All that stubborn residue from your skin cells are causing breakouts. But what if the real issue lies beneath the epidermis. Is our microbiome revolutionizing and mutating as we grow or are we just ambivalent of how skincare products serve our skin’s purpose? Beauty mavens and many dermatologists differ on skincare methods but one argument has become accepted by the majority – minimalist skincare is better. However, one should always experiment and consult a dermatologist regarding their own skin’s composition.

“We look at things like nutrition and mind-body approach. How people deal with stress, their sleeping habits and what they put inside their body affects their outside,” mentions Dr. Raja Sivamani, a board-certified dermatologist and Ayurvedic practitioner who focuses on his clients’ skin type instead of prescribing something generic. Dr. Sivamani expertise in skincare goes beyond traditional medicine. He studies subjects and conducts research on how to age well and the relationship between wellness and skincare. He is a believer in high-quality products and regular exercise as a holistic approach to improving people’s natural skin barrier.

But even if people use certain preservatives and retinol, it seems like skin conundrums continue to surge. From diet research to natural ingredients, these skin experts provide their insights about improving skin health.

How Bakuchiol helps skin

Bakuchiol, also known as the ‘babchi’ plant, is an ingredient that has proven to provide many benefits in ayurvedic medicine. “We did a study on bakuchiol and compared it to retinol, and we showed that it has similar effects in reducing uneven skin tone and the appearance of fine lines. Nobody in our study had irritation,” mentions Dr. Sivamani “It is a gentler alternative to retinol.” The principal that your skin has to irritate to get better is a misconception in the skincare industry. Arbonne is a vegan skincare brand with this natural component that leverages the latest innovations in science and research.

Probiotic skincare can help balance your skin

“It’s really important to watch out the PH and if you are using harsh products that can affect the balance of your skin,” adds Dr. Sivamani. Feeding your skin with healthy organisms can help balance your skin’s immunity and promote the skin’s radiance. Learn more about probiotic skincare here.

Foods that promote skin health

In a recent study conducted by Dr. Sivamani with postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2 (the skin types most susceptible to sunburn), it was determined that those who ate almonds reduced wrinkle appearance by 10%. “We also found that eating the right amount of mangoes has beneficial effects on skin health,” notes Dr. Sivamani in his recent study. “Eating foods that are rich in carotenoids and really good nutrients does make an impact on your skin.”

Why the Ayurvedic approach to skincare is the best

Two people are not the same, therefore their skin routine should not be based on beauty trends. According to Dr. Sivamani a generic approach can lead to skincare fallacies, “know your skin type and body type to help you select the kind of foods you can consume and products you can apply.” An ayurvedic practitioner looks into different factors before choosing a client’s regimen. Everyone has different skin tendencies and there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to healthy skin.

Melanin is a natural antioxidant

“In the Latina population, women’s skin is not like Caucasian skin. Your skin reacts differently and the ingredients that you use can affect the epidermis. We have to think of skin tone more when it comes to skin health,” adds Dr. Sivamani who agrees that melanin is a factor for decreasing wrinkle appearances. Also, he notices that the more oily your skin is the more natural oils and antioxidants you produce to help your skin age slower.

Though darker skin ages at a slower rate, it is paramount to always wear sunscreen. “Sunscreens with iron oxide do a better job of matching your natural tint and blocking blue light.” Some of the sunscreen brands Dr. Sivamani recommends are Cotz, Sun Bum and Suntegrity.

Facial massages promotes oxygen

Face massages increase collagen production, which prevents the formation of wrinkles. While we can workout out our body, face muscles need extra treatment. “We cannot work out our own face muscles so we need something to work them out. Microcurrent makes the muscles plumper and is a non-invasive treatment to tone and tighten the muscles and make them more resistant while improving circulation,” adds Lana, a skin professional who works at Face Lab in Miami Beach. Your face contains over 50 different muscles and doing regular facial exercises can promote blood circulation while replenishing the oxygen supply in the muscles.

Why Hyaluronic acid prevents aging

As we age in our 30s, our skin loses about 40% of ceramides. There are many factors that contribute to ceramide depletion, one of them being stripping away the oil from your skin. Face Lab’s skin expert mentions, “We need more moisture to keep our skin cells together.” Aging is a natural process whether you withdraw all your savings in beauty products, so one of the best methods is to hydrate the skin with hyaluronic acid and drink lots of water to maintain that fresh profile.