformation over time. By incorporating kind-to-skin ingredients into our formulas, we care for your skin both effectively and gently. Keeping the health of your skin in mind and “checking in” regularly to determine whether any adjustments to your current healthy skin care ritual are necessary to keep it naturally beautiful and balanced.