You	can	find	weeds	in	your	backyard	and	at	your	local
farmer’s	market. If	you	are	unsure	of	exactly	what	weeds	you	are	looking	for,	it’s
always	a	better	bet	to	get	them	from	the	market. Purslane,	dandelion	greens,
and	lamb’s-quarter	are	all	particularly	beauty-boosting	weeds. Weeds	are	hearty
plants	that	tend	to	be	especially	high	in	nutrients	and	antioxidants. Purslane	is
an	exceptionally	high	source	of	
omega-3	fatty	acids,	while	dandelion	(also	a
bitter	food)	and	lamb’s-quarter	(which	tastes	like	a	combination	between
spinach	and	Swiss	chard)	contain	large	amounts	of	vitamins	A,	C,	and	K	and
minerals	such	as	calcium,	iron,	manganese,	and	potassium. Incorporating	edible	weeds	for	beauty:
Add	to	smoothies. Lightly	steam	or	sauté. Add	to	soups.MSM-RICH	FOODS
Methy
lsulf
onylm
ethane,	also	known	as	MSM,	has	a	lot	of	health-	and	beauty-
enriching	properties. It	contains	sulfur,	which	helps	with	the	proper
functioning	of	proteins	in	your	
body. MSM	is	revered	for	joint	health	and
helping	to	promote	beautiful	skin. It	has	anti-inflammatory	and	antioxidant
effects	and	is	even	said	to	aid	with	circulation. Some	of	the	richest	natural
sources	of	MSM	include	tomatoes,	raspberries,	apples,	Swiss	chard,	and	alfalfa
sprouts. Incorporating	MSM-rich	foods	for	beauty:
When	they’re	in	season,	snack	on	lots	of	fresh	raspberries	and	apples. Slice	up	tomatoes	and	eat	them	plain. Add	chopped	tomatoes	to	your	soups	or	stews. Blend	Swiss	chard	into	your	smoothies. WHITE	TEA
White	tea	may	be	very	helpful	in	maintaining	your	weight,	and	some	have	even
anecdotally	claimed	that	it	protects	against	
acne. A	series	of	experiments	on
human	fat	cells	(adipocytes)	demonstrate	that	white	tea	can	help	inhibit	new	fat
cells	while	stimulating	the	fat	mobilization	from	mature	fat	cells. 9
	This	may
even	be	useful	in	combating	cellulite. Green	tea	has	received	great	press,	but	it
contains	a	fairly	high	level	of	
caffeine. We	all	know	this	can	feel	temporarily
energizing	but	is	still	irritating	to	your	nervous	system. While	actual	caffeine
levels	depend	on	the	specific	buds	and	brewing	methods	used,	green	tea
generally	contains	more	caffeine	than	white	tea. White	tea	undergoes	less
processing	than	green	or	black	tea,	even	though	they	derive	from	the	same	plant
(
Camellia	sinensis
). Because	it	is	less	processed,	white	tea	also	
contains	more
antioxidants,	which	are	great	for	keeping	your	skin	youthful	and	protecting
your	vitality. Incorporating	white	tea	for	beauty:
Source	some	excellent	organic	white	tea	and	drink	it	during	the	day,	stopping
by	late	afternoon,	as	it	does	contain	some	caffeine. For	added	benefits,
add	some	sliced	ginger,	turmeric,	or	lemon. A	Word	About	
SupplementsYou	certainly	do	not	have	to	take	a	dozen	supplement	pills	every	day	to	be
healthy. And	you	will	never	achieve	the	beauty	and	health	results	you	are	after
by	trying	to	rely	on	pills	in	lieu	of	eating	a	superior,	nutrition-packed	diet	made
up	mostly	of	whole	foods. Unfortunately,	most	supplements	out	there	are
synthetically	created,	which	makes	them	cheaper	to	produce	and	more	stable. The	problem	is	that	with	vitamins,	more	is	most	definitely	
not
	more. Synthetic	vitamins	are	not	remotely	similar	to	the	forms	of	these	nutrients
found	in	nature,	which	you	would	obtain	from	eating	natural	foods. Our
bodies	evolved	for	millions	of	years	getting	these	nutrients	in	unison	with
countless	other	nutritional	cofactors	that	are	present	in	real	food. Vitamin
supplements	may	not	be	bioavailable,	usable,	or	absorbable	by	your	body,	and
even	worse,	they	can	be	recognized	and	treated	as	a	toxin,	which	then	has	to	be
processed	and	expelled	by	your	eliminative	organs. One	study	even	found
synthetic	vitamin	supplementation	can	actually	increase	mortality	rates! 10
One	supplement	that	is	a	must	is	an	excellent	probiotic	supplement,	which	is
not	an	isolated	micronutrient	but	rather	helps	your	entire	body	function	more
efficiently. Remember	that	the	best	probiotics	are	not	necessarily	those	with	the
highest	culture	counts	but	ones	that	have	the	most	effective	and	diverse	strains
that	can	actually	be	assimilated	into	your	body	(please	see	authors’	websites	for
resources	and	recommendations:	
deepakchopra. com
,	
kimberlysnyder. com
). What’s	the	best	way	to	get	the	nutrients	you	need? Be	sure	to	eat	from	a	wide
variety	of	plant	foods,	preferably	organic,	as	the	first	step. You	can	also	source
specific	superfoods	rich	in	certain	vitamins	(bee	pollen	is	rich	in	B	vitamins,	for
instance). If	you	still	are	worried	you	aren’t	eating	as	well	as	you	should,	you
can	also	source	a	high-quality,	whole-food-based	and	nonsynthetic	
multivitamin
or	multimineral	supplement	from	a	reputable	company	that	has	done	the
necessary	work	and	research	to	ensure	optimal	nutritional	absorption. It	should
include	vitamin	D
3
	(which	many	people	do	need	to	supplement,	especially	if
you	aren’t	getting	an	adequate	dosage	of	regular	sunshine)	and	the	spectrum	of
B	vitamins,	including	vitamin	B
12
. If	you’re	vegan,	you	should	definitely
supplement	vitamin	B
12
. A	magnesium-oxygen	supplement	(such	as	Detoxy	+)	is	great	for	promoting
ongoing	cleansing	(see	
this	page
). As	recommended	in	
Pillar	1
,	be	sure	to
consume	chia,	hemp,	or	flaxseeds	daily	for	daily	
omega-3	fats. An	algae-based
DHA	and	EPA	supplement	can	be	good	insurance,	as	some	people	don’t
convert	omega-3	fats	adequately	into	longer-chain	DHA	fats. Algae	is	the
primary	source	from	which	fish	obtain	their	DHA,	and	scientists	from	
Harvard
and	the	
Cleveland	Clinic	also	report	in	
The	Journal	of	Nutrition
	that	algae-based
DHA	can	boost	levels	of	good	cholesterol	and	cut	levels	of	triglycerides. 11
	Fishoil	pills	as	a	source	of	omega-3	fats	are	not	recommended,	as	they	can	often
become	rancid	and	contaminated	with	toxins. How	Does	
Salt	Fit	In	with	Beauty? Sodium,	found	in	salt,	is	an	element	our	bodies	need	to	function	properly. It
helps	to	control	our	blood	pressure	and	blood	volume,	as	well	as	ensuring
proper	muscle	and	nerve	function. The	best	beauty	forms	of	salt	to	use	are
small	amounts	of	high-quality	sea	salt,	such	as	Celtic	or	Himalayan	sea	salt. These	sea	salts	also	have	trace	minerals	and	elements. Sea	salts	are	obtained
from	the	evaporation	of	saltwater	bodies,	rather	than	the	heavy	processing	that
produces	table	salt;	this	includes	bleaching	and	diluting	the	salt	after	harvesting
with	anticaking	agents	and	other	chemicals. For	these	reasons,	stick	to	sea	salt
in	your	cooking. But	too	much	salt	is	definitely	a	beauty	and	health	no-no. Excessive	salt
intake	can	increase	the	risk	for	
heart	disease,	hypertension,	high	blood	pressure,
and	kidney	disease. It	can	also	make	your	skin	look	dehydrated. Excessive	sodium	can	also	create	“false	fat,”	making	you	look	bloated	and
pounds	heavier	than	you	truly	weigh. An	average	daily	guideline	is	1,000	to	1,500	milligrams	(mg)	of	sodium	per
day	or	less. If	you	are	at	risk	for	a	medical	condition,	such	as	those	listed	above,
you	can	certainly	omit	salt	from	your	cooking	altogether. Most	of	us,
accustomed	to	so	many	processed	and	restaurant	
foods	that	contain	loads	of
sodium,	are	used	to	a	very	salty	flavor. Shifting	into	eating	more	natural	foods
and	preparing	simpler	food	will	help	you	become	more	sensitive	to	the	taste	of
salt. It’s	also	a	good	idea	to	add	sea	salt	to	your	food	right	before	you	eat	it,	so	it
tastes	more	salty	without	using	more	actual	salt!PILLAR	2:
External	Nourishment
Now	that	you	know	how	to	lay	the	foundation	for	your	beauty	with	your	diet,
we	are	going	to	talk	about	the	best	forms	for	the	outer	care	of	your	skin. This
includes	the	safest	and	most	effective	skin-care	products	and	ingredients	as	well
as	self-care	practices	that	will	help	you	grow	strong	nails;	healthy,	shiny	hair;
and	clear,	glowing	skin. Incorporating	superior	inner	and	outer	care	will
nourish	your	whole	body	from	the	outside	in	and	let	your	natural	beauty	shine
through	to	the	highest	degree	possible. In	this	pillar	we’ll	cover	the	best—as	well
as	the	worst—ingredients	and	practices	so	you	can	allow	your	most	beautiful	self
to	be	authentically	reflected.SHIFT	6:
Incorporate	
Natural	Skin-Care
Ingredients
Your	Amazing	Skin
Our	largest	organ,	the	skin,	is	a	fascinating	one. It	is	an	elimination	organ,
meaning	it	helps	dispel	wastes	from	your	body	through	sweat. Your	skin
receives	roughly	a	third	of	all	the	blood	that	is	circulated	throughout	the	body. It	makes	sense	that	if	the	blood	is	congested,	this	is	reflected	in	your	skin. Your
skin	is	the	last	organ	to	receive	nutrition	in	the	body,	yet	is	among	the	first
organs	to	show	signs	of	an	imbalance	or	deficiency. But	skin	does	also	work	in	the	opposite	way,	absorbing	what	is	applied	to	it
on	the	outside. It	is	therefore	critical	to	be	strategic	about	putting	the	best
ingredients	on	the	surface	of	your	skin	to	help	repair	and	support	its	health
from	the	outside	in. This	seems	obvious,	but	there	is	a	great	deal	of	marketing
hype	to	weed	through	to	determine	what	works	and	what	is	merely	an	empty
claim. It’s	also	critical	to	avoid	the	numerous	toxic	ingredients	that	can	be
absorbed	and	not	only	tax	your	skin	but	also	enter	your	bloodstream	and
burden	your	
liver. Your	skin	is	also	influenced	by	your	emotions	and	mental	state. Research
shows	that	stress	can	cause	visible	aging	at	the	cellular	level,	including	a	study
published	in	the	
Proceedings	of	the	National	Academy	of	Sciences
. 1
	
Elissa	Epel,	one
of	the	researchers	for	this	study,	states,	“This	is	the	first	time	that	psychological
stress	has	been	linked	to	a	cellular	indicator	of	aging	in	healthy	people.”
2
Luckily,	many	of	the	techniques	in	this	pillar	will	help	relax	your	mind	and
body	while	nurturing	your	skin	from	the	outside	in. Healthy,	smooth,	and	radiant	skin	is	considered	the	holy	grail	of	beauty. If
you	survey	any	woman	(and	most	men,	even	though	they	might	not	discuss	it	as
openly! ),	you	will	find	that	beautiful	skin	is	at	the	very	top	of	her	beauty	wish
list. Well,	the	time	has	come	for	you	to	get	your	wish. By	working	with	yourskin	and	incorporating	ingredients	into	your	routine	that	will	help	nourish
your	skin,	you’ll	create	an	optimal	environment	for	your	skin	to	grow,	repair,
and	heal	itself. The	result	will	be	skin	that	glows,	reflecting	your	highest	beauty. Natural	vs.	Chemical	Ingredients
Some	may	think	that	the	expensive,	scientifically	created,	cutting-edge	products
on	the	market	are	automatically	the	most	effective	choices	out	there,	but	this	is
not	necessarily	the	case. The	antioxidants	found	in	natural	plant	ingredients	are
still	widely	considered	to	be	among	the	most	powerful	skin-care	ingredients,
and	this	is	consistently	proven	in	research. As	
Richard	Baxter,	MD,	of	the	University	of	Washington	
School	of
Medicine,	states,	“There	is	enough	published	work	to	convince	me	that	the
antioxidant	botanicals	will	be	the	next	big	thing	in	skin	care.”
3
	They	may	be	the
“next	big	thing,”	but	they	have	also	been	around	for	thousands	of	years—much
like	ancient	practices	like	yoga	and	meditation	are	tagged	as	“new	age.”	(Ironic
and	illogical,	right?) Synthetic	ingredients	may	have	properties	to	help	boost
your	skin,	but	some	may	tax	your	skin	and	even	be	toxic. 4
	That	toxicity	can	be
absorbed	right	from	your	skin	into	your	system. 5
As	with	your	diet,	the	best	approach	to	skin	care	is	to	understand	the	power
of	nature. Nature’s	beauty	is	unparalleled,	and	if	you	live	closer	to	nature	in	all
aspects	of	your	lifestyle,	your	natural	beauty	will	increase. Choose	nontoxic
products	that	contain	natural,	plant-based	ingredients. As	long	as	they	aren’t
toxic,	scientifically	created	ingredients,	like	concentrated,	isolated	peptides,	that
are	aimed	at	a	specific	purpose	such	as	minimizing	the	appearance	of	fine	lines
and	wrinkles	can	work	together	with	natural	ingredients	to	create	powerful
combinations. Nature	and	science	can	most	certainly	work	together	in	a
balanced	way. Organic	ingredients	are,	by	definition,	pesticide-	and	GMO-free. But	keep	in
mind	that	products	may	contain	some	organic	ingredients	but	may	not	be	
100
percent
	organic	if	other	ingredients	are	processed	in	some	way	to	make	them
usable	or	if	they	are	actually	lab	created. Natural	minerals	such	as	mica	are	not
considered	organic	because	they	are	not	plant	based. Also,	water	and	salts	are
excluded	when	determining	a	product’s	percentage	of	organic	ingredients. This
means	that	some	
great	products	may	be	an	effective	blend	of	nontoxic
ingredients	derived	from	nature	and	science,	but	may	not	be	necessarily	labeled
100	percent	organic. There	are	literally	tens	of	thousands	of	beauty	products	on	the	market,	all
virtually	screaming	at	you	from	store	aisles	with	their	bold,	brightly	coloredpackages. If	you	glance	at	magazines,	you’ll	see	the	latest,	hottest	new	skin-care
ingredients	pop	up	every	month. It	can	be	very	confusing	to	determine	the	
best
(and	worse)	choices	for	your	skin. HOW	TO	READ	SKIN-CARE	PRODUCT	LABELS	(IT’S	NOT	WHAT	YOU’VE	HEARD)
The	FDA	requires	that	ingredients	be	listed	in	
INCI	(International	Nomenclature	of
Cosmetic	Ingredients)	language. These	labels	often	are	not	easily	read	and	usually
contain	long	words	and	names. An	overly	simplified	and	false	statement	you	hear	a
lot	is	that	if	you	can’t	pronounce	it,	you	should	not	eat	it	or	use	it	on	your	skin. But	if
you	look	at	the	INCI	language	required	for	a	natural	ingredient	like	shea	butter,	you
would	see	
Butyrospermum	parkii
,	and	for	avocado	you	would	see	
Persea
gratissima
. These	hard-to-pronounce	words	(which	are	the	binomial	plant	names)
would	scare	anyone	who	tried	to	follow	this	rule! If	you	are	unsure	of	an	ingredient
or	INCI	language	name,	you	can	search	the	INCI	directory. Best	Radical	Beauty	Skin-Care	Ingredients
Despite	the	“breakthrough”	ingredients	that	are	constantly	being	introduced	by
skin-care	companies,	there	are	some	important	staples	that	should	be	included
in	your	external	beauty	skin-care	routine. Over	time,	these	have	held	up	as
being	the	most	effective,	from	both	a	clinical	research	and	an	anecdotal	point
of	view. They	are	among	the	most	important	beauty	ingredients	to	include	in
your	personal	external	skin-care	beauty	arsenal. Antioxidants
Unless	you	haven’t	opened	a	beauty	or	health	magazine	in	the	last	two	decades,
you	have	surely	heard	of	antioxidants. Antioxidants,	naturally	present	in	most
plant	foods	in	varying	degrees,	can	help	counter	skin-aging	free	radicals	and
prevent	damaged	skin	cells. This	means	slowing	down	those	pesky	skin	issues
we	all	want	to	avoid,	such	as	wrinkles,	dry	or	dull	skin,	dark	under-eye	circles,
and	crow’s	feet. You’ll	find	a	very	wide	range	of	antioxidants	and	corresponding	plant
ingredients	touted	in	various	skin-care	products. These	can	range	from	coffee
berry	to	acai	and	a	range	of	other	berries	and	fruits. Some	of	the	most	powerful
antioxidant	ingredients	are	listed	below. Vitamin	C
Vitamin	C	is	so	powerful	and	produces	such	great	results	that	no	skin-care
routine	should	be	without	it. It’s	present	in	many	fruits	and	vegetables	and	is
added	into	skin-care	products	in	a	concentrated	form. Vitamin	C	has	long	beenconsidered	a	workhorse	ingredient,	and	its	effectiveness	has	been	backed	up	by
clinical	research. 6
	It	increases	collagen	production,	which	creates	firm,
beautiful,	and	thicker	skin	over	time,	helps	to	keep	skin	
hydrated,	and
diminishes	fine	lines	and	wrinkles. As	an	antioxidant	vitamin,	it	helps	squash
skin	damage	caused	by	unstable	free	radicals	and	sun	exposure
7
	and	also	boosts
the	efficacy	of	
vitamin	E.	On	a	label,	concentrated	forms	of	vitamin	C	often
read	as	L-ascorbic	acid. Vitamin	E
Vitamin	E,	made	up	of	tocopherols	and	tocotrienols,	is	another	great
antioxidant	vitamin	that	is	highly	protective	of	your	cells	and	helps	your	skin
retain	moisture	to	stay	supple	and	beautiful. Vitamin	E	also	helps	reverse
existing	damage	to	your	skin,	including	scarring	from	
acne	and	blemishes	and
age	spots. Used	in	a	skin-care	product	formulation,	vitamin	E	also	helps
stabilize	other	ingredients	as	well	as	oils,	preventing	them	from	going	rancid. Tocopherol	acetate	is	an	artificial	form	of	vitamin	E	that	is	often	seen	on
product	labels. It’s	made	from	a	combination	of	naturally	derived	vitamin	E
and	other	chemical	compounds,	such	as	acetic	acid. The	natural	vitamin	E	is
generally	considered	preferable. Vitamin	A	and	Its	Derivatives
There	has	been	a	lot	of	research	on	this	ingredient	dating	back	to	the	1980s,
proving	it	to	be	a	highly	effective	anti-aging	treatment. It	helps	improve	cell
communication,	in	effect	“telling”	your	skin	cells	to	correct	themselves. This
improves	the	look	of	wrinkles	and	promotes	firmness	so	your	skin	appears
more	healthy	and	youthful. Vitamin	A	is	the	precursor	to	retinoids,	which	can
be	applied	topically	or	ingested;	they	cannot	be	made	in	the	human	body. These
retinoids,	or	retinoic	acids,	come	in	various	forms,	including	retinol,	
retinyl
palmitate,	tretinoin,	and	tazarotene. Some	of	these	require	a	prescription,	while
retinol	and	retinyl	palmitate	can	be	found	in	various	over-the-counter	products. This	category	of	ingredients	has	been	shown	to	help	promote	smoother	skin
and	overall	brighter	skin	tone,	while	reversing	discoloration	and	repairing
cellular	structure	damage,	such	as	scars,	lines	and	wrinkles,	and	even	
acne. This	is	all	great,	but—and	there’s	a	big	“but”	here—retinoids	are	considered	by
some	to	be	toxic. This	is	largely	due	to	their	ability	to	make	you	more	sensitive
to	sunlight	and	because	of	pregnancy	concerns. The	
Environmental	Working
Group	states,	“Data	from	an	FDA	study	indicate	that	retinyl	palmitate,	when
applied	to	the	skin	in	the	presence	of	sunlight,	may	speed	the	development	of
skin	tumors	and	lesions. The	FDA	and	Norwegian	and	German	health	agencieshave	raised	a	concern	that	daily	skin	application	of	vitamin	A	creams	may
contribute	to	excessive	vitamin	A	intake	for	pregnant	women	and	other
populations.”
