Okoko’s Guide to Healthy Radiant Skin

Skin care is essential at every age. But how can we keep our skin looking its best as we age? How we approach healthy skin at Okoko is holistic because your skin is an organ and needs to be taken care of internally and externally. By combining great skincare products with healthy lifestyle choices and habits, you’re providing your skin with what it needs to be healthy at every age and stage of your life.

Eat Healthy

• Eat various fruits and vegetables that contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. You need to feed your skin daily with colourful plant-based foods. 
• Avoid processed foods that are high in fat and sodium (salt). These include pre-packaged snacks, fast food, and French fries (and other fried potatoes). Be aware that many canned goods can also be loaded with sodium! Look for "no salt added" labels when buying canned goods at the grocery store. If you eat canned tuna or soup, rinse it thoroughly to remove some of the salt before eating it.
• Limit sugar: Too much sugar is linked to early aging of your skin, so aim for less than 10 percent of your daily calories from added sugars — which means no more than 100 calories per day if you're eating 2,000 calories per day; no more than 50 calories per day if you're eating 1,500 calories per day; etcetera! If you need help counting teaspoons of sugar in drinks like sweetened tea or soft drinks, try this trick: 1 teaspoon equals 4 grams; 16 tablespoons equal 1 cup, so one can of soda has about eight teaspoons worth of sugar in it (there are 20 grams worth per can). Other sweeteners like honey contain fewer calories but just as much added sugar as table sugar, so use these sparingly too!

Wear Sunscreen Daily

Wear sunblock daily. It’s the most important thing you can do to protect your skin from sun damage and keep it looking young. UV/IRA damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging. Having a great sunblock paired with an environmental defence focused product such as La Perle boosts the level of protection with Venuceane, a microalgae activated by the sun's heat and protects skin from environmental stressors. 

We recommend using a mineral-based sunblock daily with at least an SPF of 30, if not 50 or higher, for added protection. Look for ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which act as a physical barrier to UV and IR rays and are shown to reduce inflammation caused by sun exposure.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, even if you plan on staying under shade. Don't forget to apply it to all exposed areas of skin such as ears and backs of hands (if not wearing gloves).

Make sure the sunblock provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Many sunscreens offer only UVA or UVB protection but don’t provide both types of rays in one product, so make sure it’s a broad spectrum product.

UV/IRA damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging so having a great sunscreen paired with an environmental defence focused product such as La Perle that boosts the level of protection with powerhouse antioxidants that shield against environmental damage like Bakuchiol, Lycopene, Resveratrol, CoQ10, etc.

We recommend using a mineral based sunblock on a daily basis with at least an SPF of 30, if not 50 or higher for added protection. Look for ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which act as a physical barrier to UV and IR rays and are shown to reduce inflammation caused by sun exposure.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, even if you plan on staying under shade. Don't forget to apply it to all exposed areas of skin such as ears and backs of hands (if not wearing gloves).

Make sure that the sunblock provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Many sunscreens offer only UVA only or UVB only protection, but don’t provide both types of rays in one product, so make sure it’s a broad spectrum product.

Exercise Regularly

In addition to the skincare you'll be using, exercise is critical in keeping your skin healthy and youthful for years to come. Many studies have shown the various benefits of exercise for overall health, and your skin is no exception. Staying active helps to sustains healthy bones, muscle mass, nervous and immune system function, and much more. 

There are many benefits of regular exercise, including the following:

• Reduces stress levels
• Supports healthy detoxification processes
• Maintains healthy circulation, which is needed for skin to remain nourished
• Improves sleep quality and quantity
• Improves digestive system and gut health which is key to healthy skin

Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep is another essential part of your skincare routine, and getting enough sleep helps your body repair itself and keeps you looking young and energetic. When stressed or overworked, our bodies produce cortisol, which can age us prematurely, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging. However, if you get enough restful sleep each night—and keep a regular schedule—your skin will remain healthy and youthful-looking.

The amount of sleep that works best for your body depends on how old you are:

• Babies may need as much as 18 hours of rest each day
• Adults need approximately 7-9 hrs per night.

Your Personal Skincare Routine

The first step on the path to healthy, youthful skin is personal care. Everyone, regardless of age, should practice good personal care habits by incorporating a self-care and skincare routine that nourishes your skin with effective ingredients. In this segment, we will discuss the importance of personal care and some basic tips you can use to help keep your skin looking young and healthy.

• Skin Is An Organ: Your skin is an organ that removes toxins from your body through sweat and oil glands to protect itself from irritation and damage caused by these substances. It also acts as a barrier against bacteria constantly trying to enter through open wounds or cuts to cause infection in your body (which would lead to illness). This is why you must treat your skin with consistent care and high-quality products free of irritants and harmful ingredients.
• Personal Skincare Routine: Use an excellent high-performance skincare routine adapted to your personal skincare needs and condition. Seek a professional expert such as an esthetician or skincare specialist who knows how to adjust your products with a high concentration of botanical actives and nourishing natural ingredients that are result driven. At Okoko, we provide personalized consultations that give you a customized regimen, including our skincare and complementary wellness recommendations. You can book your appointment here.

 In conclusion, there are many ways to take care of your skin and enjoy healthy, youthful skin for years to come. While you may not be able to stop time or the aging process, you can slow it down by following these steps every day.