Skin-care I: Three main rules and supplements I use

From Real Life to Reels

Hello, gorgeous folks of the nets!

If you follow Ivy Chan Wellness on Instagram you might have come across my skin-care-related reels, and stories. I like to keep things organized and tidy, so I wanted to carry that discussion here, under one roof, and provide y’all with a clear list of supplements, recommendations, skin-care basics, and more specialized treatments. To do that, I will have to have multiple blog posts here, which is why this first one is titled numero uno, and it will be based on my very first two (and incredibly amateurish!)

Hormone imbalance and sleep deprivation: what tools do I use?

I wrote here about my experience with hormone imbalance, how I had wrongly been diagnosed with PCOS, and how I have benefited from a combination of a healthy diet and stress management. I constantly talk and write about the importance of hormone balance for wellness. It is not surprising that, as our largest organ, the skin suffers a lot from the negative effects of hormone-related problems. Any skin-care regimen needs to include a hormone-friendly diet (including herbs); a lifestyle that helps to manage stress;  and a good amount and quality of sleep every night. All these affect our hormone health, which, in turn, increases cravings, affects our sleep and energy, and creates more stress on the system overall.

BUT

Sometimes, there are factors outside our control (a newborn, a less-than-ideal sleep arrangement, night shifts, etc). If that is the case, it is especially important to benefit from as many tools as we can, to give as much strength and balance to our (endocrine) system and keep our skin youthful. Below I will first focus on my three main rules regarding the relationship between nutrition and skin care, then, list the items/tools I mention on Instagram. I use most of these on a regular basis, some only temporarily, to treat a specific condition.

Three main rules

1. Eat your water. Instead of spending too much energy trying to drink gallons of water, try to eat as many hydrating foods as possible. Think vegetables like celeries, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots; fruits like watermelon, berries, grapes. These will give you hydration, as well as many other nutrients that will benefit your skin. Instead of flushing the nutrients by drinking too much water, hold that water in by eating yummy veggies and fruits;)
2. Focus on digestion. We are not what we eat, but what we digest. You might be eating the healthiest, most skin-friendly food on earth, but as long as your digestion is not working ideally, your body will not be able to absorb it all. If you are suffering from less-than-optimal digestion, try to eat your largest portion at lunch time; consider food combining (check out my posts here, and here); consider adding warming spices like cinnamon, clove, cumin, coriander; or adding supplements like Sakara metabolism powder which I mention here (Discount code: XOIVY). A little salt, too- salt has a bad reputation, but a little bit of Himalayan salt will actually increase your metabolism. Sodium from processed foods is not the same as sodium from a high-quality salt which you add to your home-made soup.
3. Don’t catastrophize– just be consistent. We all go through phases. You had tons of processed food one day? Don’t let it ruin your entire week. Start the next day with some warm water, and a light breakfast, continue with a nutritious and healthy lunch, spiced with warming spices; and end the day with a light dinner. Consume herbal teas, especially those known to be digestion-friendly like ginger and mint, and move on from that. Be careful about how you speak with/talk to yourself. Our bodies hear us. In the grand scheme of your life, one day, one week, even one month, is nothing. Get up and do your best the following day.

 

Now, To Supplements I use

Sakara Beauty and Detox water drops

Think of hydrating, super-charged water. The green one, the Detox water drops, has chlorophyll in it, and I find it helpful with any digestive issues, bloat, and dull skin. The Beauty water is a blend of 72 trace minerals (which our tap water does not have). It is incredibly hydrating. I use the beauty water in the morning and the detox water at night.

Sakara Youth and Beauty Tea

I love the combination of ingredients in this tea (which is delicious!). Schisandra, gynostemma, hibiscus have come to be known for their skin-benefits. But I especially like that this tea also has saw palmetto, eleuthero, and reishi, all of which are wonderful for hormone health; and gotu kola, which is among my favourite herbs to encourage collagen production, reduce scarring, and regenerate skin tissue.

Discount code XOIVY is valid on all first-time purchases, including meal plans, snacks, and all supplements on the Sakara Life website.

Anantamul Powder and Yoursuper Plant Collagen Support 

I have had visible sunspots on my forehead and cheeks. The ones on the forehead were especially bothering me. I wanted to try a treatment with a few items, including an anantamul powder and a delicious plant-collagen powder. The former, anantamul, is usually known as a “Pitta reducer” in Ayurveda. Pitta folks, like myself, tend to have redness and sensitive skin, and thus are prone to sun damage. Anantamul maintains healthy skin and a clear complexion while cleansing excess pitta from the body and mind- so it also helps with anger and irritability. Win-win! I mix it one serving size with water and get it done with, in the morning, after breakfast. I buy it from Banyan Botanicals, one of the leading brands when it comes to Ayurveda. I aim to use this mix temporarily, for about 4-6 months.

The plant collagen support that I use is so yummy that I generally eat it with the spoon! But it is also delicious in coffee, lattes, or oats. I totally use it more than the serving size (shrug). It has tocos, pea protein, aloe vera, and one of my favourites, tremella mushroom in it. Every ingredient is certified organic, Non-GMO certified, and gluten-free. As with other You Super products, there are no artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives, or additives (Discount Code: Super-Ivy15)

My favourite probiotic supplement

The microbiome (think trillions of microbes in and on the human body) does not only influence your digestion and bloat. It affects your hormones, your energy levels, moods, immunity, and, yes, your skin clarity. There are studies suggesting that probiotic supplements may reduce acne outbreaks, manage dry skin, even help with lack of firmness and other issues related to aging skin. I have been using this probiotic for years, and recommend it to anyone. Not everybody will need (or benefit from) a probiotic supplement, and one does not need to supplement forever, but if you are already in the market for a clean supplement to support your microbiome, check out this brand, and, as always with anything from Sakara Life, use the code XOIVY for a discount.

 

Coming up: Specific care products I recommend for dry and aging skin. Stay tuned!

 

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Editor’s note: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programme.