8
Retinoids	can	also	be	irritating	and	intolerable,	so	be	sure	to	check	with	your
dermatologist	and	evaluate	whether	or	not	retinoids	in	any	form	are	right	for
you. They	are	considered	a	highly	effective	ingredient,	but	from	a	toxicity
standpoint	they	are	not	completely	in	the	clear. Again,	evaluate	for	yourself	and
see	what	is	right	for	you	and	your	skin. If	you	do	choose	to	go	this	route	and
use	some	vitamin	A	derivatives,	be	sure	to	use	strong	protection	from	the	sun
or	avoid	sunlight	altogether. And	remember	that	all	women	trying	to	conceive
or	who	are	pregnant	must	completely	avoid	retinoids. Alpha	Hydroxy	Acids	(AHAs)
Exfoliation	helps	your	skin	shed	old,	damaged	surface	skin	cells	to	allow	new,
fresh	cells	to	grow	in	their	place. If	you	don’t	slough	old	cells,	it’s	harder	for
your	body	to	absorb	the	ingredients	from	your	skin-care	products;	they	will
more	likely	just	sit	on	the	surface	of	the	older,	dead	skin	cells	and	not	do	you
any	real	
good. What	a	waste! This	is	similar	to	the	concept	of	internal
detoxification. You	have	to	make	space	for	the	new	raw	materials	to	come	in
and	be	absorbed	and	assimilated	so	they	can	be	used	to	fuel	your	beauty. AHAs	exfoliate	without	scrubbing	with	physically	dense	abrasives	such	as
grains,	granules,	apricot	pits,	and	the	like,	which	can	lead	to	broken	capillaries
and	damaged	pores. However,	if	your	skin	is	dark	or	particularly	sensitive,	be
very	careful	to	avoid	irritation. There	are	various	kinds	of	AHAs	and	different
strengths	to	choose	from,	including	malic,	mandelic,	lactic,	and	glycolic	acids. The	mandelic	and	malic	acids	tend	to	be	much	safer	for	dark	skin,	though	be
sure	to	ask	your	dermatologist	if	you	are	unsure	which	AHAs	are	right	for	your
skin,	and	ask	what	strength	to	use. AHAs	can	also	make	your	skin	more
sensitive	to	sunlight,	so	be	sure	to	protect	yourself	properly. Green	Tea
Green	tea	is	a	fantastic	ingredient	to	include	in	your	skin-care	routine	due	to	its
polyphenols,	a	type	of	flavonoid	that	enacts	powerful	antioxidant	activity. Topically	applied,	green	tea	can	help	reduce	inflammation	in	your	skin,	thereby
preventing	or	slowing	the	formation	of	lines	and	wrinkles	and	reducing	sagging
skin. Some	studies	have	shown	that	green	tea	can	also	reduce	damage	from
environmental	pollution	and	sun	damage. 9
PeptidesPeptides	are	protein	fragments	that	have	been	shown	to	have	some	beneficial
effects	on	skin. In	particular,	they	help	heal	damaged	tissue	from	scars	and
wrinkles	and	stimulate	the	production	of	healthy	normal	skin. Some	research
has	shown	that	peptides	can	help	enhance	cell	communication,
10
	regulating	the
exchange	and	growth	rates	between	layers	of	skin	cells. Peptides	can	also	prevent
harmful	oxidation	that	damages	the	skin,	and	they	have	
anti-inflammatory
properties	that	can	better	set	up	your	skin	to	heal	itself. Essential	Fatty	Acids	(EFAs)
EFAs	reduce	the	amount	of	moisture	lost	through	your	epidermis,	the	top	layer
of	your	skin,	thereby	keeping	your	skin	soft	and	elastic	instead	of	dried	out. They	are	particularly	protective	in	cold	or	windy	weather,	which	can	strip	away
the	skin’s	lipid	barrier	and	contribute	to	skin	conditions	such	as	eczema. The
anti-inflammatory	properties	of	these	essential	fats	are	also	helpful	for	eczema
and	psoriasis,	and	in	preventing	inflammation	that	can	contribute	to	aging. There	are	many	natural	sources	for	these	essential	fatty	acids,	such	as	shea
butter,	kukui	nut,	jojoba,	rosehip,	sesame	seed,	black	currant,	evening	primrose,
camellia	seed,	almond,	apricot	kernel,	argan,	hemp	seed,	manuka,	kokum,
pumpkin	seed,	olive,	black	cumin	seed,	coconut,	sea	buckthorn,	avocado,
borage,	tamanu,	and	walnut	oils. Hyaluronic	Acid	(HA)
The	body	uses	hyaluronic	acid	to	make	new	cells,	and	it	is	a	natural	compound
found	in	the	skin. As	we	age,	we	produce	less	of	this	acid,	so	adding	it	back
helps	repair	the	skin	and	reduce	inflammation. As	a	skin-care	product
ingredient,	it	helps	not	only	to	deliver	moisture	to	the	skin	but	also	to	hold	it
there,	preventing	moisture	loss	for	continued	smooth	skin	while	protecting	the
skin	from	dirt,	debris,	and	pollutants. It	doesn’t	penetrate	too	deeply,	staying
near	the	surface	of	your	skin. Hyaluronic	acid	was	once	produced	largely	from
the	comb	of	a	rooster,	but	thankfully	it	is	now	produced	in	a	lab	from	a
fermentation	process	that	involves	plant	materials. Clay
There	are	different	kinds	of	clays,	which	are	a	highly	beneficial	ingredient	to
include	in	skin	masks. Sometimes	masks	are	pushed	to	the	side	in	a	skin-care
routine,	but	applying	masks	is	an	ancient	beauty	tool	that	can	be	very	beneficial
to	use	at	least	once	a	week	(depending	on	your	skin	type)	to	help	you	maintain
beautiful	skin	for	the	long-term. Clay	is	a	unique	ingredient	with	the	ability	to	absorb	excess	oils,	dirt,	andharmful	toxins	from	the	skin. Clays	are	made	up	of	different	mineral	contents,
which	are	unique	to	different	types	of	clays,	and	these	minerals	help	rejuvenate
the	skin	as	the	clay	simultaneously	exfoliates	and	stimulates	blood	circulation
to	the	skin. The	more	regularly	you	use	clays,	the	fresher	your	skin	will	look. Improved	circulation	and	the	removal	of	debris	from	your	pores	instantly
improve	the	brightness	of	your	skin. Rose	clay	is	mild	kaolin	clay	that	is	great	for	normal	to	dry	skin	and	gently
helps	cleanse,	exfoliate,	and	improve	skin’s	condition. It	gets	its	delicate	pink
color	from	the	iron	oxides	it	contains. White	clay,	also	known	as	China	clay,	is
basically	kaolinite	and	is	the	mildest	of	all	clays. It	helps	stimulate	circulation
to	the	skin	while	gently	exfoliating	and	cleansing. French	green	clay	consists
mostly	of	montmorillonite	and	is	highly	efficient	at	drawing	oils	and	toxins
from	the	skin. It	also	helps	nourish	the	skin	with	minerals	and	phytonutrients. It	is	great	for	oily	skin	and	is	commonly	included	in	spa	body	wraps. It’s	not
recommended	for	sensitive	or	dry	skin. Yellow	kaolin	clay	is	mild	and
stimulates	circulation	to	the	skin;	it	is	suitable	for	use	on	sensitive	skin	as	well
as	dry	skin. ANCIENT	BEAUTY	INGREDIENT:	
ROSE	WATER
Roses	are	one	of	the	most	universally	revered	flowers	for	their	beauty	and	sweet
fragrance,	but	what	can	they	do	for	your	skin? In	
ancient	Rome,	rose	water	was
allegedly	used	as	a	cleanser. Some	even	bathed	in	it. Rose	water	has	also	been	a
part	of	
Indian	skin	care	for	millennia. Just	like	natural	foods,	natural	skin-care
ingredients	can	impart	their	beautifying	properties	onto	you. Pure,	true	rose	water
is	created	from	steam	distillation	of	damask	rose	petals. It	smells	delicate	and
delicious	and	nothing	like	the	synthetic	and	sickeningly	strong	fragrances	that	are
used	in	toxic	sprays	and	car	air	fresheners. Rose	water	is	said	to	have	some	antibacterial	and	antiseptic	properties	and	is
believed	to	help	restore	the	skin’s	pH	levels	and	tighten	pores. It’s	also	considered
to	be	anti-inflammatory	and	to	help	regenerate	skin	tissue. The	sugars	and	natural
oils	found	in	rose	petals	trap	moisture	in	your	skin,	making	your	skin	look	smoother
and	softer—just	like	the	beautiful	rose	petals	themselves. Plus	rose	water’s	natural
fragrance	can	help	soothe	your	nervous	system. This	will	help	destress	you,
another	key	factor	in	keeping	your	skin	youthful	and	healthy. Try	to	find	some	pure	rose	water	at	a	health	store	and	add	a	few	drops	to	your
cleanser	or	moisturizer. You	can	also	try	using	it	as	a	toner,	either	pure	or	mixed
with	a	bit	of	witch	hazel,	gently	brushing	it	over	your	skin	with	a	cotton	pad	after
cleansing. Bentonite	clay	is	derived	from	deposits	of	weathered	volcanic	ash. It	absorbs
toxins	such	as	heavy	metals	and	other	pollutants	from	the	surface	of	your	skin
like	a	kitchen	sponge. There	is	also	an	electrical	aspect	to	bentonite	clay’s	abilityto	bind	and	absorb	toxins. Bentonite	clay	has	a	negative	electrical	charge,
attracting	positively	charged	molecules. As	most	toxins	are	positively	charged,
clay	naturally	rids	the	body	of	toxins	as	it	pulls	and	holds	the	toxins	in	its
core. 11
Cosmetics	Safety:	Critical	for	Your	Overall	Beauty
Just	because	a	cosmetic	is	sitting	innocuously	on	the	shelf	at	your	local
pharmacy,	there’s	no	guarantee	that	it	is	safe	and	will	not	have	toxic
ramifications	on	your	body. The	US	
Food	and	Drug	Administration	(FDA)	has
no	authority	to	require	companies	to	test	cosmetic	products	for	safety,	and
most	products	and	ingredients	are	not	approved	or	reviewed	before	they	are
placed	on	shelves. The	FDA	conducts	premarket	reviews	only	of	certain
cosmetics’	color	additives	and	active	ingredients	that	are	classified	as	over-the-
counter	drugs. 12
,
13
	It	also	has	no	authority	to	require	recalls	of	harmful
cosmetics,	and	manufacturers	are	not	required	to	report	cosmetics-related
injuries	to	the	agency. The	FDA	relies	on	companies	to	report	injuries
voluntarily
14
	(yes,	you	read	that	right—
voluntarily
! ). Cosmetics	in	the	
European	Union	are	far	more	strictly	regulated. There,	over
1,000	ingredients	have	been	banned	from	use. In	contrast,	the	FDA	has	only
prohibited	a	fraction	of	those	ingredients,	including	some	color	additives	and
other	prohibited	substances. 15
	Another	scary	fact	is	that	federal	law	allows
companies	to	leave	some	chemical	ingredients	off	their	product	labels,
including	those	considered	to	be	trade	secrets	and	some	components	of
fragrance	and	nanomaterials. 16
Since	the	FDA	does	not	play	a	big	role	in	regulating	the	safety	of	ingredients,
it	has	authorized	the	cosmetics	industry	to	police	itself	with	the	Cosmetic
Ingredient	Review	panel. To	date,	in	its	thirty-plus-year	history,	the	industry
panel	has	declared	only	eleven	ingredients	or	chemical	groups	to	be	unsafe,
17
and	its	recommendations	on	restricting	ingredients	are	not	binding	on
companies. 18
	So	it	doesn’t	sound	like	much	real	“policing”	is	going	on. Where
does	that	leave	us,	as	consumers? Ingredients	from	cosmetics	not	only	are	absorbed	through	the	skin	but	are
also	often	swallowed	and	inhaled	from	sprays	and	powders. Many	of	them	are
hormone	disruptors	that	can	create	developmental	and	reproductive	damage
and	allergic	reactions,	act	as	carcinogens,	and	create	other	kinds	of	damage	in
the	body. 19
,
20
	It’s	ultra-important	to	understand	labels	and	ingredients,	as	the
FDA	says	that	descriptions	such	as	“hypoallergenic”	or	“natural”	can	“meananything	or	nothing	at	all.”
