Radiance Cleanse | Feed your face

Feed your face

by Olivia Cartwright, Thu 18th February 2021

We’re all familiar with the notion of 'you are what you eat', but have you considered eating with targeted benefits in mind? Some of the foods we already reach for daily are reminiscent of old wives' tales like 'carrots for your eyesight' or 'fish for brain food' - and there is actually some truth in it. There are many foods we can include daily that have a direct impact on our skin and conversely, foods that we should try to avoid.

Here are some of our favorites foods to incorporate to feed your face:

Antioxidant-rich foods - 'antioxidant' is a term that is banded about a lot but does anyone really know what it means? Antioxidants help to protect the skin from free radical damage that ages it prematurely. These free radicals come in all forms all around us so I like to think of these foods as the antidote to the ‘oxidants’ we all meet daily such as pollution, cigarettes, toxins, alcohol, and processed foods. Potent antioxidants can be found in berries, dark chocolate, kale, pecans, etc

Vitamin C - Vitamin C is one of the hero vitamins to support your skin's collagen production! It can also be applied topically but to feed your skin from the inside out you should be including lots of lemons, oranges, carrots, green leafy veggies, broccoli and cabbage!

Healthy fats - Fats get a bad rep but it's very misdirected! Eating a diet rich in oily fish, nuts, flax, and chia seeds will really nourish your skin and give it all the essential fatty acids and omegas you need.

Flavonoids - Flavonoids help regulate cell renewal and due to their high level of antioxidants they also fight off those pesky free radicals. Drink lots of green tea, apples, onions, red cabbage.

Even the occasional glass of red wine is a good source.

Vitamin A - is also the standout ingredient that derives Retinol, retinol is proved to be the most anti-aging topical product we can use as it rejuvenates the skin and promotes cell turnover. You can literally eat your serum by including lots of carrots, sweet potato, leafy greens and seaweed in your diet.

And to avoid? For clients with skin concerns, we often recommend a few weeks to eliminate dairy from your diet. Reducing intake of refined sugars and carbohydrates, and increasing your fluid levels will also support positive skin health.

Superfood Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

by Olivia Cartwright, Mon 8th February 2021, link

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate chips we used Om Bar
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon maca
1-2 drops vanilla extract
1 packet strawberries

Optional:
shredded coconut to top
sliced/crushed almonds to top

Chopped pistachios to top

Directions

1. Using a double boiler, bring some water to a boil in the bottom pot.
2. In the top pot, stir in the chocolate chips and the coconut oil until combined. The coconut oil keeps the chocolate from burning or clumping, so if you notice either of these things happening, add a little more coconut oil as needed.
3. Stir in the maca, and vanilla extract. Continue to stir so the chocolate stays nice and smooth.
4. Line a cookie sheet with wax/parchment paper.
5. Begin dipping your strawberries into the melted chocolate. Place them on the lined cookie sheet.
6. While the chocolate is still hot, top with almonds or coconut. It's best to top each one as you make it.
7. Place in the fridge to harden for 5-10 minutes before they are ready to eat. Keep stored in the fridge or the chocolate will melt!

5 Tips for Regeneration with Dr Wassim Taktouk

by Olivia Cartwright, Thu 28th January 2021, link

Did you know that our body’s largest regenerative organ is our skin? The fuel we put in makes a massive difference to how our body performs in every way, and skin is a real mirror of your diet and lifestyle. This month we’re thrilled to have had a chat all things skincare and natural results with leading Medical Aesthetic Expert and Beauty Editor favourite Dr Wassim Taktouk.

As a leading figure in Aesthetic Medicine it was really interesting to hear how much weight Dr Wassim places on a healthy lifestyle. Basic things like getting enough sleep and drinking enough water are tools we all have at our disposal but don’t necessarily practice. Diet and lifestyle can seem like the least exciting rejuvenation tool these days but it is perhaps the most accessible and necessary. In this generation of quick fixes, people seem to seek a solution that can be achieved in a single consultation. Never before has life been instant, order something online and it can be with you that afternoon. This snap approach has inevitably trickled all the way down to all aspects of our life…

This quick-fix mentality coupled with the introduction of face altering filters and the increasingly unrealistic beauty demands put on us every time we open our phone has seen a rise in injectables and lunchtime procedures. These treatments have become so accessible and everyone seems to think they have to reach this falsified image of perfection, instantly. It was so refreshing to hear about the ‘light touch’ approach Dr Wassim takes, someone so influential in this industry. He will never perform a procedure on someone who he doesn’t think will benefit, and always seeks to achieve natural results.

As Dr Wassim so eloquently put, “You will always be drawn to the person with the glowing skin, not necessarily the person with no wrinkles, it is such a reflection of your health on the inside.” We couldn’t agree more, and with clinics and salons currently closed, why not use this time to look at our diet, lifestyle and product choices to rejuvenate our skin and improve our health?

Dr Wassim himself has used this lockdown as a vehicle for a little bit of self-care and embarked on a 5-day juice cleanse. “It works out perfectly, not only do you feel amazing but given the numbers in London at the moment you don’t even want to step foot into a supermarket”.

According to Dr Wassim, patients are steadily becoming more and more health and wellness aware and are far more proactive than they were at taking better care of themselves inside and out. He will always initially advise preventative skin care rather than launching straight into a treatment right away. Those that have taken those extra steps will yield the best quality results and see much more longevity in their treatments.

Here are Dr Wassim’s top 5 tips to support regeneration and keep you glowing from the inside out:

Drink plenty of water, it’s a boring one but I notice such a difference when I remember to drink enough
Look into pro skincare before just buying something from a brand name with real science back research. (See his Instagram for recommendations)
Consider the A,B,C’s:

Vitamin A AKA Retinol helps to increase cell turnover and is the only clinical proven ingredient that reverses signs of ageing.
Vitamin B AKA niacinamide supports the skin barrier and improves texture
VItamin C is required for collagen production and brightens skin

Never forgot your SPF
Try a juice cleanse once in a while to hit the reset button.

A huge thanks to Dr Wassim Taktouk for joining us this month. To read more about Dr Wassim’s work and approach visit https://www.drwassimtaktouk.com/ . Consultations are available at his Clinic in Sloane Street, SW1X.