When it comes to glowing, radiant and smooth skin, high quality skin care products are only one part of the puzzle. Since every cell in our body is created based on the food we eat then our skin is a reflection of how we care for it and what you eat!
The supplement industry is vast and it can be hard to know which vitamins and supplements you actually need and which are going to make a real difference in the quality of your health. I trust 1stPhorm 100% and not just because it’s my hubby’s company! They truly hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence. Plus I know I can feel and see differences with and without my supplements.
In regards to skin there are 4 supplements I go use daily to make sure I’m supported from the inside out.
Supplements for Skin
Opti-greens
This is a powder based supplement that you mix into any liquid. It’s super condensed and powdered greens. Being that it’s so chlorophyll intensive it’s a great antioxidant. But I would say this is all just a bonus. The best skin enhancing benefits of this powder are the probiotics and digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes promote the breakdown and absorption of the nutrients in our food. Nutrients like vitamins and minerals are bound to the bigger molecules of carbohydrate, fat and protein, and if our stomach and intestines can’t break these apart into teeny tiny little pieces then we aren’t actually absorbing all of the nutrients they may be carried out of the body with the other food waste which is not good! Digestive enzymes support the breakdown and absorption process. Once we CAN get those vitamins and minerals through the intestines and into the blood they can be carried throughout the body where they need to go to rejuvenate our cells and our skin! Overall Opti-Greens helps with motility, digestion, and decreases bloat not to mention allowing you to hit your daily greens requirement.
How I Use: I mix 2 scoops of the greens into my daily breakfast Level-1 Shake (the Opti Greens is berry flavored so I usually mix it with a vanilla or chocolate protein).
Hair Skin Nail Essentials
This is a vitamin B intensive supplement. B vitamins are crucial because they facilitate so many functions within our bodies. Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, B6, B12 and Pantothenic acid are all B vitamins by the way, and this supplement covers you 100% a day on all of them! B vitamins are KEY for energy as well. Hair Skin Nail Essentials also features some key minerals like zinc, iron, iodine, and manganese. This vitamin and minerals combo is powerful which means it can sometimes trigger a breakout as they work to clear up and clear out our skin to make a path for radiant healthy new cells! They have also been getting raving reviews since the launch of this product.
Harmony
You probably already know that female hormone levels fluctuate over an approximately 28 day cycle, and maybe you know exactly what days in the month you experience a breakout but it does NOT have to be this way. Our hormones can fall out of rhythm due to stress, birth control, environmental toxins and lifestyle choices which may result in fatigue, PMS and complexion issues. Harmony is a supplement designed to help the female bodies rebalance our hormones. It includes a few powerful star ingredients like Maca and Ashwagandha. Harmony is not just for complexion but also supports better sleep, fertility, weight management and energy levels. I have been using for four months now and noticed more consistent energy levels overall, as well as wayyy less PMS symptoms (which is what I was looking for). A big win in my books!
Collagen
Collagen is a type of protein which makes up a LOT of cells in our body. There is collagen in joints, tendons, bones and skin to name a few. Collagen serves to provide structural aspects where needed. At the least, collagen as a supplement is a good boost of protein, at the MOST it helps regenerate these collagen dependent areas in our body. 1st Phorms Collagen is Low Temperature Processed (something you definitely want to look for when choosing a collagen) and is incredibly bioavailable which means we actually absorb it. Collagen is usually unflavored and dissolves very easily so you can add it to a shake, a smoothie or even your coffee! 1st Phorms collagen also includes just 1 other ingredient, Dermaval, which is a molecule that helps maintain elastin (another protein) in the body. These two work amazing together because collagen is great for strength and structure, while elastin is responsible for elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Diet Choices for Radiant Skin
When we think about diet the conversation usually revolves around weight but there is so much more to it! What we eat turns into every cell in our body which means diet plays a major role in skin health and appearance. While topical skincare products are key in achieving your best skin, diet plays a very important role that should not be overlooked. If you are using medical grade skincare, but eating pizza, chips, and drinking beer most nights of the week – it may be hard for you to see the results you are looking for. Even if you are eating relatively healthy but including foods that may trigger breakouts for you like caffeine, gluten and dairy you still might be struggling.
An optimally healthy diet includes minerals, vitamins, nutrients, acids, other useful compounds that our skin and body needs on a daily basis. These are all found in the whole foods we enjoy like fruits and vegetables, meats and whole grains.
If you are not sure what you should be eating, I recommend starting by tracking your macros (macronutrients). If you are unsure what macronutrients are read up on my blog! I recommend 1st Phorm’s My Transformation App for tracking daily macros. The key is to hit a specific number of grams of protein, fat, and carbs each day. In the beginning it’s helpful to start by tracking what you are already eating to get a sense of how many grams of each macronutrient you regularly consume. By doing this, you will slowly learn over time what foods and the amount your body requires daily. I still track my macros from time to time when I’m trying to tighten things up, but for the most part previous tracking of macros has helped me understand my body and become a better “intuitive eater”. What I mean is that after years of paying close attention, I am in tune with my body and I have a very good idea of what I should and should not be eating based on how it makes me feel and what it does to my skin.
Supplementation and diet have both become a key part of my health and fitness journey. As I built healthy habits like eating better and working out consistently, supplements were part of the natural progression and are now a non-negotiable in my routine and balanced lifestyle. Consuming all the nutrients my body needs every day from whole foods alone can be really hard to do. Supplementation helps me bridge that gap in my diet and “supplement” in any areas I am deficient. I want to make sure I am putting the highest quality supplements into my body and that is why I won’t ever use anything other than 1st Phorm.
XO
Racquel