21
	Don’t	assume	that	companies	or	any	prevailing
organizations—governmental	or	otherwise—are	necessarily	looking	out	for	your
best	interests. It’s	important	to	scan	labels	and	look	into	the	ethos	of	brands
that	you	choose	to	use	in	and	on	your	body. Ultimately,	we	have	to	look	out	for
our	families	and	ourselves	and	not	leave	our	safety	in	the	hands	of	anyone	else. Toxic	
Skin-Care	Ingredients	to	Avoid
There	are	countless	toxins	and	additives	in	commercial	skin-care,	makeup,
body-care,	and	other	personal-care	products. It	would	fill	this	entire	book	(and
more)	to	list	and	describe	them	all. But	there	are	some	common	offenders	that
are	worse	than	others. For	more	information,	the	
Campaign	for	Safe	Cosmetics
(
safecosmetics. org/
)	and	the	Environmental	Working	Group	Skin	Deep
Cosmetics	Database	(
ewg. org/
skindeep/
)	are	two	great	resources	to	consult
about	the	toxicity	of	specific	products	and	ingredients. These	organizations,	as
well	as	certain	reports,	believe	that	toxic	ingredients	can	create	DNA	damage;
act	as	carcinogens;	create	brain,	liver,	kidney,	and	other	organ	abnormalities;
produce	allergic	or	other	reactions;	and	cause	eye	damage,	nervous	system
damage,	reproductive	damage,	and	birth	defects. 22
	The	list	of	these	possible
dangers	continues	to	grow	as	more	chemicals	are	introduced	and	studied. Here	are	some	of	the	most	glaringly	
toxic	ingredients	to	avoid. Again,	this	is
like	a	drop	in	the	ocean,	
not
	an	exhaustive	list:
•
Benzoyl	peroxide
•
Synthetic	(or	artificial)	FD&C	colors	and	dyes
•
Propylene	glycol	(PG)	and	butylene	glycol
•
Diethanolamine	(DEA),	
monoethanolamine	(MEA),	and	
triethanolamine
(TEA)
•
Methyl-,	butyl-,	ethyl-,	and	propylparabens
•
Sodium	lauryl	sulfate	(SLS)	and	sodium	laureth	sulfate	(SLES)
•
Dioxin
•
Polyethylene	glycol	(PEG)
•
Avobenzone
•
Phthalates
•
Triclosan•
DMDM	hydantoin	and	
imidazolidinyl	urea
RADICALLY	TIMELESS	BEAUTY	MASK
This	nourishing	mask	will	leave	your	skin	feeling	moisturized,	smooth,	and	radiant. Used	regularly,	it
can	help	ward	off	wrinkles	and	puffiness. These	ingredients	are	rich	in	nourishing	enzymes,	vitamin
E,	and	beauty	fats	and	oils. 1	tablespoon	raw,	organic	honey
1	teaspoon	almond	oil
1	teaspoon	rose	water
Combine	the	ingredients	in	a	small	bowl. Apply	to	your	face	and	neck	for	about	15	to	20	minutes. Rinse	well. Sunscreen	Ingredients:	Wading	Through	the
Toxic	and	the	Safe
It’s	well	established	that	sunscreen	can	help	protect	against	skin	
cancers	and	sun
damage. The	risk	isn’t	entirely	related	to	how	much	sun	hits	your	unprotected
skin,	since	exposure	when	you	were	a	child	can	lead	to	a	higher	risk	of	skin
cancer	as	an	adult,	and	the	exposure	doesn’t	need	to	be	drastic. The	best	rule,
however,	is	to	protect	yourself	from	the	sun’s	ultraviolet	(UV)	radiation	as
much	as	you	can. Best	medical	advice	also	holds	that	you	use	a	higher	sunblock
number. Simple	measures	like	wearing	a	sun	hat	with	a	wide	brim	help	remove
the	burden	from	sunblocks,	along	with	sitting	in	the	shade	and	wearing
sunglasses	that	are	UV	resistant. Also	be	aware	that	there	are	a	multitude	of	toxic	ingredients	in	most
sunscreens. When	choosing	a	sunscreen,	look	for	products	with	the	active
ingredient	
zinc	oxide	or	titanium	dioxide. These	are	physical	protectants,	which
reflect	UV	rays	off	your	skin,	rather	than	chemical	products. Here	are	some	toxic	skin-care	ingredients	to	look	out	for	and	avoid. OXYBENZONE	(AKA	BENZOPHENONE-3)
While	the	
American	Academy	of	Dermatology	says	oxybenzone	is	safe,	the
Environmental	Working	Group	(EWG)	and	other	toxicology	experts	believe
that	oxybenzone	is	linked	to	hormone	disruption	and	potentially	to	cell
damage	that	may	lead	to	skin	
cancer. 23
	Some	studies	have	linked	oxybenzone
use	in	pregnant	women	to	low	birth	weight,
24
	which	can	lead	to	serious	health
problems	later	in	life;	it	also	may	impact	the	adrenal	system
25
	and	may	alsoreduce	testosterone	levels	in	men. 26
NANOPARTICLES
These	are	extremely	tiny	particles	added	to	sunscreen	that	are	easily	absorbed	by
the	skin. About	100,000	times	smaller	than	the	width	of	a	human	hair,	these
tiny	particles	can	penetrate	the	blood-brain	barrier,	leading	to	damage	or
genetic	changes	in	the	brain	cells. 27
	Be	sure	that	the	ingredients	on	your
sunscreen	are	in	a	non-nano	form. This	even	goes	for	safer	sunscreen
ingredients	such	as	zinc	oxide	and	titanium	dioxide,	as	micronized	titanium
dioxide	has	been	associated	with	cellular	damage. 28
RETINYL	PALMITATE
In	a	
National	Toxicology	Program	study	on	lab	animals,	it	was	found	that	when
skin	is	treated	with	a	mix	of	retinyl	palmitate	(RP),	a	vitamin	A	derivative,	and
skin	cream	and	exposed	to	ultraviolet	light,	the	cream	with	retinyl	palmitate
stimulated	lesion	and	tumor	growth. 29
	As	discussed	earlier,	while	vitamin	A
may	be	considered	a	wonderful	skin-care	ingredient	in	its	natural	state,	it
should	be	restricted	to	night	creams	for	those	that	choose	to	use	it—and	never
used	in	sunscreen. OCTYL	METHOXYCINNAMATE	(AKA	
OCTINOXATE,	
EUSOLEX	2292,
AND	
UVINUL	MC80)
This	is	an	ingredient	that	is	believed	to	create	free	radicals	inside	the	skin,
which	can	create	cellular	and	DNA	damage. Similar	to	
oxybenzone,	it	works
with	other	penetration	enhancers	to	enter	through	the	skin	and	accumulate	in
the	body. It	has	the	potential	to	possibly	create	phototoxic	effects,	meaning	that
toxic	reactions	are	provoked	by	light. 30
PADIMATE	O	(AKA	PARA-AMINOBENZOIC	ACID,	OR	
PABA)
Because	this	can	be	very	irritating	to	the	skin,	it	has	largely	been	phased	out	of
most	sunscreens. But	it’s	worth	looking	out	for,	just	in	case	it’s	still	lurking
around	in	some	brands. According	to	the	EWG,	PABA	can	release	free	radicals,
create	allergic	reactions,	damage	DNA,	and	induce	estrogenic	activity;	and	they
implicated	padimate	O	as	a	nitrosamine,	a	class	of	compounds	that	may	be
carcinogenic. 31
SOLAR	BEAUTY	SMOOTHER	TREATMENTAlmond,	argan,	and	olive	oils	are	particularly	good	for	replenishing	the	moisture	in	dry	skin	and
contain	vitamin	E	and	nourishing	minerals. Sweet	orange	oil	is	believed	to	be	particularly	effective	in
helping	rejuvenate	and	revitalize	the	skin	against	sun	damage. 2	teaspoons	almond	oil
1	teaspoon	argan	or	avocado	oil
8	drops	sweet	orange	essential	oil
Combine	all	ingredients	until	mixed	well. Rub	onto	sun-exposed	areas,	reapplying	two	or	three	times
per	day. For	a	firmer,	more	cream-like	consistency,	store	in	a	glass	or	BPA-free	container	in	the
refrigerator. Beautiful	Underarms:	Toxic	Versus	Safe
Deodorants	and	Antiperspirants
One	beautiful	way	your	body	was	designed	for	detoxification	is	to	allow	wastes
to	evaporate	through	the	pores	of	your	skin. A	key	area	where	your	body
detoxes	itself	is	under	your	arms,	where	sweat	glands	and	lymph	nodes	are
located. The	modern	concept	of	using	antiperspirants	to	stop	your	underarms
from	sweating	can	hold	toxicity	in. This	is	not	natural	or	recommended. Clogging	your	body’s	normal	channels	for	waste	removal	is	not	a	good	idea. You	can	wipe	or	cleanse	your	underarms	during	the	day	if	you	are	concerned
about	excessive	moisture,	and	there	are	natural	solutions	to	prevent	underarm
odor. Keep	in	mind	that	as	you	clean	up	your	diet	and	improve	your	digestion
and	the	elimination	of	wastes	in	your	system,	your	level	of	offensive	bodily
odors	may	naturally	decrease. But	you	will	probably	still	want	to	use	something
to	ensure	that	you	always	smell	fresh	and	clean. When	you	do,	it’s	important	to
choose	your	deodorant	wisely. Commercial	deodorants	contain	some
potentially	toxic	materials	that	you	should	try	to	avoid. Some	of	these
ingredients	include	aluminum,	parabens,	propylene	glycol,	triclosan,	TEA,
DEA,	FD&C,	phthalates,	and	talc. Aluminum	has	been	linked	to	Alzheimer’s,	
cancer,	and	allergic	reactions. Some	people	dispute	the	link	between	the	type	of	aluminum	used	in
deodorants	and	these	diseases,
32
	but	others	believe	it	is	worth	avoiding. Some
have	suggested	that	aluminum-based	compounds	in	antiperspirants	may	be
absorbed	through	the	skin	and	can	be	a	health	risk	factor,	though	much	more
research	is	needed	to	show	a	definite	link. With	all	the	alternatives	out	there
nowadays	in	various	deodorants,	you	can	certainly	avoid	aluminum	if	you
choose. Parabens	mimic	the	activity	of	estrogen	in	the	body. Since	estrogen	promotesthe	growth	of	breast	cancer	cells,	and	a	woman	is	eight	times	more	likely	to
develop	breast	cancer	in	the	part	of	the	breast	closest	to	the	underarm,	scientists
are	studying	the	connection,	though	further	studies	and	research	are	needed. RADICALLY	SAFE	DEODORANT
It	is	easy	to	make	your	own	deodorant	that	is	safe	and	effective	in	eliminating	unpleasant	underarm
odor! The	coconut	oil	and	baking	soda	in	this	DIY	version	both	have	antibacterial	properties	and	help
prevent	odor,	while	the	grapefruit	extract	smells	bright	and	fresh	and	has	antibacterial	and	antiseptic
qualities	as	well. The	arrowroot	starch	helps	thicken	your	deodorant	into	a	somewhat	solid	form	that
is	easy	to	apply. 3	tablespoons	coconut	oil
3	tablespoons	baking	soda
40	(or	so)	drops	grapefruit	extract
1½	tablespoons	arrowroot	starch
In	a	bowl,	mix	together	all	the	ingredients	until	well	combined	into	a	thick,	paste-like	consistency. Store	in	the	refrigerator	for	20	to	30	minutes	to	let	the	coconut	oil	resolidify	if	it	liquefied	during	the
mixing	process. Place	the	mixture	into	a	small	glass	or	BPA-free	container. Dip	your	fingers	into	the
mixture	and	apply	it	directly	to	your	underarms. To	keep	your	deodorant	solid,	be	sure	to	store	it	in	a
cool	place,	but	even	if	it	liquefies	a	bit,	it	will	still	work	just	as	well!SHIFT	7:
Practices	to	Nourish	Your	Skin	from
the	Outside	In
In	
Pillar	1
,	you	learned	to	boost	your	beauty	from	the	inside	out	by	eating
foods	with	unique	properties	that	help	boost	
circulation	and	support	your
body’s	natural	processes. Many	people	don’t	realize	that	in	addition	to	using
the	right	skin-care	products,	there	are	also	many	things	you	can	do	to	improve
the	body’s	functions	from	the	outside	in. Supporting	Your	Lymphatic	Circulation	for
Enhanced	Detoxification	and	Slowed	Aging
Most	people	don’t	think	about	it	that	much,	but	we	have	a	second	circulatory
system	devoted	to	healing	and	immunity	known	as	the	
lymphatic	system. Composed	of	your	spleen,	thymus,	lymph,	lymph	nodes,	and	lymph	channels
as	well	as	your	tonsils	and	adenoids,	your	lymphatic	system	works	directly	with
your	cardiovascular	circulatory	system	to	keep	blood	and	lymphatic	fluid	levels
in	balance	and	flush	toxins	out	of	the	body. Fluid	squeezed	from	the	blood,
called	interstitial	fluid	or	“lymph,”	transports	waste	to	your	lymph	nodes
through	a	series	of	vessels	similar	to	veins. There,	the	fluid	is	neutralized,
filtered,	and	eventually	returned	to	the	bloodstream. These	vessels	also	carry
immune	cells	throughout	the	body	to	help	defend	against	infections. Called	
rasa
	in	
Ayurveda,	your	lymph	is	part	of	the	plasma	that	is	considered
part	of	the	primary	
dhatu
,	or	structure	of	the	body. Healthy	
rasa
	is	key	in	order
to	give	rise	to	the	next	
dhatu
,	healthy	
rakta
,	or	blood,	and	consequently	the
other	
dhatus
	in	the	body. Rasa
	is	said	to	govern	your	emotional	and	hunger
responses,	which	is	another	good	reason	to	keep	it	flowing. Unlike	the	cardiovascular	system,	the	heart	does	not	pump	the	lymphatic
system,	which	is	basically	self-circulating. Gravity,	muscle	contractions,	and
certain	forms	of	movement	and	manipulation	stimulate	this	system. If	yourlymphatic	circulation	gets	sluggish,	toxins	build	up,	which	is	the	precursor	to
accelerated	aging. 1
	Aches	and	pains	can	also	appear,	and	your	immunity	is
lowered. This	can	adversely	affect	your	thymus	gland,	tonsils,	and	spleen,	which
in	turn	can	weaken	your	body	against	sickness	and	diseases. Traditional	Chinese
Medicine	believes	that	your	spleen	plays	a	central	part	in	your	vitality	and
strength. Because	the	two	systems	work	together,	incorporating	the	foods
recommended	in	
Pillar	1
	for	your	cardiovascular	system	will	also	be	beneficial
for	your	lymphatic	system. However,	since	your	almighty	heart	does	not	pump
the	lymphatic	system,	there	are	specific	methods	to	support	this	system	that	are
applied	to	the	outside	of	the	body. Here	are	some	great	methods	you	can
incorporate	to	support	your	lymph	system	and	nourish	glowing,	healthy	skin
from	the	outside	in. GET	A	MASSAGE
Massages	are	incredibly	beneficial	for	detoxification. Stimulating	the	blood	and
lymph	vessels	helps	move	the	fluids	and	enhance	circulation. Professional
massages	are	wonderful,	as	well	as	a	regular	practice	of	self-massage. PRACTICE	ABHYANGA
This	ancient	form	of	self-massage	is	a	powerful	anti-aging	practice	that	can
easily	be	incorporated	into	your	daily	routine. Abhyanga
	will	make	you	feel
rejuvenated,	soften	your	skin,	and	contribute	to	a	better	overall	skin	tone	while
also	fostering	muscle	tone. There	is	a	belief	in	Ayurveda	that	working	manually
on	the	surface	of	the	skin	helps	support	the	structure	and	health	of	your
muscles,	as	there	is	a	connection	between	your	skin	and	muscle	health. Some	of
abhyanga’
s	deeper,	detoxifying	properties	are	meant	to	be	cumulative	and	long-
term,	so	you	may	not	witness	immediate	benefits,	but	you	will	likely	feel
invigorated	by	the	movement	while	you	trust	that	deeper	support	for
detoxification	is	taking	place	beneath	the	surface! As	you	know,	the	importance
of	improving	circulation	and	detoxification	(which	is	part	of	what	
abhyanga
	is
all	about)	cannot	be	overestimated	for	its	long-term	role	in	maintaining	your
health	and	beauty. Abhyanga
	has	been	part	of	
Ayurveda	for	thousands	of	years	and	is	perhaps
the	foremost	anti-aging	practice	you	can	incorporate	into	your	daily	life. That	is
a	pretty	strong	statement,	but	
abhyanga
	can	help	balance	your	entire	mind	and
body,	relieve	fatigue,	provide	stamina,	enhance	sleep,	promote	a	better
complexion,	improve	the	luster	of	your	skin,	increase	longevity,	and	foster	all-
around	body	nourishment. You	may	be	skeptical	that	a	simple	self-massagepractice	can	really	reap	all	those	benefits,	but	as	you	progress	in	your
understanding	of	the	circulation	and	lymphatic	system,	you’ll	surely	realize
these	benefits	and	appreciate	how	anti-aging	
abhyanga
	truly	is. First,	it’s	important	to	learn	more	about	your	skin. Besides	being	a	major
