Boost your immune system with strong skin

You need fats in your diet. You really do. Your skin absolutely, positively cannot be healthy without good fats.

What does it look like when your skin is depleted of good fats? Your skin will looked parched and weathered. It won't be able to hold in water. It won't respond well (read: quickly) to treatments. It can be bumpy, scaly, and flaky. It can also be itchy. It will looked aged before its time.

Most people think that of course they get enough fats in their diet! I've eaten chicken strips, fries, and hash browns at least 3 times this week alone. That's not the same as what I'm talking about. I'm talking about essential fatty acids. These are the fats that we need to survive. The most important ones for your skin are Omega 3, 6, & 9. (Easy to remember)

Omega 3: These provide the structure to your skin. They make the cell walls strong, which are the bricks to your skin house. Strong skin is tight, lifted, gravity defying skin.

Omega 6: This little guy keeps your immune system strong. It has a big hand in immune and inflammatory responses. It helps keep the bad things out and the good things in. It helps wounds heal faster and skin to regenerate.

Omega 9: This fatty acid (not actually an essential fatty acid because our body can produce some of it) helps retain moisture.

Now, if you haven't noticed yet from the products I use and the advice I give, I am a HUGE proponent of oils. I love them. There is an oil for everything and everyone. And I don't mean the lavender-toting MLM-pushing-mom kind of oil, I mean carrier oils.

How are these different? I am so glad you asked. Essential oils are oils created from some type of distillation process from leaves, flowers, roots, even some barks. They are very strong and must be diluted to use safely on the skin. (Yes even lavender. Yes even tea tree. Yeah, peppermint too. I'll save you some time, all of them.) Carrier oils are pressed from the seeds of, well just about anything that has a seed. Carrier oils are safe to slather all over your body, minus a few toxic ones.

So how can you get more essential fatty acids in your skin? Eat them and wear them. Here's a few for each group:

For using on your skin:

Omega 3: Sacha Inchi, Rosehip, Cranberry Seed, Hemp

Omega 6: Apricot, Grapeseed, Tamanu, Hemp, Rosehip, Evening Primrose

Omega 9: Apricot, Avocado, Argan, Camellia, Sweet Almond

Foods for eating:

Omega 3: Walnuts, Chia Seeds, Fish, Oysters, Flax Seed

Omega 6: Safflower Oil, Peanut Butter, Eggs, Walnuts, Tofu

Omega 9: Olive Oil, Cashews, Almonds, Sunflower Seeds

Now you have a list of great foods and oils to make sure your skin stays strong, healthy, and able to protect you!

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