The WoW Style

As you may already know, there are a variety of changes that our bodies go through as we age.

These changes happen in all systems of our body but often, we only focus on the things we can see, such as our skin.

Skin serves to protect us from harmful microorganisms and water loss. It also is a big factor in feeling beautiful and confident.

It’s important to accept that skin changes are a natural part of life. Rather than resist it, you can accept it and do your best to be as healthy as possible.

Keep reading to learn more about common skin questions, such as brown facial spots, and natural remedies to try out.

What Causes Brown Facial Spots?

Brown spots are known as lentigines or hyperpigmentation.

It’s the common process of pigment cells becoming overactive. Pigment cells like melanin are what gives our skin, eyes, and nails color.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

These cells produce more coloring, resulting in skin spots that are tan, brown, or black.

This may occur from:

• Hormonal changes (i.e. birth control, pregnancy, and aging)
• Skin inflammation (i.e. acne, eczema, or psoriasis)
• Sun damage (i.e. ultraviolet rays)

Rarely, these dark spots may be attributed to skin cancer. If you’re concerned about any of them, check for ABCDE’s and see a dermatologist.

What You Can Do

One of the most important and overlooked parts of skincare is your diet.

Your gut health can lead to a variety of health issues and symptoms, so it’s important to eat a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet.

Also, be sure to drink plenty of water.

If you’re looking for natural remedies for brown spots, such as lemon juice, learn more here.

Additionally, you’ll want to protect your skin whenever you’re out in the sun. Look for a natural sunscreen that protects against ultraviolet (UV) light.

Sunscreen should have UVA and UVB protection and should be chemical-free to protect your skin and the environment.

What Causes Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are the creases, lines, and ridges in our skin.

You can have wrinkles at a young age but most people experience skin wrinkling more and more as they age.

When we’re children, our skin is elastic and strong. It heals quickly and is typically firm and supple.

As we age, it becomes less elastic and strong. This results in wrinkles.

Causes of Wrinkles

Aside from aging, our skin may wrinkle from:

• Pollutants (i.e. air pollution and smoking nicotine)
• Repeated facial gestures (i.e. smiling, creasing the brow, and squinting)
• Sun exposure

Your skin may also become more wrinkled if you’re chronically dehydrated.

What You Can Do

Many people opt for chemical or surgical treatments without truly considering the dangers of doing so.

Natural options are always a better alternative, as our skin absorbs anything we put on it.

You can help your skin wrinkles by:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Eating a well-balanced diet
• Moisturizing (try Vitamin E and aloe vera)
• Reducing stress
• Refraining from smoking nicotine
• Sunscreen
• Using a silk pillowcase

You may be surprised to see that reducing stress will help your skin. This is because we tend to hold tension in our face whenever we strain, focus, and stress too much.

Try incorporating meditation, relaxation, yoga, and sound healing to reduce your stress. This will boost your health all around.

What Causes Dry Skin?

Dry skin, known as xerosis, happens to people of all ages.

You may experience this when your skin is rough, itchy, or flakey.

Causes of Dry Skin

Our skin needs water content of 10 to 15% to remain supple and intact.

It may become dry with:

• Age
• Harsh soaps and detergents
• Heat (i.e. hot baths and showers)
• Skin conditions (i.e. acne, eczema, or psoriasis)
• Weather conditions

What You Can Do

The common water intake recommendation is at least half a gallon a day but each person is different.

Drink when you’re thirsty and listen to your body.

Use natural, chemical-free soaps and detergents. Refrain from taking more than one bath or shower per day and keep them short.

When it’s cold out, cover as much skin as possible and use plenty of moisturizers.

If you put your hands in water or cleaners often, use gloves to protect your skin.

What Type of Diet Supports Healthy Skin?

We mentioned a healthy diet as a solution to common skin problems. What does this mean?

Essentially, it means eating enough and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and meat or meat alternatives.

It’s better to get the nutrients and vitamins you need in your diet rather than supplementing with an all-in-one daily vitamin.

Here are a few examples of vitamins that help your skin, although there are many more.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is thought to help dry skin and protect it against the sun.

To eat a diet rich in vitamin A, consider eating more of these foods:

• Brocolli
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lettuce
• Red bell peppers
• Spinach

You can get creative with these ingredients by lightly sauteeing them or making a power smoothie.

B Vitamins

There are 8 B vitamins, collectively referred to as the B complex.

Research shows that these vitamins have a positive effect on components of skin, such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

You can generally get enough B vitamins by eating plenty of:

• Dark, leafy vegetables
• Eggs and dairy
• Fruits
• Legumes
• Meat
• Seeds and nuts
• Whole grains

If you don’t eat meat or dairy, do your research to find alternatives that still offer similar amounts of vitamins and nutrients.

Biotin

You may have heard of taking biotin as a supplement. However, you can get what you need from simply eating the right foods (with added benefits, too).

Foods that are high in biotin include:

• Bananas
• Cauliflower
• Egg yolks
• Mushrooms
• Nuts and nut butter
• Soybeans and other legumes
• Whole grains

Biotin helps convert energy into food, meaning it will help other nutrients and vitamins do their best to promote skin and overall health.

Take a Holistic Approach

Now that you know the answers to common skin problems, like brown facial spots, you can enhance your health by focusing on the bigger picture.

Rather than treating the symptoms of your skin concerns, look deeper and give your body everything it needs to do its best. Use treatment alternatives like topicals, limit sun damage, and eat a clean, natural diet.

Keep reading our blog for more ways to improve your health and life.