elimination	organ,	your	skin	is	the	largest	organ	of	sensory	perception. Your
skin	takes	in	a	great	deal	of	information	from	the	outside	world	and	is
connected	to	every	part	of	the	body	by	thousands	of	nerves	throughout	your
entire	nervous	system. As	such,	Ayurveda	believes	that	touching	the	outside	of
your	skin	has	a	big	impact	on	your	nervous	system,	while	your	nervous	system
further	impacts	your	endocrine	system	and	immunity. An	imbalanced	nervous
system	can	manifest	in	excessive	worry,	decreased	energy,	imbalanced	digestion,
and	can	eventually	contribute	to	deeper	and	more	plentiful	wrinkles,	as	you
generally	age	at	a	much	faster	rate	when	your	nervous	system	is	imbalanced. Stress	and	toxins	constantly	accumulate	in	the	mind	and	body,	but
thankfully	
abhyanga
	can	help	dissolve	them	on	a	daily	basis. By	manually
working	with	skin,	Ayurveda	claims	you	can	help	bring	yourself	back	to	the
present	moment	and	reduce	excessive	
Vata
	energy,	or	an	overabundance	of	the
air	element	that	can	make	you	feel	flighty,	anxious,	and	ungrounded. In	other
words,	the	sense	of	touch	can	help	settle	your	overactive,	restless	mind	as	it
recharges	and	rejuvenates	you. On	a	physical	level,	according	to	Ayurvedic	texts,	
abhyanga
	prevents	the
accumulation	of	physiological	toxins,	known	as	
ama
,	and	lubricates	muscles,
tissues,	and	joints,	promoting	flexibility. Ancient	Ayurvedic	texts	claim	that	it
also	improves	the	softness	and	luster	of	the	skin. Exercising	or	taking	a	hot
shower	after	practicing	
abhyanga
	helps	the	oil	penetrate	the	dermis,	which
further	nourishes	the	collagen	and	elastin. The	penetration	of	the	oil	into	the
skin	can	also	help	to	remove	toxins	and	debris	while	improving	the	health	of
blood	vessels. For	your	oil,	sesame	oil	is	best	to	use	in	the	winter	because	it	is	considered
warming,	while	coconut	oil	is	considered	cooling	and	therefore	recommended
for	
the	warmer	summer	months. You	can	also	try	special	Ayurvedic	herbal	oils
that	you	can	source	from	a	reputable	Ayurvedic	purveyor	or	find	online,	or
make	your	own	massage	oil. Be	sure	any	oil	you	use	is	organic,	unrefined,	and
cold-pressed. Ideally,	do	your	
abhyanga
	practice	in	the	morning. This	will	help	release	the
toxins	that	have	accumulated	during	the	night	and	rejuvenate	you	for	the	day. To	avoid	slipping,	we	recommend	sitting	on	the	floor	or	a	chair	near	your
shower. Start	by	warming	the	chosen	oil	slightly	by	holding	it	under	hot	water
for	a	few	minutes. Then	apply	some	of	the	warmed	oil	to	your	hands	andmassage	your	entire	body	for	5	to	10	minutes,	applying	even	pressure	with	your
palm	and	fingers. Apply	lighter	pressure	to	sensitive	areas	such	as	your	upper
torso,	breasts,	heart,	and	abdominal	area. When	you	are	massaging	your
abdomen,	start	on	the	right	side	(from	your	perspective	when	looking	down)
and	then	make	a	circular	motion	up,	across,	and	down	the	left	side. This
supports	the	natural	pathway	of	digestion. Spend	a	few	moments	conducting
this	circular	pathway. Next,	take	more	oil	and	spend	time	massaging	the	soles	of	your	feet,	the
palms	of	your	hands,	and	the	base	of	your	fingernails,	where	there	are	many
nerve	endings. Don’t	forget	about	your	face,	ears,	and	neck. Be	sure	to	give
them	some	love,	too! Don’t	worry;	pure,	organic	oils	should	not	make	you
break	out. (If	you	have	excessively	oily	skin	and	are	worried	about	breakouts,
you	can	always	avoid	your	face.) On	days	when	you	are	going	to	wash	your	hair
(which	could	be	one	to	five	times	a	week,	depending	on	your	hair	type),	spend
some	time	massaging	your	entire	scalp. Use	circular	motions	over	rounded
areas	such	as	your	feet	and	scalp	and	straight,	longer	strokes	on	your	limbs. If
you	don’t	have	much	time,	focus	on	your	feet	and	scalp;	Ayurveda	teaches	that
these	are	the	most	important	areas	to	stimulate	with	touch. When	you’re	done,	make	sure	you’ve	rubbed	the	oil	in	as	much	as	possible,
especially	on	your	feet;	be	very	careful	to	rub	in	all	oils	on	the	bottom	of	your
feet	before	attempting	walking	or	showering! It’s	common	to	use	too	much	oil
at	first,	but	you	will	soon	reach	the	right	amount. Towel	off	with	a	fresh	towel. Then	you	can	choose	to	work	out	or	go	straight	into	a	hot	shower. The	heat
from	your	workout	(or	the	shower)	will	help	the	oil	penetrate	transdermally. This	will	strengthen	the	connective	skin	tissues	and	help	your	skin	stay	supple
and	healthily	beautiful. In	the	shower,	only	use	soap	on	your	private	parts	and
underarms. Excessive	use	of	soap	can	strip	your	skin	of	moisture,	and	coconut
and	other	oils	have	antibacterial,	cleansing	properties. If	you	still	feel	oily	or
greasy,	use	a	
natural	soap	sparingly. After	you	towel	off,	you’ll	find	a	thin	film
of	oil	on	your	skin. This	will	help	your	skin	stay	moisturized	and	protected,
while	keeping	your	muscles	warm	throughout	the	day. BEAUTY	SECRET	IN	A	TINY	SEED:	
SESAME	OIL
Coconut	oil	is	all	the	rage	right	now	(and	for	good	reason),	but	sesame	oil	is	another
great	natural,	nongreasy	moisturizing	oil. Don’t	worry;	you	don’t	have	to	smell	like
your	neighborhood	Chinese	take-out	joint. In	fact,	Asian	cooking	oils	are	not	the
right	kind. Pure,	cold-pressed	sesame	oil	is	what	you	want;	it	has	a	mild,	pleasant
scent	and	is	absorbed	readily	into	your	skin. If	you	purchase	sesame	oil	that	has	a
strong	odor,	it’s	probably	roasted	or	toasted	sesame	oil. Unroasted,	cold-pressed
sesame	oil,	on	the	other	hand,	is	highly	lubricating	and	fantastic	for	both	your	skin
and	scalp,	promoting	vitality	and	healthy	hair	growth. Keep	it	refrigerated	exceptfor	the	daily	amounts	you	set	aside	for	your	massage. Sesame	oil	is	highly	nourishing	and	healing	and	contains	vitamin	E	and	B
vitamins,	amino	acids,	and	minerals	such	as	magnesium,	calcium,	and	phosphorus. It	helps	soften	your	skin	and	hair,	keeping	them	
hydrated	by	locking	moisture	in. Sesame	oil	will	effectively	penetrate	deeper	into	the	epidermis	to	moisturize	and
repair	skin,	especially	if	heat	is	applied	after	sesame	oil	application	(as	from	a	hot
shower	after	
abhyanga
). Sesame	oil	is	particularly	protective	against	pollution	and
effective	at	revitalizing	damaged	hair	from	deep	within. DRY	BRUSHING
Like	
abhyanga
,	dry	brushing	is	a	manual	treatment	that	is	great	for	improving
circulation	and	rejuvenating	your	skin. You	can	actually	integrate	dry	brushing
into	your	
abhyanga
	routine	by	dry	brushing	for	just	a	few	minutes	right	before
applying	the	oil	and	starting	the	self-massage. This	heightens	the	benefits	of
abhyanga
	even	more. Like	other	forms	of	sloughing	the	skin	to	exfoliate,	dry	brushing	has	been
practiced	widely	around	the	world,	from	
Japan	to	
Sweden. Manually	working
with	the	skin—our	largest	organ	of	sensory	perception	made	of	multiple	cell
layers,	glands,	and	densely	packed	nerve	cells—has	amazing	whole	body	benefits. It	helps	remove	dead	skin	cells	and	clear	out	clogged	pores,	allowing	your	body
to	eliminate	wastes	and	toxins	more	efficiently. This	also	activates	waste
removal	via	your	lymphatic	system,	draining	wastes	through	your	lymph	nodes
and	lymphatic	drainage. Increasing	circulation	to	your	skin	allows	metabolic
wastes	to	clear	from	your	body	more	efficiently,	making	dry	brushing	a	great
detoxifying	aid. Like	a	light	massage,	dry	brushing	also	provides	some	anti-stress	benefits	and
may	even	help	with	
bloating. Massaging	the	lymph	nodes	can	help	the	body
shed	excess	water	and	toxins,	improving	kidney	function	and	flushing	out	your
system. Dry	skin	brushing	rejuvenates	the	nervous	system	by	stimulating	nerve
endings	in	the	skin,	and	it	feels	pretty	great,	too! (Well,	it	can	feel	a	little	rough
at	first	when	you	are	getting	used	to	it,	but	it	will	leave	you	feeling	revitalized
and	with	a	great	memory	of	the	experience.) Last	but	not	least,	dry	brushing	will
almost	certainly	help	make	your	skin	glow	and	become	tighter. Try	it	for
yourself	and	see	what	kinds	of	benefits	you	experience! To	do	it	yourself,	all	you	need	is	about	2	to	3	minutes	a	day	(ideally	layered
into	your	
abhyanga
	practice)	and	a	long-handled	brush	made	from	dry	bristles,
which	you	can	generally	purchase	for	under	$20	online	or	at	a	health	market. Starting	at	your	feet,	brush	your	skin	in	long	strokes	toward	your	heart. Be	sure
to	brush	your	legs,	arms,	chest,	back,	and	stomach. Avoid	sensitive	areas,	such
as	your	face,	and	be	very	careful	with	delicate	areas	like	varicose	veins	(thoughgentle	dry	brushing	can	be	great	for	flat	spider	veins). Be	firm,	but	don’t	press
too	hard. Your	skin	should	be	pink	when	you’re	done	but	certainly	not	red	or
irritated. Afterward,	be	sure	to	engage	in	your	
abhyanga
	practice	or	apply	a
natural	moisturizer	or	emollient	oil,	such	as	shea	butter	or	coconut	or	sesame
oil. Since	dry	brushing	helps	slough	off	the	dead,	outer	cells,	your	skin	will	be
able	to	
hydrate	more	efficiently	and	absorb	more	moisture. OCEAN	BEAUTY	DETOX	AND	MINERAL	MASK
Kelp	is	seaweed	that	is	rich	in	minerals	and	vitamins. Used	in	a	mask	form,	it	will	draw	impurities	out
of	your	skin	as	it	also	helps	restore	nutrition	to	your	complexion. 2	tablespoons	kelp	powder
½	cup	aloe	vera	gel
2	teaspoons	filtered	water
Combine	the	kelp	and	aloe	vera	in	a	small	bowl. Slowly	mix	in	the	water	until	you	create	a	thick	paste. Apply	to	your	face	and	neck	for	about	15	to	20	minutes. Rinse	well. JUMP	ON	A	
TRAMPOLINE
This	type	of	movement	is	particularly	good	for	increasing	lymph	flow,	as	the
up-and-down	rhythmic	gravitational	force	created	by	bouncing	encourages	the
lymph	system’s	one-way	valves	to	open	and	close. GO	FOR	A	WALK	OR	HIKE
In	addition	to	all	the	other	benefits	of	getting	out	into	nature	(not	to	mention
exercise),	
walking	is	a	great	way	to	help	move	your	lymphatic	system	and
improve	circulation. CLEANSE
Try	a	properly	administered	cleanse,	especially	in	the	springtime. If	well
designed	and	followed,	this	can	be	a	great	way	to	detox	your	whole	system	and
let	your	lymph	system	flush	out	accumulated	wastes	and	toxins. If	you	are
interested,	check	out	Kimberly’s	organic	smoothie	and	juice	company
(
myglowbio. com
)	for	
cleanses	she	designs	that	ship	nationally. WEAR	LOOSE	
CLOTHING
Tight	clothing	can	restrict	your	body’s	natural	circulation,	so	peel	yourself	out
of	your	skinny	jeans	(at	least	part	of	the	time)	and	incorporate	more	flowing
skirts	
and	maxi	dresses	into	your	wardrobe. You’ll	be	more	comfy—and	moredetoxed. After	detoxing	your	lymphatic	system	with	looser	clothes	on	most
days,	you’ll	look	even	better	on	those	nights	when	you	do	want	to	wear	a	tight,
slinky	dress. PRACTICE	
HYDROTHERAPY
If	you’ve	ever	been	to	a	traditional	Korean	spa,	you’ll	find	a	cold	plunge	pool
next	to	a	hot	pool. Experiencing	side-by-side	temperature	shifts	externally	to	the
outer	surface	of	your	skin	(again,	
not
	by	saturating	your	internal	organs	with	icy
liquids!) is	believed	to	be	invigorating	in	some	Eastern	traditions,	as	it	promotes
enhanced	blood	flow	and	great	circulation	throughout	your	whole	body. You
can	do	this	at	home	by	simply	alternating	warm	and	cold	water	in	the	shower. Start	your	shower	with	a	few	minutes	of	warm	water,	and	then	shift	the	dial	for
2	minutes	of	cold	water. Make	it	as	cold	as	you	can	stand	it! Then	continue
alternating,	ending	your	shower	with	cold	water. You	will	feel	refreshed	and
energized,	and	your	hair	will	look	shinier	(on	the	days	you	wash	it). What	an
excellent	way	to	start	the	day—your	skin	will	also	be	glowing	all	over! NERVOUS	SYSTEM	SOOTHING	MASSAGE	OIL
Jojoba	oil	is	a	great	carrier	oil	for	most	essential	oils	because	it	is	easily	absorbed	into	your	skin	and	is
rich	in	vitamin	E.	Neroli	essential	oil	is	a	great	choice	for	this	skin	recipe,	as	research	has	found	neroli
helps	reduce	anxiety	and	improve	sleep	quality. 2
	Besides	its	calming,	grounding	properties,	it	has	a
lovely	sweet	and	spicy	aroma. Combine	½	cup	jojoba	oil	and	40	drops	neroli	essential	oil,	using	it	in	your	
abhyanga
	practice	or	with
just	a	quick,	modified	hand	or	foot	massage	at	the	end	of	the	day—or	whenever	you	feel	you	need
some	soothing.SHIFT	8:
Address	
Specific	Skin	Issues
While	the	ingredients	we	discussed	earlier	will	naturally	boost	your	skin’s	glow
and	vitality,	there	are	some	common	skin	issues	that	respond	well	to	particular
ingredients. In	this	shift,	you’ll	learn	tips	to	overcome	any	issues	that	might	be
plaguing	your	skin. We’ve	also	included	recipes	for	masks	and	tonics	that	were
designed	specifically	for	each	individual	concern. Acne
Acne	is	an	all	too	common	skin	condition	that	can	be	exacerbated	by
impurities	in	your	blood	that	push	out	through	your	skin,	causing	breakouts. Here	are	some	of	the	best	ways	to	cut	down	on	these	impurities	and	create	clear,
radiant	skin:
•
Reduce	consumption	of	oils	in	general	and	high	
fat,	heavy	foods. Excessive
oils	in	the	system	can	aggravate	your	moisture	balance	and	clog	the	pores. •
Incorporate	cumin,	turmeric,	and	ginger	when	cooking	to	boost	digestion
and	help	promote	pure,	healthy	blood. •
Eliminate	dairy	from	your	diet,	which	some	research	has	linked	to	acne. 1
•
Take	an	excellent	probiotic	supplement	(see	
this	page
)	and	an	oxygen-
magnesium	supplement	(such	as	Detoxy	+),	which	is	a	nonlaxative,	non-
habit-forming,	and	nonirritating	internal	cleanser	that	is	free	of	
gluten,
animal	products,	and	corn. Here	are	a	few	good	skin-care	ingredients	to	target	acne:
TEA	TREE	OIL
This	has	antibacterial	and	soothing	properties	and	is	a	great	alternative	to
benzoyl	peroxide,	which	can	be	drying	and	irritating.CLAY
This	is	great,	especially	in	face	masks,	as	it	helps	to	calm	the	skin	and	balance
sebum	production	(see	
this	page
	for	more	details). RADICALLY	CLEAR	SKIN	MASK
The	bentonite	clay	in	this	mask	will	help	draw	out	impurities	in	your	skin	and	balance	oils,	while	raw
honey	has	both	antibacterial	and	antiseptic	properties. 1	tablespoon	water
1	teaspoon	raw,	organic	honey
1½	teaspoons	bentonite	clay
Mix	the	water	with	the	honey	first,	then	stir	in	the	clay	and	mix	well	to	form	a	paste. Apply	to	your
entire	face,	being	careful	to	avoid	contact	with	your	eyes. Leave	on	for	about	20	minutes,	then	rinse
well. Try	using	this	mask	once	or	twice	a	week	for	problematic	skin. ALPHA	HYDROXY	ACIDS	(AHAS)
These	help	to	exfoliate	dead	skin	cells,	prevent	clogged	pores,	and	leave	your
skin	smoother	(see	
this	page
