As consumers, we know that we are constantly being bombarded with ads that try to create the idea that if we use a specific product or the latest and hottest ingredient, somehow we can correct and avoid aging, acne, and all the rest of our skin concerns for that matter. But how do we know if that $90 serum is really doing anything? 

Sure, we might notice a slight difference if we are disciplined enough to religiously apply our cleanser, exfoliant, toner, serum, moisturizer and SPF, but is that enough? I have been a licensed esthetician for 11 years and believe me, I preach all day long about protecting your skin and avoiding the triggers that can cause congestion, premature aging, and so forth—but what people don’t understand is that while you can pack on all the creams and products you want, the change occurs not only when you treat your skin topically, but also by addressing it from the inside out.

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you a quick lesson on the secret to great health (skin care included) and longevity. If you do one thing and one thing only: get more nutrition into your body! Our bodies are made of cells, which all serve a specific function and purpose. With skin, we often hear about the melanocyte cell (that produces melanin aka pigment), the basal cells (for cell turnover aka what gives you a more youthful appearance) and so on. And while those are key players in skin, we can’t forget about the rest of the body, where every single cell is desperate for your attention.

Improving your nutrition is the first key step to building a strong, powerful, and healthy life—and it’s a huge factor in overall wellness. Nutrition not only helps you build healthy skin, it also plays an important role with your muscles, bones, heart, brain, lungs, nerves, liver, kidneys—basically every organ in your body. In addition, nutrition is critical for your hormones, brain chemicals, and immune system.

These days, many of us lead lifestyles that are on-the-go, and you’re lucky if you can scarf down a meal at all.  Our communities are filled with businesses that sell over-processed, overcooked food, not to mention all the caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and medications that we consume. If that wasn’t bad enough, the environment around us is filled with harmful toxins and chemicals that deplete our air quality. To make matters even worse, we hardly get any sleep or exercise, and stress levels are at an all-time high. So what do we think this all adds up to? Healthy skin, shiny hair, and a killer body? I don’t think so!

We might not realize it, but all these factors are robbing us of the nutrition our bodies desperately need! Being malnourished causes disease in our bodies, it makes skin appear dull and lackluster, and it even contributes to gray hair. So what can be done about this? Here’s the deal: diet alone is not enough. 

If we want to have amazing skin, if we want to buy a $90 serum and see results, and most importantly, if we want to live our best lives possible—then we need to supplement what our diets are lacking! Study after study suggests that Americans simply do not consume enough veggies and vitamins. Even those that lead a “healthier” lifestyle still don’t have enough nutrition in their bodies because of all the chemicals and pesticides that are introduced during the farming process.

I suggest taking a daily supplement rich in vitamins that doesn’t have chemicals. Try to look for the cleanest line you can. I love Dr. Schulze’s American Botanical Pharmacy in Marina Del Rey, California. He created various vitamins and health formulas, including SuperFood 100, which has become a staple in the lives of many family members and friends. I noticed a dramatic change in my energy levels, skin, and overall health when I started taking them. I have also found that taking an antioxidant-rich daily supplement beverage like NingXia Red from Young Living is an easy way to load up on the essential vitamins I need. 

If we are lacking important nutrients and building blocks in our bodies, we simply cannot believe that topical skin care alone is enough for achieving healthy skin. Our acne, congestion, and aging will be more noticeable then ever if we don’t start educating ourselves and learning about the importance of diets, lifestyle, and intrinsic versus extrinsic factors that are all contributing to our concerns in the first place. It’s time to start taking care of ourselves from the inside out so that our cells can thrive in a healthy manner. Let's keep up with our skin care regimens, but let's also get some nutrition inside our bodies!

Daniela Rivera has been in the skin care industry for over a decade, is a licensed professional skin therapist and is currently an advanced instructor at the International Dermal Institute. She enjoys keeping up with the latest technology, wellness, and skin care industry as well as blogging and sharing her knowledge with other. She lives in sunny Playa Vista, California with her husband, two children and her dog Lucy. Follow her on Instagram at @the_beauty_chronicles