Just recently, I was asked by an acquaintance what I use on my skin.  She thought my skin looked very healthy and vibrant and she wanted to know what my secret was.  Well, the answer to the first question, what I use on my skin, was simple.  Soap.

We’ll come back to the soap in a minute.  Knowing how to take care of your skin is actually quite important when you think about it.  Your epidermis is the largest organ in your body.  It is responsible for most of what you feel all day long.  And, a healthy skin is often a reflection of a healthy inside.  Trying to fake this with cosmetics, lotions, or other chemical stuff is not as effective as achieving the real thing.

This gets to the answer to her second question, what my “secret” is.  The answer is slightly more complex than soap, but still very simple.  And it is not a secret.  I”ll share it with you here.

Paleomom’s Recipe for Healthy, Vibrant Skin

1. Start the day by drinking 2 glasses (16 oz) of water first thing in the morning to re-hydrate your body
2. Limit caffeine and coffee to one cup a day (two max!)  I’ve found that drinking more coffee  than that starts to impact my skin health.
3. Eat a Paleo diet that includes plenty of healthy fats such as those found in fish, nuts, avocados, and healthy oils (olive & coconut).  The fats also help hydrate your skin.
4. Drink water frequently throughout the day to continue to hydrate your body.
5. When you exercise, choose exercise that causes you to sweat.  Sweating cleanses your pores.  Once you’re done, take a shower and wash your face.
6. Avoid chocolate or any other foods that you find cause you to break out.  Honestly, since I gave up eating chocolate, my skin has been very healthy.  I actually tested this and found that if I eat chocolate, I break out.
7. Sleep at least eight hours at night.  A good night’s sleep will rejuvenate your whole body, including your skin.

That’s it, no kidding.  Simple.  Great skin from the inside out.  No gimmicks,  No rinses, goop, masks, or other stuff.

Now, back to the soap.  I do have a few simple requirements for that soap that I use.  I avoid store-bought soaps. Most of them aren’t actually soap, they’re detergent in a bar.  Instead, I use a locally produced, traditional soap made from olive oil and scented with essential oils.  Not only do I support a local artisan in my  community, but I also get a great product.  If you’re interested in getting hand-made soap, look for a local artisan or check out my favorites at Slab Soap Company.