Holistic Beauty & Beautiful Skin

Emotions, lifestyle, environment, personal history… Our skin tells us and says who we are. If we know the importance of lifestyle for our health, it is just as important for the balance and radiance of our skin: this is what we call holistic beauty.

Far from being a uniform texture, our skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the thinnest layer which is also our first barrier of protection against external aggressions. The dermis, thicker, which gives the skin its suppleness and firmness thanks to its numerous collagen and elastin fibers. And finally the hypodermis, the thickest and deepest layer.

A direct link between our brain and our cutaneous nervous system

This three-level mechanism suggests an obvious principle: to act on our skin, we must think globally. The role of cosmetics is certainly crucial to treat the epidermis and preserve its role as a barrier against external aggressions. But it must be complemented by a more holistic approach.

A first clue is provided by recent scientific discoveries, notably those of French professor Laurent Misery. Head of the dermatology department at Brest University Hospital and director of the neuroscience laboratory at the University of Western Brittany, this specialist in the link between skin and brain studies how neurotransmitters – these chemical messengers circulating between the skin and the nervous system – exert an influence on the functions of the skin.

These findings indicate that neurotransmitters can influence tissue thickness, but also the production of collagen and sebum, skin pigmentation, and even the immune response.

The skin, a reflection of our emotions

This link between skin and brain is confirmed in the well-known physical manifestation of our emotions: redness during strong anger, whiteness in the face of fear, radiance in the case of happiness, dull complexion suggesting conversely sadness, or even depression. So much so that according to Doctor Danièle Pomey-Rey, dermatologist and psychoanalyst at the Saint-Louis hospital in Paris (France), 80% of skin diseases would have a psychological origin: " The person who suffers from it is someone who has a lot to say, but who cannot. He then speaks with his skin. " Psoriasis can be a sign of suppressed anger, eczema of anxiety, acne a possible manifestation in the case of mourning or a period of intense stress.

Lifestyle and skin health are closely linked

Everything agrees to consider the health of our skin as closely dependent on our moods and the stress that our daily life imposes on it. By "stress" we mean here all the negative influences that our skin encounters throughout the day. Schematically, the concept of holistic beauty divides the origins into two categories: the environment and the lifestyle.

On the environmental side, the disruptive factors that attack our skin barrier – this famous epidermis – are pollution, sun and humidity. The first releases radicals that weaken the hyaluronic acid and collagen molecules responsible for the elasticity of the skin. The second emits UV-A rays that penetrate deep into the skin and alter the collagen structure. As for the third, the lack of humidity (especially in winter with drier air), it amplifies the phenomenon of flaking and dehydration of the skin. In all cases, the consequences are the same: spots, loss of elasticity and reinforcement of wrinkles!

In addition to these external factors, our lifestyle has a considerable influence, on our general health of course, and on our skin in particular. Sleep, physical activity and eating habits are the key points. Researchers from the British University of Saint Andrews have shown that exercising, losing fat mass and sleeping well at night boost skin color. A balanced diet would also influence the balance and beauty of the complexion, the epidermis accumulating colored pigments present in particular in fruits and vegetables.

Some common sense tips for glowing skin

The conclusion of this data set is clear. For radiant skin, it is naturally necessary to adopt a more holistic beauty routine. To do this, you must start by equipping yourself with skincare products adapted to your specific needs, such as a skincare cream . But it is necessary to go further and think globally. To do this, respecting a few simple principles is essential:

Sleep well, because it is during this period of sleep that our skin best recharges its natural defenses;
Protect yourself from the sun, by keeping your face and body in the shade as much as possible and/or using a sunscreen SPF 50 suited to your skin type; and from pollution.
Favor a balanced diet with natural products, favoring seasonal foods, rich in vitamins, lean proteins, trace elements, Omega 3 acids and antioxidants (fish, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, etc.);
Hydrate regularly: at least two liters of water per day (be careful, tea or coffee do not replace it because they dehydrate);
Find ways to learn to better manage your stress and emotions, for example by following one or other of the existing methods: mindfulness meditation, sophrology, cardiac coherence, behavioral therapies, etc.
And of course, practice regular physical activity to act directly on the radiance of our skin.

Nothing insurmountable, especially since this holistic beauty approach linked to our overall well-being produces positive effects on our face and body in just a few weeks!