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Is your skin getting the right amount of oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy? Vital to the longevity of your skin is its dependence on efficient delivery of nutrients via circulation.
The intricate network of tiny blood vessels and capillaries that feed your skin makes up your cutaneous circulation system. This system also helps to transport carbon dioxide and other waste products away from your skin, preventing a build-up of toxins.
In the skincare world, an important part of skin analysis is to touch the skin and observe our client’s to determine whether they have over-circulated or under-circulated skin. Over-circulated skin is when the skin over reacts to internal or external stimuli by flushing. These skin types must focus on limiting triggers like spicy foods, extreme heat or cold, red wine and harsh skincare products. They should baby their skin with cooling ingredients like azulene, chamomile or seawhip.
As we age our skin tends to become under-circulated. Skin that is under-circulated looks dull, dry, sometimes pasty and will loose tone and wrinkle faster. If your skin isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to thrive then you may notice these changes. If your blood lacks oxygen it can cause skin discolorations which is why those that suffer from anaemia, often notice their skin becomes pale and sallow.
Spots often appear if you are under-circulated. If your body isn’t able to transport enough oxygen-rich blood to your skin that also means, by the same token, it won’t be taking the waste products away as efficiently, which can result in a build-up of toxins, resulting in unevenly pigmentation.
If you suffer from itchy skin or eczema and not giving it proper nutrition, your skin becomes more susceptible to eczema flare-ups. The reason being, if all those waste products are building up, your skin becomes more vulnerable to inflammation, triggering an eczema response. Poor circulation can also result in a weakened barrier layer which then leads to dehydration and dry skin.
Over time, toxins and waste products that are not effectively eliminated from the body build up and affect various organs and systems, including the lymphatic system. Stressed lymph nodes excrete toxins through the skin which can result in acne breakouts
What to do?
GET MOVING
One of the best benefits of being active is that it increases blood flow to your skin. Physical activity is extremely important for getting your blood pumping, which can help to increase your circulation of oxygen-rich blood. It doesn’t need to be anything too intense – you don’t have to start marathon running or hitting the gym for hours a day. A couple of aerobics classes each week or a gentle, low impact form of exercise such as walking regularly can be just as beneficial.
EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
Exfoliating a couple times a week with as smooth surfaced scrub brings fresh blood to the skin to feed it effectively. Make sure you are using smooth surfaced particles, like the plant ivory found in ECOSMOOTH. These particles are like tiny ball bear-rings that roll easily over the skin without causing little tears or inflammation. Your skin will suddenly look fresh and dawn a nice radiant glow.
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for your skin and circulatory system. If you’re not drinking enough water, it can affect how blood is transported around your body, as well as its volume. Not all drinks help to keep you hydrated – soda, caffeine and alcohol can all work to dehydrate your body so it’s best to focus on good, old fashioned plain water!
Give yourself a facial massage. Even if you can’t get to the spa, try a little facial massage at home. I do this every morning and night using a milky facial cleanser like KUKUI cleansing milk for dry skin. Spend an extra thirty seconds gently moving your cleanser around your face before rinsing it off. Don’t underestimate the value of choosing the right cleanser and massaging it in. Do this regularly, you’ll feel so much more hydrated!
FEED YOUR SKIN THE RIGHT STUFF
For blood to carry nutrients to your skin you need to provide your body with the antioxidants and the superfoods it needs. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that are richly pigmented. Bright colored food means that food contains anti-aging antioxidants. The capillaries themselves need certain nutrients to stay healthy and well functioning. Vitamin C is particularly important in maintaining the integrity of the capillary walls. You can deliver about 60% of your skin's Vitamin C requirement (to support collagen production) when you topically apply a stabilized formula like our C & E ANTIOXIDANT SERUM.
Bioflavonoids often paired with Vitamin C have been extensively studied and found to strengthen leaky capillary walls. You can increase your bioflavonoids by eating the pulp in citrus fruits or supplementing with our BIOFLAVONOID TONER. Skins with lots of broken capillaries but feel cool to the touch often have developed dilated capillaries due to too much sun exposure rather inflammation. This skin type would due well by using the massage method mentioned above. But, with this skin type try a gentle scrub like HONEY BEADS. Try mixing your cleanser in with the scrub to buffer the scrubbing action. Thus, making it gentler for this more volatile skin.
Don't forget the importance of good circulation by adding these suggestions to your daily lifestyle habits as well as product additions to promote longevity for your skin.