I didn’t really make the connection between healthy living and the luminous glowing skin that I ‘d always wanted until my late teens. Reveling in awe at the seemingly ethereal skin of certain celebrities like Naomi Campbell or Rachel Roy, was something I did often while reading magazines or watching MTV. After seeing them, in whichever media source, I’d say to myself justifiably “Of course, they look amazing! They all must go to some exclusive state-of-the-art spa that caters exclusively to the needs of rich celebrities, lol…”. Just to provide additional context, I added images of some of the celebrities that I admired during my teenage years who just seemed to have it all together, and also had perfect skin.

For me, high school was riddled with unhealthy eating habits such as the overconsumption of snacks like Cup a Noodle, Oreos, and my personal favorite, Flamin Hot Cheetos, which I still indulge in from time-to-time).  Notably, I never really enjoyed physical activity. With the exception of a short stint on the track team, I didn’t participate in school sports nor exercise independently, ever. My friends and I did not participate during P.E. under any circumstances and mostly walked around the track during the “mile run”. It was during a rummage through my Mom’s beauty cabinet one day that I found St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub. As hilarious as it might sound today, using the apricot scrub surprisingly helped me to make connections between beauty, wellness, and healthy living. Consequently, that one can become more physically “beautiful” when the body is “well” within or externally due to continued practice of behaviors associated with healthy living choices. Such practices might include frequent skin exfoliation or drinking the recommended daily amount of water.

I, who has always enjoyed indulgent experiences, liked the smell of the Apricot Scrub and thought it would be fun to experience the beads gliding vigorously across my skin. I didn’t really make the connection between exfoliating and skin renewal or regeneration though. All I knew is that my skin felt great afterward and seem to be glowing! So, I bought my own Apricot Scrub and started my daily exfoliating routine. Within weeks, my skin became visible much clearer, softer, and brighter. The over-the-counter scrub even removed long-standing hyperpigmentation. I was sold. (They have since changed the apricot scrub formula.) There weren’t many exfoliation options in the drug stores back in the early 2000s, so it wasn’t until much later that I would begin seeking other tools like loofas and chemical peels to meet my exfoliation needs.

In college, after having a vegan friend school me, I became increasingly health conscious. I was intrigued by the fact that one could improve cognition, energy levels, and beautification all through using what resources were created for us by God in nature. Drinking herbal teas, eating Spirulina(lol) and taking vitamin supplements were all defining elements in creating a healthier wellness-focused life for myself. I started to receive compliments about my “glowing” skin, which of course previously seemed unobtainable without the aid of spa treatments. Spa treatments can be holistic as well as the communal aspect of the experience is therapeutic and feeds the spirit. My journey to the “healthiest” glowing skin will be lifelong and I am always seeking novel or interesting ways to reach my goals in a healthy way. Throughout the years I’ve witnessed some unhealthy trends in skin care that should be avoided, some of which are included below.

Slugging

Slugging is essentially coating one’s skin in a thick layer of petroleum jelly in an effort to prevent water loss, thus softening the skin. Petroleum jelly consists heavily of pore-clogging ingredients like mineral oil which can be problematic. Mineral oil is essentially the petroleum derivative that is used in gasoline production. Those with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin, especially, should refrain from participating in the practice of slugging.

Pore Vacuuming

It can be tempting to take matters into your own hands when it seems like there are so many readily available at-home treatment options out now. However, keep in mind before purchasing an item like a pore vacuum that there are certain risks associated with at-home administration. A pore vacuum is a tool typically used to remove oil, dead skin cells, and dirt from the pores. People who’ve used them report experiencing a more seamless makeup application experience and overall “glass” looking skin. The problem is that an untrained application, anything not performed by an esthetician can result in   bruised skin and telangiectasias. Consistent use of a natural facial toner and steaming with tea can effectively address the issue of enlarged pores, excess oil, and dead skin cells.  