	for	more	details). ACNE-PREVENTING	TONIC
Used	externally,	cranberries	and	oregano	both	have	some	astringent	properties,	which	helps	cleanse
the	skin	and	balance	its	oils. 2	to	3	tablespoons	filtered	water	plus	a	bit	more	as
needed
1	tablespoon	dried	oregano
½	cup	cranberries	(dried	is	okay)
Boil	the	water	and	stir	in	the	oregano. Turn	off	the	heat,	cover,	and	allow	the	oregano	to	steep	for	15
minutes. Strain	and	set	aside. Next,	puree	the	cranberries	in	a	food	processor	or	blender	(adding	a	few
tablespoons	of	filtered	water	as	needed	for	dried	cranberries). Strain	through	a	cheesecloth. Combine
the	cranberry	puree	with	the	oregano	liquid. Soak	a	washcloth	in	the	liquid,	place	it	on	your	face,	and
relax	for	15	minutes. (Listen	to	some	calming	music	so	you	aren’t	tempted	to	move	around!) Rinse
with	warm	water. Bags	Under	the	
Eyes
Poor	drainage	of	fluids	can	contribute	to	puffy,	
baggy	under-eye	circles. It’s
important	to	keep	your	circulation	working	optimally	and	prevent	a	buildup	offluids,	which	can	be	done	by	eating	foods	with	balanced	electrolytes	(essential
minerals	that	affect	your	body-fluid	balance,	among	other	critical	processes)
and	avoiding	too	much	sodium. Bags	under	the	eyes	can	also	mean	you	have	a
buildup	of	impurities	from	sluggish	digestion	or	overtaxed	adrenals,	so	be	sure
to	incorporate	lots	of	lemons	and	lemon	water	to	flush	out	your	system	and	to
supply	your	body	with	vitamin	C.	Before	we	talk	about	some	of	the	remedies
for	the	skin	around	your	eyes,	here	are	some	more	tips	to	avoid	or	improve	the
existence	of	bags	under	your	eyes:
•
Increase	your	rest	and	sleep,	especially	if	you’re	a	woman	on	your	moon,	or
menstrual,	cycle;	a	lack	of	sleep	can	exacerbate	the	visibility	of	under-eye
issues. •
Avoid	(or	at	least	cut	down	as	much	as	possible)	on	
caffeine	and	
alcohol,
which	can	leach	minerals	from	your	system	and	tax	your	adrenals,
contributing	to	under-eye	bags	and	circles. •
Avoid	smoked,	grilled,	or	barbecued	foods,	which	tend	to	be	excessively	high
in	sodium	(as	well	as	nitrosamines,	which	are	considered	carcinogenic). •
Incorporate	coconut	water,	which	helps	balance	electrolytes	such	as
potassium	and	sodium. •
Hydrate	more	in	general,	as	some	research	out	of	
Oxford	University	has
shown	the	appearance	of	the	skin	under	the	eyes	is	linked	to	kidney	health,
2
and	your	kidneys	function	best	in	the	presence	of	abundant	
hydration. •
Make	sure	to	incorporate	banana	into	your	
Glowing	Green	Smoothie	(see
this	page
	for	recipe),	which	is	high	in	B	vitamins	and	potassium;	these	are
great	for	helping	to	keep	your	skin	smooth	and	puffiness	at	bay. •
Cut	out	refined	sugars	and	use	only	stevia	or	raw	coconut	nectar	as	your	go-
to	sweeteners. Unlike	refined	white	or	artificial	sugars,	stevia	and	raw
coconut	nectar	won’t	tax	your	adrenals	and	cause	inflammation,	a	by-
product	of	which	can	be	under-eye	bags	and	puffiness. •
Avoid	consuming	other	foods	with	high	sodium,	such	as	soy	sauce,	close	to
bedtime. This	can	contribute	to	greater	
dehydration	throughout	the	night
and	can	cause	you	to	wake	up	sporting	prominently	pronounced	under-eye
bags. Here	are	a	few	good	skin-care	ingredients	to	target	under-eye	bags:
PeptidesLook	for	this	on	ingredient	lists. They	are	great	for	supporting	healthy	collagen
and	elastin	in	the	structure	of	your	skin,	which	will	help	it	stay	taut	and	less
prone	to	bagginess. Topical	
Coenzyme	Q10
This	can	support	the	amount	of	adenosine	triphosphate	(ATP),	which
transports	chemical	energy	between	skin	cells	for	improved	overall	function
and	enhanced	skin	repair	and	regeneration. BAG-BANISHING	SKIN	TREATMENT
Almond	milk	is	full	of	vitamin	E	and	is	believed	to	be	anti-inflammatory,
3
	while	rose	water	also
possesses	anti-inflammatory	properties	and	is	soothing	to	the	skin,	helping	to	make	it	soft	and
smooth. 1	tablespoon	rose	water
1	tablespoon	cold	almond	milk
Mix	the	two	ingredients	together. Dip	a	washcloth	into	the	mixture	and	place	over	your	eyes	for	10
minutes	in	the	evening	while	you	lie	down	and	relax. Cellulite
Beyond	just	a	simple	accumulation	of	fat,	cellulite	can	involve	the	breakdown
of	collagen	and	the	buildup	of	heavy	metals	and	toxins	in	fat	cells. Many	of	us
believe	that	cellulite	is	something	they	just	have	to	live	with,	and	it’s	true	that
it’s	a	natural	phenomenon	in	at	least	70	percent	of	people,	but	there	are	things
you	can	do	to	cut	down	on	the	appearance	of	it. Here	are	some	of	the	most
effective	methods:
•
Infrared	sauna	sessions	help	penetrate	tissues	and	fat	cells	and	encourage
your	
body	to	let	go	of	heavy	metals	that	can	expand	fat	cells. •
Perform	dry	brushing	(see	
this	page
)	on	a	regular	basis	over	the	cellulite-
infected	areas	to	move	stagnant	lymph. •
Cook	only	with	coconut	oil	and	avoid	cooking	with	vegetable	oils	that
become	rancid	at	higher	temperatures. Rancid	oils	can	be	very	difficult	for
your	body	to	break	down,	so	they	may	contribute	to	excess	storage	in	your
fat	cells	that	can	amplify	the	appearance	of	cellulite. There	is	limited	to	no	scientific	proof	that	cellulite	creams	actually	work,	butif	you	want	to	try	using	a	cream	on	top	of	your	other	efforts,	here	are	a	few
ingredients	to	look	into:
VITAMIN	A
This	has	been	proven	to	thicken	the	uppermost	skin-cell	layer,	thereby	reducing
the	appearance	of	lumpy	cellulite. However,	refer	back	to	
this	page
	for	more
information	on	potential	toxicity	precautions	about	vitamin	A	ingredients. And	if	you	are	trying	to	conceive	or	you’re	pregnant	or	nursing,	it’s	important
to	forgo	vitamin	A	products	altogether. CAFFEINE
Used	topically,	caffeine	can	improve	blood	flow	to	the	skin	and	is	purported	to
help	reduce	the	appearance	of	cellulite. RADICAL	ENZYME	MASK
Pineapple	has	potent	detoxifying	properties	and	contains	bromelain,	a	protein-digesting	enzyme	that
helps	exfoliate	dead	cells	and	debris. It	also	has	anti-inflammatory	properties	and	high	levels	of
vitamin	C.	Papaya	contains	papain,	a	natural	enzyme	that	can	help	to	remove	and	exfoliate	dead	skin
cells,	as	well	as	high	levels	of	beta-carotene	and	vitamin	C.
You	can	try	applying	this	mask	to	cellulite-affected	areas. As	the	enzymes,	beta-carotene,	and	vitamin
C	support	the	collagen	in	those	areas,	they	may	help	minimize	the	appearance	of	the	cellulite	over
time. This	mask	is	also	great	for	your	complexion. Please	note	that	the	enzymes	in	fresh	pineapple	are
“tingly”	and	pretty	potent,	so	if	you	have	sensitive	skin,	be	sure	to	test	a	tiny	area	first	to	see	if	this
mask	irritates	your	skin. ¼	cup	freshly	cut	pineapple
*
¼	cup	freshly	cut	papaya
*
1	teaspoon	cold-pressed	olive	oil
1	teaspoon	arrowroot	flour	(also	known	as	starch),	or
a	little	more,	as	needed
*
Note:
	The	pineapple	and	papaya	must	be	freshly	sliced	from	a	whole	fruit	for	this	mask	to	be
effective. Precut	or	canned	fruit	will	not	work,	as	the	enzymes	will	be	denatured	and	some	or	all	of	the
vitamin	C	might	have	oxidized. Blend	the	pineapple,	papaya,	and	olive	oil	in	a	blender	until	nearly	smooth	(but	do	not	overblend	or
potentially	overheat	the	mixture);	because	it’s	a	small	amount,	you	can	also	mash	the	ingredients	in	a
mortar	and	pestle. Mix	with	the	arrowroot	starch	until	a	thicker	paste	is	achieved. Apply	the	mixture
immediately	to	your	face	and	leave	on	for	15	to	20	minutes	before	rinsing	off. Dry	SkinDry	skin	is	a	common	issue	that	is	often	the	result	of	imbalances	in	your	diet	or
environment. Here	are	a	few	of	the	best	ways	to	keep	your	skin	moisturized	and
glowing. •
Practice	
abhyanga
	regularly	(see	
this	page
)	using	cold-pressed,	unrefined	oils. Be	sure	to	rinse	off	in	the	shower	afterward	before	applying	any	additional
moisturizer. •
Avoid	eating	too	many	dry,	crispy	foods	such	as	crackers,	pretzels,	and	so
on. •
Make	sure	you	are	taking	a	plant-based	
omega-3	
DHA	and	EPA	supplement. •
Incorporate	easily	digested	beauty	
fats	such	as	avocados,	coconut	oil,	and
chia	seeds. Make	sure	you	aren’t	avoiding	fat	altogether! •
Eat	lots	of	sweet,	juicy	fruits	to	
hydrate	your	skin. •
Drink	lots	of	room	temperature	water. •
If	your	home	environment	is	very	dry,	consider	getting	a	humidifier. •
Avoid	very	hot	showers	and	limit	time	in	hot	baths,	which	can	dry	out	your
skin. •
Avoid	drying	cleansers	that	can	strip	your	skin	of	its	natural	moisture
balance,	such	as	ones	that	contain	alcohol. Here	are	a	few	skin-care	ingredients	to	incorporate	for	dry	skin:
HYALURONIC	
ACID
This	is	produced	naturally	in	your	body	and	is	also	found	in	topical	products. It	helps	attract	moisture	and	keeps	your	skin	moisturized	and	hydrated. SHEA	AND	
COCONUT	BUTTERS
These	are	two	examples	of	natural,	plant-based	occlusives	that	create	a	thin	film
over	the	skin,	lock	in	moisture,	and	slow	the	evaporation	of	water	loss	from
your	skin’s	surface,	helping	to	create	a	barrier	against	water	loss.
Radical_Beauty_from_the_inside_out_by_Deepak_Chopra.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        You	can	find	weeds	in	your	backyard	and	at	your	local
farmer’s	market. If	you	are	unsure	of	exactly	what	weeds	you	are	looking	for,	it’s
always	a	better	bet	to	get	them	from	the	market. Purslane,	dandelion	greens,
and	lamb’s-quarter	are	all	particularly	beauty-boosting	weeds. Weeds	are	hearty
plants	that	tend	to	be	especially	high	in	nutrients	and	antioxidants. Purslane	is
an	exceptionally	high	source	of	
omega-3	fatty	acids,	while	dandelion	(also	a
bitter	food)	and	lamb’s-quarter	(which	tastes	like	a	combination	between
spinach	and	Swiss	chard)	contain	large	amounts	of	vitamins	A,	C,	and	K	and
minerals	such	as	calcium,	iron,	manganese,	and	potassium. Incorporating	edible	weeds	for	beauty:
Add	to	smoothies. Lightly	steam	or	sauté. Add	to	soups. MSM-RICH	FOODS
Methy
lsulf
onylm
ethane,	also	known	as	MSM,	has	a	lot	of	health-	and	beauty-
enriching	properties. It	contains	sulfur,	which	helps	with	the	proper
functioning	of	proteins	in	your	
body. MSM	is	revered	for	joint	health	and
helping	to	promote	beautiful	skin. It	has	anti-inflammatory	and	antioxidant
effects	and	is	even	said	to	aid	with	circulation. Some	of	the	richest	natural
sources	of	MSM	include	tomatoes,	raspberries,	apples,	Swiss	chard,	and	alfalfa
sprouts. Incorporating	MSM-rich	foods	for	beauty:
When	they’re	in	season,	snack	on	lots	of	fresh	raspberries	and	apples. Slice	up	tomatoes	and	eat	them	plain. Add	chopped	tomatoes	to	your	soups	or	stews. Blend	Swiss	chard	into	your	smoothies. WHITE	TEA
White	tea	may	be	very	helpful	in	maintaining	your	weight,	and	some	have	even
anecdotally	claimed	that	it	protects	against	
acne. A	series	of	experiments	on
human	fat	cells	(adipocytes)	demonstrate	that	white	tea	can	help	inhibit	new	fat
cells	while	stimulating	the	fat	mobilization	from	mature	fat	cells. 9
	This	may
even	be	useful	in	combating	cellulite. Green	tea	has	received	great	press,	but	it
contains	a	fairly	high	level	of	
caffeine. We	all	know	this	can	feel	temporarily
energizing	but	is	still	irritating	to	your	nervous	system. While	actual	caffeine
levels	depend	on	the	specific	buds	and	brewing	methods	used,	green	tea
generally	contains	more	caffeine	than	white	tea. White	tea	undergoes	less
processing	than	green	or	black	tea,	even	though	they	derive	from	the	same	plant
(
Camellia	sinensis
). Because	it	is	less	processed,	white	tea	also	
contains	more
antioxidants,	which	are	great	for	keeping	your	skin	youthful	and	protecting
your	vitality. Incorporating	white	tea	for	beauty:
Source	some	excellent	organic	white	tea	and	drink	it	during	the	day,	stopping
by	late	afternoon,	as	it	does	contain	some	caffeine. For	added	benefits,
add	some	sliced	ginger,	turmeric,	or	lemon. A	Word	About	
SupplementsYou	certainly	do	not	have	to	take	a	dozen	supplement	pills	every	day	to	be
healthy. And	you	will	never	achieve	the	beauty	and	health	results	you	are	after
by	trying	to	rely	on	pills	in	lieu	of	eating	a	superior,	nutrition-packed	diet	made
up	mostly	of	whole	foods. Unfortunately,	most	supplements	out	there	are
synthetically	created,	which	makes	them	cheaper	to	produce	and	more	stable. The	problem	is	that	with	vitamins,	more	is	most	definitely	
not
	more. Synthetic	vitamins	are	not	remotely	similar	to	the	forms	of	these	nutrients
found	in	nature,	which	you	would	obtain	from	eating	natural	foods. Our
bodies	evolved	for	millions	of	years	getting	these	nutrients	in	unison	with
countless	other	nutritional	cofactors	that	are	present	in	real	food. Vitamin
supplements	may	not	be	bioavailable,	usable,	or	absorbable	by	your	body,	and
even	worse,	they	can	be	recognized	and	treated	as	a	toxin,	which	then	has	to	be
processed	and	expelled	by	your	eliminative	organs. One	study	even	found
synthetic	vitamin	supplementation	can	actually	increase	mortality	rates. 10
One	supplement	that	is	a	must	is	an	excellent	probiotic	supplement,	which	is
not	an	isolated	micronutrient	but	rather	helps	your	entire	body	function	more
efficiently. Remember	that	the	best	probiotics	are	not	necessarily	those	with	the
highest	culture	counts	but	ones	that	have	the	most	effective	and	diverse	strains
that	can	actually	be	assimilated	into	your	body	(please	see	authors’	websites	for
resources	and	recommendations:	
deepakchopra. com
,	
kimberlysnyder. com
). What’s	the	best	way	to	get	the	nutrients	you	need. Be	sure	to	eat	from	a	wide
variety	of	plant	foods,	preferably	organic,	as	the	first	step. You	can	also	source
specific	superfoods	rich	in	certain	vitamins	(bee	pollen	is	rich	in	B	vitamins,	for
instance). If	you	still	are	worried	you	aren’t	eating	as	well	as	you	should,	you
can	also	source	a	high-quality,	whole-food-based	and	nonsynthetic	
multivitamin
or	multimineral	supplement	from	a	reputable	company	that	has	done	the
necessary	work	and	research	to	ensure	optimal	nutritional	absorption. It	should
include	vitamin	D
3
	(which	many	people	do	need	to	supplement,	especially	if
you	aren’t	getting	an	adequate	dosage	of	regular	sunshine)	and	the	spectrum	of
B	vitamins,	including	vitamin	B
12. If	you’re	vegan,	you	should	definitely
supplement	vitamin	B
12. A	magnesium-oxygen	supplement	(such	as	Detoxy	+)	is	great	for	promoting
ongoing	cleansing	(see	
this	page
). As	recommended	in	
Pillar	1
,	be	sure	to
consume	chia,	hemp,	or	flaxseeds	daily	for	daily	
omega-3	fats. An	algae-based
DHA	and	EPA	supplement	can	be	good	insurance,	as	some	people	don’t
convert	omega-3	fats	adequately	into	longer-chain	DHA	fats. Algae	is	the
