Ask Mother Moon

​Q: I’m 35 and I’ve been breaking out every month just before my period. I had amazing skin as a teenager. What's up with that?! I’m also starting to get fine lines and wrinkles. Do you have any advice for healthier skin?
 
A: There are many things that can contribute to breakouts and premature wrinkles. Diet and lifestyle habits play a huge role in the overall health of your skin. Hormonal imbalance is another major contributing factor, especially in women who are experiencing adult acne.
 
When it comes to skin health, you obviously want to focus on the surface issues (acne, wrinkles, rosacea, etc.). But we also need to take a deeper look at your overall health to understand why these issues are happening in the first place. The goal is to address the specific concerns with the skin while also healing the body from the inside out.
 
Here are a few of my favorite tips for healthy glowing skin!
 
Stay hydrated-

• Drink lots of room temperature water throughout the day.

 

• Organic bone broth is fantastic for your skin. What’s so great about bone broth? It has tons of collagen, protein and many more nourishing nutrients that are not only skin, hair and nails look great but also boost your immunity and keep you strong and healthy. Collagen maintains the skin’s elasticity and firmness, promotes smooth, supple skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you don’t have time to make your own bone broth you can find it at your local co-op or health food store near the soup stocks or in the refrigerated section. EPIC’s bone broth is my favorite because it tastes amazing! Drink ½ cup daily and watch your skin improve!

 

• Matcha Green Tea is loaded with antioxidants, which promotes beautiful and youthful skin, boosts the immune system, encourages healthy weight loss and enhances memory and concentration. Matcha green tea powder can be found in the tea section or bulk food section at the co-op. I put my favorite Matcha Green Tea Latte recipe on my blog. Check it out!

 
Get Plenty of Rest-

• The power of sleep is so under rated in our busy culture. Aim to get at least 8 hours of good quality sleep each night.

 

• If you’re concerned about deep wrinkles try to sleep on your back rather than your side as long as it’s comfortable for you. If you’re in the mood to splurge you can get some satin pillowcases. They’re much softer and gentler on the skin than cotton.

 
Eat the Right Foods-

• A healthy body equals healthy skin. Make sure that your diet consists of 95% whole organic foods. Whole foods means unprocessed or minimally processed foods that you can recognize. If you have to read a long list of ingredients on a box, you’re in the wrong place!

 

• Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables (roasted, sautéed, or grilled) every day, healthy grains like quinoa, brown rice and buckwheat, and small amounts of organic, grass-fed meats, wild caught and fish. Snack on nuts, dried fruits, coconut chips and fruit. Your skin will be so happy!

 

• Salmon, avocado, bone broth, blueberries, lemon, tumeric are power foods for healthy and beautiful skin. These foods have a combination of healthy fats, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which help fight the aging process.

 
 
Know What to Avoid- 

• Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, greasy foods, highly processed foods, sugar and dairy are all hard on the digestive system and will reflect poorly on your skin.

 

• If you’re suffering from acne it is particularly important to lay off sugar, dairy, shellfish, fried, greasy, and processed foods.

 

• If your skin is dry or you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles or you have rosacea, increase healthy fats and water rich foods and avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar and spicy foods.

 
 
Address the Underlying Issues-

• No matter what we’re treating, whether it’s skin issues, insomnia, digestion or hormonal issues, Chinese medicine is interested in identifying and correcting the root cause of the imbalance.  A healthy glowing complexion is a natural reflection of a healthy body, mind and spirit. Mother Moon Acupuncture offers facial rejuvenation acupuncture treatments address your specific areas of concern while simultaneously restoring overall health, balancing hormones, improving mood, and relieving stress. 

 
 
If you’ve got a skin issue that you’d like to improve head to the Contact page to set up your Initial Consultation + Treatment. During your first session we’ll discuss your specific skin concerns and take a detailed health history to determine the root cause of your skin issues.
 
 I love helping your friends and family! If know someone who’s struggling with their skin please share this article with someone who could benefit from this information. 
 
Thank you for reading!
 
With Love,
Meghan
 
 
PS. Do you have a question about women’s health? Click here to submit your question and watch to see if it gets answered in my next newsletter.