Skin Lightening

Skin Lightening is a dangerous cosmetic practice that involves the application of harmful bleach-based products to the skin as a means of altering one’s natural skin color. This practice is unfortunately quite common in countries like India, as well as Africa, with large populations of dark-skinned inhabitants. Thankfully, recent social movements have lessened the lingering impact of the color stigma that has remained in these countries as a result of previous colonization. We have a complex colorism problem in America as well.  American-based Skin lightening products like Nadinola fade cream are almost equally as unhealthy for the skin as the ones sold overseas. If you are struggling with skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation and are seeking a skin-brightening remedy, take a look at this video below as retinoids can adequately address your concern. I just wanted to share that I have personally used over-the-counter Differin gel. It was first introduced to me when I was 15 years old but I discontinued usage after discovering benzoyl peroxide. I recently decided to resume usage of Differin gel because of its regenerative properties. It’s advisable that you search for natural retinol as opposed to synthetic ones. Below are 5 all-natural tips that you can use in improving your skin texture to achieve luminous, healthy glowing skin.

Tip # 1

Make Papaya face and body masks

Not only is the tropical fruit delicious to eat but effective in improving the appearance of dull or uneven skin tones.  Papaya includes an enzyme called papain that works to naturally exfoliate skin. The removal of dead skin cells tightens and tones the skin as well. Papain aids in the removal of damaged keratin that can form unsightly small bumps on the surface of the skin. You can get creative and make DIY papaya-based skin care products. Take a look at these face mask recipes below for inspiration.

Exfoliate

I cannot express enough how important exfoliating is for maintaining healthy glowing skin. Did you know that the top layer of your skin completely sheds and regenerates every 28 days? When the layer of dead skin cells is not adequately removed, it can result in skin that is dry or dull in appearance. You can help facilitate the process by sloughing off the dead skin cells to reveal the new skin underneath. I use an exfoliator at least once per day, but some people choose to use it once per week. It is up to you to decide what is most appropriate for meeting your needs. There are various forms of exfoliator, ranging from chemical to full-body sugar scrubs. When choosing a scrub be mindful of the ingredients. Try to purchase products that contain the least amount of synthetic ingredients and include bases like natural oils or salts.

Drink a Lot of Water.

Water hosts a variety of health benefits, including providing necessary moisture to the skin. The skin is actually an organ, the largest organ in the human body to be exact. Skin that is devoid of water, becomes dry, tight, and sometimes cracked. In addition, it will become increasingly susceptible to premature aging. Each of these factors is integral in determining the outward appearance or luminosity of the skin.  Drinking plenty of water also facilitated the elimination of toxins and increases blood flow throughout the body, resulting in improved skin complexion. In all honesty, I have always struggled to drink water and have only met one other person that shares this peculiarity! If you find it to be a little bland, try adding lemon juice to your bottle to liven it up a little. You can get the recommended daily amount of water, which is about 3 liters, through foods and drinks with high water content. For example, I eat a ton of watermelon and drink a lot of herbal teas, as stated above. Check out this video below for tips on how to increase your water intake.

Drink and Eat Aloe Vera.

Lastly, the aloe vera plant is a highly effective natural beauty remedy, providing long-lasting results as it beautifies the skin. Aloe vera contains vitamins A, B12, C, and E. The plant is also rich in the following properties: lignin, salicylic acids, saponins, and various skin-boosting amino acids. Additionally, it contains aloesin, which lightens dark patches, age spots, freckles, and acne marks naturally when active. I use a combination of equal parts 100% aloe vera gel and a coconut hibiscus-based body oil on my body after taking a shower. The feeling or sensation of the aloe vera gel mixture gliding across my skin is both invigorating and calming. It definitely wakes me up in the morning. I also drink 100% aloe vera juice to replenish my body internally. You can find 100% aloe vera juice at your local drug stores like Walgreens or CVS. Below is a video with sweet Grandma Dathi, a woman who’s been growing aloe vera plants in her front yard successfully for years.

Apply Vitamin E oil to the Face and Body Scars.

It has been my personal experience that the skin appears more luminous and glows naturally when it is devoid of scars. I think it is a bit unrealistic to remove all of them completely, however, there are steps you can take in evening out the texture and improve the appearance of the scarred skin.  One remedy that you can use in achieving scar-free skin is through applying vitamin e oil to the impacted area of your body. Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant effects.” It can be found naturally in our skin’s oil, nuts, seeds, leafy vegetables, and vegetable oils. Vitamin E oil binds to the skin to create a barrier that traps shine-inducing moisture. Furthermore, it directly addresses skin-dulling hyperpigmentation with its sun-protecting properties. If purchasing vitamin E oil at a store, be sure to read the ingredients as many today labeled 100% vitamin e oil contain additional ingredients. I purchase my vitamin E oil on Amazon to ensure. The last video provides a short of how to use vitamin e oil on the skin.