primary	source	from	which	fish	obtain	their	DHA,	and	scientists	from	
Harvard
and	the	
Cleveland	Clinic	also	report	in	
The	Journal	of	Nutrition
	that	algae-based
DHA	can	boost	levels	of	good	cholesterol	and	cut	levels	of	triglycerides. 11
	Fishoil	pills	as	a	source	of	omega-3	fats	are	not	recommended,	as	they	can	often
become	rancid	and	contaminated	with	toxins. How	Does	
Salt	Fit	In	with	Beauty. Sodium,	found	in	salt,	is	an	element	our	bodies	need	to	function	properly. It
helps	to	control	our	blood	pressure	and	blood	volume,	as	well	as	ensuring
proper	muscle	and	nerve	function. The	best	beauty	forms	of	salt	to	use	are
small	amounts	of	high-quality	sea	salt,	such	as	Celtic	or	Himalayan	sea	salt. These	sea	salts	also	have	trace	minerals	and	elements. Sea	salts	are	obtained
from	the	evaporation	of	saltwater	bodies,	rather	than	the	heavy	processing	that
produces	table	salt;	this	includes	bleaching	and	diluting	the	salt	after	harvesting
with	anticaking	agents	and	other	chemicals. For	these	reasons,	stick	to	sea	salt
in	your	cooking. But	too	much	salt	is	definitely	a	beauty	and	health	no-no. Excessive	salt
intake	can	increase	the	risk	for	
heart	disease,	hypertension,	high	blood	pressure,
and	kidney	disease. It	can	also	make	your	skin	look	dehydrated. Excessive	sodium	can	also	create	“false	fat,”	making	you	look	bloated	and
pounds	heavier	than	you	truly	weigh. An	average	daily	guideline	is	1,000	to	1,500	milligrams	(mg)	of	sodium	per
day	or	less. If	you	are	at	risk	for	a	medical	condition,	such	as	those	listed	above,
you	can	certainly	omit	salt	from	your	cooking	altogether. Most	of	us,
accustomed	to	so	many	processed	and	restaurant	
foods	that	contain	loads	of
sodium,	are	used	to	a	very	salty	flavor. Shifting	into	eating	more	natural	foods
and	preparing	simpler	food	will	help	you	become	more	sensitive	to	the	taste	of
salt. It’s	also	a	good	idea	to	add	sea	salt	to	your	food	right	before	you	eat	it,	so	it
tastes	more	salty	without	using	more	actual	salt. PILLAR	2:
External	Nourishment
Now	that	you	know	how	to	lay	the	foundation	for	your	beauty	with	your	diet,
we	are	going	to	talk	about	the	best	forms	for	the	outer	care	of	your	skin. This
includes	the	safest	and	most	effective	skin-care	products	and	ingredients	as	well
as	self-care	practices	that	will	help	you	grow	strong	nails;	healthy,	shiny	hair;
and	clear,	glowing	skin. Incorporating	superior	inner	and	outer	care	will
nourish	your	whole	body	from	the	outside	in	and	let	your	natural	beauty	shine
through	to	the	highest	degree	possible. In	this	pillar	we’ll	cover	the	best—as	well
as	the	worst—ingredients	and	practices	so	you	can	allow	your	most	beautiful	self
to	be	authentically	reflected. SHIFT	6:
Incorporate	
Natural	Skin-Care
Ingredients
Your	Amazing	Skin
Our	largest	organ,	the	skin,	is	a	fascinating	one. It	is	an	elimination	organ,
meaning	it	helps	dispel	wastes	from	your	body	through	sweat. Your	skin
receives	roughly	a	third	of	all	the	blood	that	is	circulated	throughout	the	body. It	makes	sense	that	if	the	blood	is	congested,	this	is	reflected	in	your	skin. Your
skin	is	the	last	organ	to	receive	nutrition	in	the	body,	yet	is	among	the	first
organs	to	show	signs	of	an	imbalance	or	deficiency. But	skin	does	also	work	in	the	opposite	way,	absorbing	what	is	applied	to	it
on	the	outside. It	is	therefore	critical	to	be	strategic	about	putting	the	best
ingredients	on	the	surface	of	your	skin	to	help	repair	and	support	its	health
from	the	outside	in. This	seems	obvious,	but	there	is	a	great	deal	of	marketing
hype	to	weed	through	to	determine	what	works	and	what	is	merely	an	empty
claim. It’s	also	critical	to	avoid	the	numerous	toxic	ingredients	that	can	be
absorbed	and	not	only	tax	your	skin	but	also	enter	your	bloodstream	and
burden	your	
liver. Your	skin	is	also	influenced	by	your	emotions	and	mental	state. Research
shows	that	stress	can	cause	visible	aging	at	the	cellular	level,	including	a	study
published	in	the	
Proceedings	of	the	National	Academy	of	Sciences. 1
	
Elissa	Epel,	one
of	the	researchers	for	this	study,	states,	“This	is	the	first	time	that	psychological
stress	has	been	linked	to	a	cellular	indicator	of	aging	in	healthy	people. ”
2
Luckily,	many	of	the	techniques	in	this	pillar	will	help	relax	your	mind	and
body	while	nurturing	your	skin	from	the	outside	in. Healthy,	smooth,	and	radiant	skin	is	considered	the	holy	grail	of	beauty. If
you	survey	any	woman	(and	most	men,	even	though	they	might	not	discuss	it	as
openly. ),	you	will	find	that	beautiful	skin	is	at	the	very	top	of	her	beauty	wish
list. Well,	the	time	has	come	for	you	to	get	your	wish. By	working	with	yourskin	and	incorporating	ingredients	into	your	routine	that	will	help	nourish
your	skin,	you’ll	create	an	optimal	environment	for	your	skin	to	grow,	repair,
and	heal	itself. The	result	will	be	skin	that	glows,	reflecting	your	highest	beauty. Natural	vs. Chemical	Ingredients
Some	may	think	that	the	expensive,	scientifically	created,	cutting-edge	products
on	the	market	are	automatically	the	most	effective	choices	out	there,	but	this	is
not	necessarily	the	case. The	antioxidants	found	in	natural	plant	ingredients	are
still	widely	considered	to	be	among	the	most	powerful	skin-care	ingredients,
and	this	is	consistently	proven	in	research. As	
Richard	Baxter,	MD,	of	the	University	of	Washington	
School	of
Medicine,	states,	“There	is	enough	published	work	to	convince	me	that	the
antioxidant	botanicals	will	be	the	next	big	thing	in	skin	care. ”
3
	They	may	be	the
“next	big	thing,”	but	they	have	also	been	around	for	thousands	of	years—much
like	ancient	practices	like	yoga	and	meditation	are	tagged	as	“new	age. ”	(Ironic
and	illogical,	right. ) Synthetic	ingredients	may	have	properties	to	help	boost
your	skin,	but	some	may	tax	your	skin	and	even	be	toxic. 4
	That	toxicity	can	be
absorbed	right	from	your	skin	into	your	system. 5
As	with	your	diet,	the	best	approach	to	skin	care	is	to	understand	the	power
of	nature. Nature’s	beauty	is	unparalleled,	and	if	you	live	closer	to	nature	in	all
aspects	of	your	lifestyle,	your	natural	beauty	will	increase. Choose	nontoxic
products	that	contain	natural,	plant-based	ingredients. As	long	as	they	aren’t
toxic,	scientifically	created	ingredients,	like	concentrated,	isolated	peptides,	that
are	aimed	at	a	specific	purpose	such	as	minimizing	the	appearance	of	fine	lines
and	wrinkles	can	work	together	with	natural	ingredients	to	create	powerful
combinations. Nature	and	science	can	most	certainly	work	together	in	a
balanced	way. Organic	ingredients	are,	by	definition,	pesticide-	and	GMO-free. But	keep	in
mind	that	products	may	contain	some	organic	ingredients	but	may	not	be	
100
percent
	organic	if	other	ingredients	are	processed	in	some	way	to	make	them
usable	or	if	they	are	actually	lab	created. Natural	minerals	such	as	mica	are	not
considered	organic	because	they	are	not	plant	based. Also,	water	and	salts	are
excluded	when	determining	a	product’s	percentage	of	organic	ingredients. This
means	that	some	
great	products	may	be	an	effective	blend	of	nontoxic
ingredients	derived	from	nature	and	science,	but	may	not	be	necessarily	labeled
100	percent	organic. There	are	literally	tens	of	thousands	of	beauty	products	on	the	market,	all
virtually	screaming	at	you	from	store	aisles	with	their	bold,	brightly	coloredpackages. If	you	glance	at	magazines,	you’ll	see	the	latest,	hottest	new	skin-care
ingredients	pop	up	every	month. It	can	be	very	confusing	to	determine	the	
best
(and	worse)	choices	for	your	skin. HOW	TO	READ	SKIN-CARE	PRODUCT	LABELS	(IT’S	NOT	WHAT	YOU’VE	HEARD)
The	FDA	requires	that	ingredients	be	listed	in	
INCI	(International	Nomenclature	of
Cosmetic	Ingredients)	language. These	labels	often	are	not	easily	read	and	usually
contain	long	words	and	names. An	overly	simplified	and	false	statement	you	hear	a
lot	is	that	if	you	can’t	pronounce	it,	you	should	not	eat	it	or	use	it	on	your	skin. But	if
you	look	at	the	INCI	language	required	for	a	natural	ingredient	like	shea	butter,	you
would	see	
Butyrospermum	parkii
,	and	for	avocado	you	would	see	
Persea
gratissima. These	hard-to-pronounce	words	(which	are	the	binomial	plant	names)
would	scare	anyone	who	tried	to	follow	this	rule. If	you	are	unsure	of	an	ingredient
or	INCI	language	name,	you	can	search	the	INCI	directory. Best	Radical	Beauty	Skin-Care	Ingredients
Despite	the	“breakthrough”	ingredients	that	are	constantly	being	introduced	by
skin-care	companies,	there	are	some	important	staples	that	should	be	included
in	your	external	beauty	skin-care	routine. Over	time,	these	have	held	up	as
being	the	most	effective,	from	both	a	clinical	research	and	an	anecdotal	point
of	view. They	are	among	the	most	important	beauty	ingredients	to	include	in
your	personal	external	skin-care	beauty	arsenal. Antioxidants
Unless	you	haven’t	opened	a	beauty	or	health	magazine	in	the	last	two	decades,
you	have	surely	heard	of	antioxidants. Antioxidants,	naturally	present	in	most
plant	foods	in	varying	degrees,	can	help	counter	skin-aging	free	radicals	and
prevent	damaged	skin	cells. This	means	slowing	down	those	pesky	skin	issues
we	all	want	to	avoid,	such	as	wrinkles,	dry	or	dull	skin,	dark	under-eye	circles,
and	crow’s	feet. You’ll	find	a	very	wide	range	of	antioxidants	and	corresponding	plant
ingredients	touted	in	various	skin-care	products. These	can	range	from	coffee
berry	to	acai	and	a	range	of	other	berries	and	fruits. Some	of	the	most	powerful
antioxidant	ingredients	are	listed	below. Vitamin	C
Vitamin	C	is	so	powerful	and	produces	such	great	results	that	no	skin-care
routine	should	be	without	it. It’s	present	in	many	fruits	and	vegetables	and	is
added	into	skin-care	products	in	a	concentrated	form. Vitamin	C	has	long	beenconsidered	a	workhorse	ingredient,	and	its	effectiveness	has	been	backed	up	by
clinical	research. 6
	It	increases	collagen	production,	which	creates	firm,
beautiful,	and	thicker	skin	over	time,	helps	to	keep	skin	
hydrated,	and
diminishes	fine	lines	and	wrinkles. As	an	antioxidant	vitamin,	it	helps	squash
skin	damage	caused	by	unstable	free	radicals	and	sun	exposure
7
	and	also	boosts
the	efficacy	of	
vitamin	E. On	a	label,	concentrated	forms	of	vitamin	C	often
read	as	L-ascorbic	acid. Vitamin	E
Vitamin	E,	made	up	of	tocopherols	and	tocotrienols,	is	another	great
antioxidant	vitamin	that	is	highly	protective	of	your	cells	and	helps	your	skin
retain	moisture	to	stay	supple	and	beautiful. Vitamin	E	also	helps	reverse
existing	damage	to	your	skin,	including	scarring	from	
acne	and	blemishes	and
age	spots. Used	in	a	skin-care	product	formulation,	vitamin	E	also	helps
stabilize	other	ingredients	as	well	as	oils,	preventing	them	from	going	rancid. Tocopherol	acetate	is	an	artificial	form	of	vitamin	E	that	is	often	seen	on
product	labels. It’s	made	from	a	combination	of	naturally	derived	vitamin	E
and	other	chemical	compounds,	such	as	acetic	acid. The	natural	vitamin	E	is
generally	considered	preferable. Vitamin	A	and	Its	Derivatives
There	has	been	a	lot	of	research	on	this	ingredient	dating	back	to	the	1980s,
proving	it	to	be	a	highly	effective	anti-aging	treatment. It	helps	improve	cell
communication,	in	effect	“telling”	your	skin	cells	to	correct	themselves. This
improves	the	look	of	wrinkles	and	promotes	firmness	so	your	skin	appears
more	healthy	and	youthful. Vitamin	A	is	the	precursor	to	retinoids,	which	can
be	applied	topically	or	ingested;	they	cannot	be	made	in	the	human	body. These
retinoids,	or	retinoic	acids,	come	in	various	forms,	including	retinol,	
retinyl
palmitate,	tretinoin,	and	tazarotene. Some	of	these	require	a	prescription,	while
retinol	and	retinyl	palmitate	can	be	found	in	various	over-the-counter	products. This	category	of	ingredients	has	been	shown	to	help	promote	smoother	skin
and	overall	brighter	skin	tone,	while	reversing	discoloration	and	repairing
cellular	structure	damage,	such	as	scars,	lines	and	wrinkles,	and	even	
acne. This	is	all	great,	but—and	there’s	a	big	“but”	here—retinoids	are	considered	by
some	to	be	toxic. This	is	largely	due	to	their	ability	to	make	you	more	sensitive
to	sunlight	and	because	of	pregnancy	concerns. The	
Environmental	Working
Group	states,	“Data	from	an	FDA	study	indicate	that	retinyl	palmitate,	when
applied	to	the	skin	in	the	presence	of	sunlight,	may	speed	the	development	of
skin	tumors	and	lesions. The	FDA	and	Norwegian	and	German	health	agencieshave	raised	a	concern	that	daily	skin	application	of	vitamin	A	creams	may
contribute	to	excessive	vitamin	A	intake	for	pregnant	women	and	other
populations. ”
8
Retinoids	can	also	be	irritating	and	intolerable,	so	be	sure	to	check	with	your
dermatologist	and	evaluate	whether	or	not	retinoids	in	any	form	are	right	for
you. They	are	considered	a	highly	effective	ingredient,	but	from	a	toxicity
standpoint	they	are	not	completely	in	the	clear. Again,	evaluate	for	yourself	and
see	what	is	right	for	you	and	your	skin. If	you	do	choose	to	go	this	route	and
use	some	vitamin	A	derivatives,	be	sure	to	use	strong	protection	from	the	sun
or	avoid	sunlight	altogether. And	remember	that	all	women	trying	to	conceive
or	who	are	pregnant	must	completely	avoid	retinoids. Alpha	Hydroxy	Acids	(AHAs)
Exfoliation	helps	your	skin	shed	old,	damaged	surface	skin	cells	to	allow	new,
fresh	cells	to	grow	in	their	place. If	you	don’t	slough	old	cells,	it’s	harder	for
your	body	to	absorb	the	ingredients	from	your	skin-care	products;	they	will
more	likely	just	sit	on	the	surface	of	the	older,	dead	skin	cells	and	not	do	you
any	real	
good. What	a	waste. This	is	similar	to	the	concept	of	internal
detoxification. You	have	to	make	space	for	the	new	raw	materials	to	come	in
and	be	absorbed	and	assimilated	so	they	can	be	used	to	fuel	your	beauty. AHAs	exfoliate	without	scrubbing	with	physically	dense	abrasives	such	as
grains,	granules,	apricot	pits,	and	the	like,	which	can	lead	to	broken	capillaries
and	damaged	pores. However,	if	your	skin	is	dark	or	particularly	sensitive,	be
very	careful	to	avoid	irritation. There	are	various	kinds	of	AHAs	and	different
strengths	to	choose	from,	including	malic,	mandelic,	lactic,	and	glycolic	acids. The	mandelic	and	malic	acids	tend	to	be	much	safer	for	dark	skin,	though	be
sure	to	ask	your	dermatologist	if	you	are	unsure	which	AHAs	are	right	for	your
skin,	and	ask	what	strength	to	use. AHAs	can	also	make	your	skin	more
sensitive	to	sunlight,	so	be	sure	to	protect	yourself	properly. Green	Tea
Green	tea	is	a	fantastic	ingredient	to	include	in	your	skin-care	routine	due	to	its
polyphenols,	a	type	of	flavonoid	that	enacts	powerful	antioxidant	activity. Topically	applied,	green	tea	can	help	reduce	inflammation	in	your	skin,	thereby
preventing	or	slowing	the	formation	of	lines	and	wrinkles	and	reducing	sagging
skin. Some	studies	have	shown	that	green	tea	can	also	reduce	damage	from
environmental	pollution	and	sun	damage. 9
PeptidesPeptides	are	protein	fragments	that	have	been	shown	to	have	some	beneficial
effects	on	skin. In	particular,	they	help	heal	damaged	tissue	from	scars	and
wrinkles	and	stimulate	the	production	of	healthy	normal	skin. Some	research
has	shown	that	peptides	can	help	enhance	cell	communication,
10
	regulating	the
exchange	and	growth	rates	between	layers	of	skin	cells. Peptides	can	also	prevent
harmful	oxidation	that	damages	the	skin,	and	they	have	
anti-inflammatory
properties	that	can	better	set	up	your	skin	to	heal	itself. Essential	Fatty	Acids	(EFAs)
EFAs	reduce	the	amount	of	moisture	lost	through	your	epidermis,	the	top	layer
of	your	skin,	thereby	keeping	your	skin	soft	and	elastic	instead	of	dried	out. They	are	particularly	protective	in	cold	or	windy	weather,	which	can	strip	away
the	skin’s	lipid	barrier	and	contribute	to	skin	conditions	such	as	eczema. The
anti-inflammatory	properties	of	these	essential	fats	are	also	helpful	for	eczema
and	psoriasis,	and	in	preventing	inflammation	that	can	contribute	to	aging. There	are	many	natural	sources	for	these	essential	fatty	acids,	such	as	shea
butter,	kukui	nut,	jojoba,	rosehip,	sesame	seed,	black	currant,	evening	primrose,
camellia	seed,	almond,	apricot	kernel,	argan,	hemp	seed,	manuka,	kokum,
pumpkin	seed,	olive,	black	cumin	seed,	coconut,	sea	buckthorn,	avocado,
borage,	tamanu,	and	walnut	oils. Hyaluronic	Acid	(HA)
The	body	uses	hyaluronic	acid	to	make	new	cells,	and	it	is	a	natural	compound
found	in	the	skin. As	we	age,	we	produce	less	of	this	acid,	so	adding	it	back
helps	repair	the	skin	and	reduce	inflammation. As	a	skin-care	product
ingredient,	it	helps	not	only	to	deliver	moisture	to	the	skin	but	also	to	hold	it
there,	preventing	moisture	loss	for	continued	smooth	skin	while	protecting	the
skin	from	dirt,	debris,	and	pollutants. It	doesn’t	penetrate	too	deeply,	staying
near	the	surface	of	your	skin. Hyaluronic	acid	was	once	produced	largely	from
the	comb	of	a	rooster,	but	thankfully	it	is	now	produced	in	a	lab	from	a
fermentation	process	that	involves	plant	materials. Clay
There	are	different	kinds	of	clays,	which	are	a	highly	beneficial	ingredient	to
include	in	skin	masks. Sometimes	masks	are	pushed	to	the	side	in	a	skin-care
routine,	but	applying	masks	is	an	ancient	beauty	tool	that	can	be	very	beneficial
to	use	at	least	once	a	week	(depending	on	your	skin	type)	to	help	you	maintain
beautiful	skin	for	the	long-term. Clay	is	a	unique	ingredient	with	the	ability	to	absorb	excess	oils,	dirt,	andharmful	toxins	from	the	skin. Clays	are	made	up	of	different	mineral	contents,
which	are	unique	to	different	types	of	clays,	and	these	minerals	help	rejuvenate
the	skin	as	the	clay	simultaneously	exfoliates	and	stimulates	blood	circulation
to	the	skin. The	more	regularly	you	use	clays,	the	fresher	your	skin	will	look. Improved	circulation	and	the	removal	of	debris	from	your	pores	instantly
improve	the	brightness	of	your	skin. Rose	clay	is	mild	kaolin	clay	that	is	great	for	normal	to	dry	skin	and	gently
helps	cleanse,	exfoliate,	and	improve	skin’s	condition. It	gets	its	delicate	pink
color	from	the	iron	oxides	it	contains. White	clay,	also	known	as	China	clay,	is
basically	kaolinite	and	is	the	mildest	of	all	clays. It	helps	stimulate	circulation
to	the	skin	while	gently	exfoliating	and	cleansing. French	green	clay	consists
mostly	of	montmorillonite	and	is	highly	efficient	at	drawing	oils	and	toxins
from	the	skin. It	also	helps	nourish	the	skin	with	minerals	and	phytonutrients. It	is	great	for	oily	skin	and	is	commonly	included	in	spa	body	wraps. It’s	not
recommended	for	sensitive	or	dry	skin. Yellow	kaolin	clay	is	mild	and
stimulates	circulation	to	the	skin;	it	is	suitable	for	use	on	sensitive	skin	as	well
as	dry	skin. ANCIENT	BEAUTY	INGREDIENT:	
ROSE	WATER
Roses	are	one	of	the	most	universally	revered	flowers	for	their	beauty	and	sweet
fragrance,	but	what	can	they	do	for	your	skin. In	
ancient	Rome,	rose	water	was
allegedly	used	as	a	cleanser. Some	even	bathed	in	it. Rose	water	has	also	been	a
part	of	
Indian	skin	care	for	millennia. Just	like	natural	foods,	natural	skin-care
ingredients	can	impart	their	beautifying	properties	onto	you. Pure,	true	rose	water
is	created	from	steam	distillation	of	damask	rose	petals. It	smells	delicate	and
delicious	and	nothing	like	the	synthetic	and	sickeningly	strong	fragrances	that	are
used	in	toxic	sprays	and	car	air	fresheners. Rose	water	is	said	to	have	some	antibacterial	and	antiseptic	properties	and	is
believed	to	help	restore	the	skin’s	pH	levels	and	tighten	pores. It’s	also	considered
to	be	anti-inflammatory	and	to	help	regenerate	skin	tissue. The	sugars	and	natural
oils	found	in	rose	petals	trap	moisture	in	your	skin,	making	your	skin	look	smoother
and	softer—just	like	the	beautiful	rose	petals	themselves. Plus	rose	water’s	natural
fragrance	can	help	soothe	your	nervous	system. This	will	help	destress	you,
another	key	factor	in	keeping	your	skin	youthful	and	healthy. Try	to	find	some	pure	rose	water	at	a	health	store	and	add	a	few	drops	to	your
cleanser	or	moisturizer. You	can	also	try	using	it	as	a	toner,	either	pure	or	mixed
with	a	bit	of	witch	hazel,	gently	brushing	it	over	your	skin	with	a	cotton	pad	after
cleansing. Bentonite	clay	is	derived	from	deposits	of	weathered	volcanic	ash. It	absorbs
toxins	such	as	heavy	metals	and	other	pollutants	from	the	surface	of	your	skin
like	a	kitchen	sponge. There	is	also	an	electrical	aspect	to	bentonite	clay’s	abilityto	bind	and	absorb	toxins. Bentonite	clay	has	a	negative	electrical	charge,
attracting	positively	charged	molecules. As	most	toxins	are	positively	charged,
clay	naturally	rids	the	body	of	toxins	as	it	pulls	and	holds	the	toxins	in	its
core. 11
Cosmetics	Safety:	Critical	for	Your	Overall	Beauty
Just	because	a	cosmetic	is	sitting	innocuously	on	the	shelf	at	your	local
pharmacy,	there’s	no	guarantee	that	it	is	safe	and	will	not	have	toxic
ramifications	on	your	body. The	US	
Food	and	Drug	Administration	(FDA)	has
no	authority	to	require	companies	to	test	cosmetic	products	for	safety,	and
most	products	and	ingredients	are	not	approved	or	reviewed	before	they	are
placed	on	shelves. The	FDA	conducts	premarket	reviews	only	of	certain
cosmetics’	color	additives	and	active	ingredients	that	are	classified	as	over-the-
counter	drugs. 12
,
13
	It	also	has	no	authority	to	require	recalls	of	harmful
cosmetics,	and	manufacturers	are	not	required	to	report	cosmetics-related
injuries	to	the	agency. The	FDA	relies	on	companies	to	report	injuries
voluntarily
14
	(yes,	you	read	that	right—
voluntarily. ). Cosmetics	in	the	
European	Union	are	far	more	strictly	regulated. There,	over
1,000	ingredients	have	been	banned	from	use. In	contrast,	the	FDA	has	only
prohibited	a	fraction	of	those	ingredients,	including	some	color	additives	and
other	prohibited	substances. 15
	Another	scary	fact	is	that	federal	law	allows
companies	to	leave	some	chemical	ingredients	off	their	product	labels,
including	those	considered	to	be	trade	secrets	and	some	components	of
fragrance	and	nanomaterials. 16
Since	the	FDA	does	not	play	a	big	role	in	regulating	the	safety	of	ingredients,
it	has	authorized	the	cosmetics	industry	to	police	itself	with	the	Cosmetic
Ingredient	Review	panel. To	date,	in	its	thirty-plus-year	history,	the	industry
panel	has	declared	only	eleven	ingredients	or	chemical	groups	to	be	unsafe,
17
and	its	recommendations	on	restricting	ingredients	are	not	binding	on
companies. 18
	So	it	doesn’t	sound	like	much	real	“policing”	is	going	on. Where
does	that	leave	us,	as	consumers. Ingredients	from	cosmetics	not	only	are	absorbed	through	the	skin	but	are
also	often	swallowed	and	inhaled	from	sprays	and	powders. Many	of	them	are
hormone	disruptors	that	can	create	developmental	and	reproductive	damage
and	allergic	reactions,	act	as	carcinogens,	and	create	other	kinds	of	damage	in
the	body. 19
,
20
	It’s	ultra-important	to	understand	labels	and	ingredients,	as	the
FDA	says	that	descriptions	such	as	“hypoallergenic”	or	“natural”	can	“meananything	or	nothing	at	all. ”
21
	Don’t	assume	that	companies	or	any	prevailing
organizations—governmental	or	otherwise—are	necessarily	looking	out	for	your
best	interests. It’s	important	to	scan	labels	and	look	into	the	ethos	of	brands
that	you	choose	to	use	in	and	on	your	body. Ultimately,	we	have	to	look	out	for
our	families	and	ourselves	and	not	leave	our	safety	in	the	hands	of	anyone	else. Toxic	
Skin-Care	Ingredients	to	Avoid
There	are	countless	toxins	and	additives	in	commercial	skin-care,	makeup,
body-care,	and	other	personal-care	products. It	would	fill	this	entire	book	(and
more)	to	list	and	describe	them	all. But	there	are	some	common	offenders	that
are	worse	than	others. For	more	information,	the	
Campaign	for	Safe	Cosmetics
(
safecosmetics. org/
)	and	the	Environmental	Working	Group	Skin	Deep
Cosmetics	Database	(
ewg. org/
skindeep/
)	are	two	great	resources	to	consult
about	the	toxicity	of	specific	products	and	ingredients. These	organizations,	as
well	as	certain	reports,	believe	that	toxic	ingredients	can	create	DNA	damage;
act	as	carcinogens;	create	brain,	liver,	kidney,	and	other	organ	abnormalities;
produce	allergic	or	other	reactions;	and	cause	eye	damage,	nervous	system
damage,	reproductive	damage,	and	birth	defects. 22
	The	list	of	these	possible
dangers	continues	to	grow	as	more	chemicals	are	introduced	and	studied. Here	are	some	of	the	most	glaringly	
toxic	ingredients	to	avoid. Again,	this	is
like	a	drop	in	the	ocean,	
not
	an	exhaustive	list:
•
Benzoyl	peroxide
•
Synthetic	(or	artificial)	FD&C	colors	and	dyes
•
Propylene	glycol	(PG)	and	butylene	glycol
•
Diethanolamine	(DEA),	
monoethanolamine	(MEA),	and	
triethanolamine
(TEA)
•
Methyl-,	butyl-,	ethyl-,	and	propylparabens
•
Sodium	lauryl	sulfate	(SLS)	and	sodium	laureth	sulfate	(SLES)
•
Dioxin
•
Polyethylene	glycol	(PEG)
•
Avobenzone
•
Phthalates
•
Triclosan•
DMDM	hydantoin	and	
imidazolidinyl	urea
RADICALLY	TIMELESS	BEAUTY	MASK
This	nourishing	mask	will	leave	your	skin	feeling	moisturized,	smooth,	and	radiant. Used	regularly,	it
can	help	ward	off	wrinkles	and	puffiness. These	ingredients	are	rich	in	nourishing	enzymes,	vitamin
E,	and	beauty	fats	and	oils. 1	tablespoon	raw,	organic	honey
1	teaspoon	almond	oil
1	teaspoon	rose	water
Combine	the	ingredients	in	a	small	bowl. Apply	to	your	face	and	neck	for	about	15	to	20	minutes. Rinse	well. Sunscreen	Ingredients:	Wading	Through	the
Toxic	and	the	Safe
It’s	well	established	that	sunscreen	can	help	protect	against	skin	
cancers	and	sun
damage. The	risk	isn’t	entirely	related	to	how	much	sun	hits	your	unprotected
skin,	since	exposure	when	you	were	a	child	can	lead	to	a	higher	risk	of	skin
cancer	as	an	adult,	and	the	exposure	doesn’t	need	to	be	drastic. The	best	rule,
however,	is	to	protect	yourself	from	the	sun’s	ultraviolet	(UV)	radiation	as
much	as	you	can. Best	medical	advice	also	holds	that	you	use	a	higher	sunblock
number. Simple	measures	like	wearing	a	sun	hat	with	a	wide	brim	help	remove
the	burden	from	sunblocks,	along	with	sitting	in	the	shade	and	wearing
sunglasses	that	are	UV	resistant. Also	be	aware	that	there	are	a	multitude	of	toxic	ingredients	in	most
sunscreens. When	choosing	a	sunscreen,	look	for	products	with	the	active
ingredient	
zinc	oxide	or	titanium	dioxide. These	are	physical	protectants,	which
reflect	UV	rays	off	your	skin,	rather	than	chemical	products. Here	are	some	toxic	skin-care	ingredients	to	look	out	for	and	avoid. OXYBENZONE	(AKA	BENZOPHENONE-3)
While	the	
American	Academy	of	Dermatology	says	oxybenzone	is	safe,	the
Environmental	Working	Group	(EWG)	and	other	toxicology	experts	believe
that	oxybenzone	is	linked	to	hormone	disruption	and	potentially	to	cell
damage	that	may	lead	to	skin	
cancer. 23
	Some	studies	have	linked	oxybenzone
use	in	pregnant	women	to	low	birth	weight,
24
	which	can	lead	to	serious	health
problems	later	in	life;	it	also	may	impact	the	adrenal	system
25
	and	may	alsoreduce	testosterone	levels	in	men. 26
NANOPARTICLES
These	are	extremely	tiny	particles	added	to	sunscreen	that	are	easily	absorbed	by
the	skin. About	100,000	times	smaller	than	the	width	of	a	human	hair,	these
tiny	particles	can	penetrate	the	blood-brain	barrier,	leading	to	damage	or
genetic	changes	in	the	brain	cells. 27
	Be	sure	that	the	ingredients	on	your
sunscreen	are	in	a	non-nano	form. This	even	goes	for	safer	sunscreen
ingredients	such	as	zinc	oxide	and	titanium	dioxide,	as	micronized	titanium
dioxide	has	been	associated	with	cellular	damage. 28
RETINYL	PALMITATE
In	a	
National	Toxicology	Program	study	on	lab	animals,	it	was	found	that	when
skin	is	treated	with	a	mix	of	retinyl	palmitate	(RP),	a	vitamin	A	derivative,	and
skin	cream	and	exposed	to	ultraviolet	light,	the	cream	with	retinyl	palmitate
stimulated	lesion	and	tumor	growth. 29
	As	discussed	earlier,	while	vitamin	A
may	be	considered	a	wonderful	skin-care	ingredient	in	its	natural	state,	it
should	be	restricted	to	night	creams	for	those	that	choose	to	use	it—and	never
used	in	sunscreen. OCTYL	METHOXYCINNAMATE	(AKA	
OCTINOXATE,	
EUSOLEX	2292,
AND	
UVINUL	MC80)
This	is	an	ingredient	that	is	believed	to	create	free	radicals	inside	the	skin,
which	can	create	cellular	and	DNA	damage. Similar	to	
oxybenzone,	it	works
with	other	penetration	enhancers	to	enter	through	the	skin	and	accumulate	in
the	body. It	has	the	potential	to	possibly	create	phototoxic	effects,	meaning	that
toxic	reactions	are	provoked	by	light. 30
PADIMATE	O	(AKA	PARA-AMINOBENZOIC	ACID,	OR	
PABA)
Because	this	can	be	very	irritating	to	the	skin,	it	has	largely	been	phased	out	of
most	sunscreens. But	it’s	worth	looking	out	for,	just	in	case	it’s	still	lurking
around	in	some	brands. According	to	the	EWG,	PABA	can	release	free	radicals,
create	allergic	reactions,	damage	DNA,	and	induce	estrogenic	activity;	and	they
implicated	padimate	O	as	a	nitrosamine,	a	class	of	compounds	that	may	be
carcinogenic. 31
SOLAR	BEAUTY	SMOOTHER	TREATMENTAlmond,	argan,	and	olive	oils	are	particularly	good	for	replenishing	the	moisture	in	dry	skin	and
contain	vitamin	E	and	nourishing	minerals. Sweet	orange	oil	is	believed	to	be	particularly	effective	in
helping	rejuvenate	and	revitalize	the	skin	against	sun	damage. 2	teaspoons	almond	oil
1	teaspoon	argan	or	avocado	oil
8	drops	sweet	orange	essential	oil
Combine	all	ingredients	until	mixed	well. Rub	onto	sun-exposed	areas,	reapplying	two	or	three	times
per	day. For	a	firmer,	more	cream-like	consistency,	store	in	a	glass	or	BPA-free	container	in	the
refrigerator. Beautiful	Underarms:	Toxic	Versus	Safe
Deodorants	and	Antiperspirants
One	beautiful	way	your	body	was	designed	for	detoxification	is	to	allow	wastes
to	evaporate	through	the	pores	of	your	skin. A	key	area	where	your	body
detoxes	itself	is	under	your	arms,	where	sweat	glands	and	lymph	nodes	are
located. The	modern	concept	of	using	antiperspirants	to	stop	your	underarms
from	sweating	can	hold	toxicity	in. This	is	not	natural	or	recommended. Clogging	your	body’s	normal	channels	for	waste	removal	is	not	a	good	idea. You	can	wipe	or	cleanse	your	underarms	during	the	day	if	you	are	concerned
about	excessive	moisture,	and	there	are	natural	solutions	to	prevent	underarm
odor. Keep	in	mind	that	as	you	clean	up	your	diet	and	improve	your	digestion
and	the	elimination	of	wastes	in	your	system,	your	level	of	offensive	bodily
odors	may	naturally	decrease. But	you	will	probably	still	want	to	use	something
to	ensure	that	you	always	smell	fresh	and	clean. When	you	do,	it’s	important	to
choose	your	deodorant	wisely. Commercial	deodorants	contain	some
potentially	toxic	materials	that	you	should	try	to	avoid. Some	of	these
ingredients	include	aluminum,	parabens,	propylene	glycol,	triclosan,	TEA,
DEA,	FD&C,	phthalates,	and	talc. Aluminum	has	been	linked	to	Alzheimer’s,	
cancer,	and	allergic	reactions. Some	people	dispute	the	link	between	the	type	of	aluminum	used	in
deodorants	and	these	diseases,
32
	but	others	believe	it	is	worth	avoiding. Some
have	suggested	that	aluminum-based	compounds	in	antiperspirants	may	be
absorbed	through	the	skin	and	can	be	a	health	risk	factor,	though	much	more
research	is	needed	to	show	a	definite	link. With	all	the	alternatives	out	there
nowadays	in	various	deodorants,	you	can	certainly	avoid	aluminum	if	you
choose. Parabens	mimic	the	activity	of	estrogen	in	the	body. Since	estrogen	promotesthe	growth	of	breast	cancer	cells,	and	a	woman	is	eight	times	more	likely	to
develop	breast	cancer	in	the	part	of	the	breast	closest	to	the	underarm,	scientists
are	studying	the	connection,	though	further	studies	and	research	are	needed. RADICALLY	SAFE	DEODORANT
It	is	easy	to	make	your	own	deodorant	that	is	safe	and	effective	in	eliminating	unpleasant	underarm
odor. The	coconut	oil	and	baking	soda	in	this	DIY	version	both	have	antibacterial	properties	and	help
prevent	odor,	while	the	grapefruit	extract	smells	bright	and	fresh	and	has	antibacterial	and	antiseptic
qualities	as	well. The	arrowroot	starch	helps	thicken	your	deodorant	into	a	somewhat	solid	form	that
is	easy	to	apply. 3	tablespoons	coconut	oil
3	tablespoons	baking	soda
40	(or	so)	drops	grapefruit	extract
1½	tablespoons	arrowroot	starch
In	a	bowl,	mix	together	all	the	ingredients	until	well	combined	into	a	thick,	paste-like	consistency. Store	in	the	refrigerator	for	20	to	30	minutes	to	let	the	coconut	oil	resolidify	if	it	liquefied	during	the
mixing	process. Place	the	mixture	into	a	small	glass	or	BPA-free	container. Dip	your	fingers	into	the
mixture	and	apply	it	directly	to	your	underarms. To	keep	your	deodorant	solid,	be	sure	to	store	it	in	a
cool	place,	but	even	if	it	liquefies	a	bit,	it	will	still	work	just	as	well. SHIFT	7:
Practices	to	Nourish	Your	Skin	from
the	Outside	In
In	
Pillar	1
,	you	learned	to	boost	your	beauty	from	the	inside	out	by	eating
foods	with	unique	properties	that	help	boost	
circulation	and	support	your
body’s	natural	processes. Many	people	don’t	realize	that	in	addition	to	using
the	right	skin-care	products,	there	are	also	many	things	you	can	do	to	improve
the	body’s	functions	from	the	outside	in. Supporting	Your	Lymphatic	Circulation	for
Enhanced	Detoxification	and	Slowed	Aging
Most	people	don’t	think	about	it	that	much,	but	we	have	a	second	circulatory
system	devoted	to	healing	and	immunity	known	as	the	
lymphatic	system. Composed	of	your	spleen,	thymus,	lymph,	lymph	nodes,	and	lymph	channels
as	well	as	your	tonsils	and	adenoids,	your	lymphatic	system	works	directly	with
your	cardiovascular	circulatory	system	to	keep	blood	and	lymphatic	fluid	levels
in	balance	and	flush	toxins	out	of	the	body. Fluid	squeezed	from	the	blood,
called	interstitial	fluid	or	“lymph,”	transports	waste	to	your	lymph	nodes
through	a	series	of	vessels	similar	to	veins. There,	the	fluid	is	neutralized,
filtered,	and	eventually	returned	to	the	bloodstream. These	vessels	also	carry
immune	cells	throughout	the	body	to	help	defend	against	infections. Called	
rasa
	in	
Ayurveda,	your	lymph	is	part	of	the	plasma	that	is	considered
part	of	the	primary	
dhatu
,	or	structure	of	the	body. Healthy	
rasa
	is	key	in	order
to	give	rise	to	the	next	
dhatu
,	healthy	
rakta
,	or	blood,	and	consequently	the
other	
dhatus
	in	the	body. Rasa
	is	said	to	govern	your	emotional	and	hunger
responses,	which	is	another	good	reason	to	keep	it	flowing. Unlike	the	cardiovascular	system,	the	heart	does	not	pump	the	lymphatic
system,	which	is	basically	self-circulating. Gravity,	muscle	contractions,	and
certain	forms	of	movement	and	manipulation	stimulate	this	system. If	yourlymphatic	circulation	gets	sluggish,	toxins	build	up,	which	is	the	precursor	to
accelerated	aging. 1
	Aches	and	pains	can	also	appear,	and	your	immunity	is
lowered. This	can	adversely	affect	your	thymus	gland,	tonsils,	and	spleen,	which
in	turn	can	weaken	your	body	against	sickness	and	diseases. Traditional	Chinese
Medicine	believes	that	your	spleen	plays	a	central	part	in	your	vitality	and
strength. Because	the	two	systems	work	together,	incorporating	the	foods
recommended	in	
Pillar	1
	for	your	cardiovascular	system	will	also	be	beneficial
for	your	lymphatic	system. However,	since	your	almighty	heart	does	not	pump
the	lymphatic	system,	there	are	specific	methods	to	support	this	system	that	are
applied	to	the	outside	of	the	body. Here	are	some	great	methods	you	can
incorporate	to	support	your	lymph	system	and	nourish	glowing,	healthy	skin
from	the	outside	in. GET	A	MASSAGE
Massages	are	incredibly	beneficial	for	detoxification. Stimulating	the	blood	and
lymph	vessels	helps	move	the	fluids	and	enhance	circulation. Professional
massages	are	wonderful,	as	well	as	a	regular	practice	of	self-massage. PRACTICE	ABHYANGA
This	ancient	form	of	self-massage	is	a	powerful	anti-aging	practice	that	can
easily	be	incorporated	into	your	daily	routine. Abhyanga
	will	make	you	feel
rejuvenated,	soften	your	skin,	and	contribute	to	a	better	overall	skin	tone	while
also	fostering	muscle	tone. There	is	a	belief	in	Ayurveda	that	working	manually
on	the	surface	of	the	skin	helps	support	the	structure	and	health	of	your
muscles,	as	there	is	a	connection	between	your	skin	and	muscle	health. Some	of
abhyanga’
s	deeper,	detoxifying	properties	are	meant	to	be	cumulative	and	long-
term,	so	you	may	not	witness	immediate	benefits,	but	you	will	likely	feel
invigorated	by	the	movement	while	you	trust	that	deeper	support	for
detoxification	is	taking	place	beneath	the	surface. As	you	know,	the	importance
of	improving	circulation	and	detoxification	(which	is	part	of	what	
abhyanga
	is
all	about)	cannot	be	overestimated	for	its	long-term	role	in	maintaining	your
health	and	beauty. Abhyanga
	has	been	part	of	
Ayurveda	for	thousands	of	years	and	is	perhaps
the	foremost	anti-aging	practice	you	can	incorporate	into	your	daily	life. That	is
a	pretty	strong	statement,	but	
abhyanga
	can	help	balance	your	entire	mind	and
body,	relieve	fatigue,	provide	stamina,	enhance	sleep,	promote	a	better
complexion,	improve	the	luster	of	your	skin,	increase	longevity,	and	foster	all-
around	body	nourishment. You	may	be	skeptical	that	a	simple	self-massagepractice	can	really	reap	all	those	benefits,	but	as	you	progress	in	your
understanding	of	the	circulation	and	lymphatic	system,	you’ll	surely	realize
these	benefits	and	appreciate	how	anti-aging	
abhyanga
	truly	is. First,	it’s	important	to	learn	more	about	your	skin. Besides	being	a	major
elimination	organ,	your	skin	is	the	largest	organ	of	sensory	perception. Your
skin	takes	in	a	great	deal	of	information	from	the	outside	world	and	is
connected	to	every	part	of	the	body	by	thousands	of	nerves	throughout	your
entire	nervous	system. As	such,	Ayurveda	believes	that	touching	the	outside	of
your	skin	has	a	big	impact	on	your	nervous	system,	while	your	nervous	system
further	impacts	your	endocrine	system	and	immunity. An	imbalanced	nervous
system	can	manifest	in	excessive	worry,	decreased	energy,	imbalanced	digestion,
and	can	eventually	contribute	to	deeper	and	more	plentiful	wrinkles,	as	you
generally	age	at	a	much	faster	rate	when	your	nervous	system	is	imbalanced. Stress	and	toxins	constantly	accumulate	in	the	mind	and	body,	but
thankfully	
abhyanga
	can	help	dissolve	them	on	a	daily	basis. By	manually
working	with	skin,	Ayurveda	claims	you	can	help	bring	yourself	back	to	the
present	moment	and	reduce	excessive	
Vata
	energy,	or	an	overabundance	of	the
air	element	that	can	make	you	feel	flighty,	anxious,	and	ungrounded. In	other
words,	the	sense	of	touch	can	help	settle	your	overactive,	restless	mind	as	it
recharges	and	rejuvenates	you. On	a	physical	level,	according	to	Ayurvedic	texts,	
abhyanga
	prevents	the
accumulation	of	physiological	toxins,	known	as	
ama
,	and	lubricates	muscles,
tissues,	and	joints,	promoting	flexibility. Ancient	Ayurvedic	texts	claim	that	it
also	improves	the	softness	and	luster	of	the	skin. Exercising	or	taking	a	hot
shower	after	practicing	
abhyanga
	helps	the	oil	penetrate	the	dermis,	which
further	nourishes	the	collagen	and	elastin. The	penetration	of	the	oil	into	the
skin	can	also	help	to	remove	toxins	and	debris	while	improving	the	health	of
blood	vessels. For	your	oil,	sesame	oil	is	best	to	use	in	the	winter	because	it	is	considered
warming,	while	coconut	oil	is	considered	cooling	and	therefore	recommended
for	
the	warmer	summer	months. You	can	also	try	special	Ayurvedic	herbal	oils
that	you	can	source	from	a	reputable	Ayurvedic	purveyor	or	find	online,	or
make	your	own	massage	oil. Be	sure	any	oil	you	use	is	organic,	unrefined,	and
cold-pressed. Ideally,	do	your	
abhyanga
	practice	in	the	morning. This	will	help	release	the
toxins	that	have	accumulated	during	the	night	and	rejuvenate	you	for	the	day. To	avoid	slipping,	we	recommend	sitting	on	the	floor	or	a	chair	near	your
shower. Start	by	warming	the	chosen	oil	slightly	by	holding	it	under	hot	water
for	a	few	minutes. Then	apply	some	of	the	warmed	oil	to	your	hands	andmassage	your	entire	body	for	5	to	10	minutes,	applying	even	pressure	with	your
palm	and	fingers. Apply	lighter	pressure	to	sensitive	areas	such	as	your	upper
torso,	breasts,	heart,	and	abdominal	area. When	you	are	massaging	your
abdomen,	start	on	the	right	side	(from	your	perspective	when	looking	down)
and	then	make	a	circular	motion	up,	across,	and	down	the	left	side. This
supports	the	natural	pathway	of	digestion. Spend	a	few	moments	conducting
this	circular	pathway. Next,	take	more	oil	and	spend	time	massaging	the	soles	of	your	feet,	the
palms	of	your	hands,	and	the	base	of	your	fingernails,	where	there	are	many
nerve	endings. Don’t	forget	about	your	face,	ears,	and	neck. Be	sure	to	give
them	some	love,	too. Don’t	worry;	pure,	organic	oils	should	not	make	you
break	out. (If	you	have	excessively	oily	skin	and	are	worried	about	breakouts,
you	can	always	avoid	your	face. ) On	days	when	you	are	going	to	wash	your	hair
(which	could	be	one	to	five	times	a	week,	depending	on	your	hair	type),	spend
some	time	massaging	your	entire	scalp. Use	circular	motions	over	rounded
areas	such	as	your	feet	and	scalp	and	straight,	longer	strokes	on	your	limbs. If
you	don’t	have	much	time,	focus	on	your	feet	and	scalp;	Ayurveda	teaches	that
these	are	the	most	important	areas	to	stimulate	with	touch. When	you’re	done,	make	sure	you’ve	rubbed	the	oil	in	as	much	as	possible,
especially	on	your	feet;	be	very	careful	to	rub	in	all	oils	on	the	bottom	of	your
feet	before	attempting	walking	or	showering. It’s	common	to	use	too	much	oil
at	first,	but	you	will	soon	reach	the	right	amount. Towel	off	with	a	fresh	towel. Then	you	can	choose	to	work	out	or	go	straight	into	a	hot	shower. The	heat
from	your	workout	(or	the	shower)	will	help	the	oil	penetrate	transdermally. This	will	strengthen	the	connective	skin	tissues	and	help	your	skin	stay	supple
and	healthily	beautiful. In	the	shower,	only	use	soap	on	your	private	parts	and
underarms. Excessive	use	of	soap	can	strip	your	skin	of	moisture,	and	coconut
and	other	oils	have	antibacterial,	cleansing	properties. If	you	still	feel	oily	or
greasy,	use	a	
natural	soap	sparingly. After	you	towel	off,	you’ll	find	a	thin	film
of	oil	on	your	skin. This	will	help	your	skin	stay	moisturized	and	protected,
while	keeping	your	muscles	warm	throughout	the	day. BEAUTY	SECRET	IN	A	TINY	SEED:	
SESAME	OIL
Coconut	oil	is	all	the	rage	right	now	(and	for	good	reason),	but	sesame	oil	is	another
great	natural,	nongreasy	moisturizing	oil. Don’t	worry;	you	don’t	have	to	smell	like
your	neighborhood	Chinese	take-out	joint. In	fact,	Asian	cooking	oils	are	not	the
right	kind. Pure,	cold-pressed	sesame	oil	is	what	you	want;	it	has	a	mild,	pleasant
scent	and	is	absorbed	readily	into	your	skin. If	you	purchase	sesame	oil	that	has	a
strong	odor,	it’s	probably	roasted	or	toasted	sesame	oil. Unroasted,	cold-pressed
sesame	oil,	on	the	other	hand,	is	highly	lubricating	and	fantastic	for	both	your	skin
and	scalp,	promoting	vitality	and	healthy	hair	growth. Keep	it	refrigerated	exceptfor	the	daily	amounts	you	set	aside	for	your	massage. Sesame	oil	is	highly	nourishing	and	healing	and	contains	vitamin	E	and	B
vitamins,	amino	acids,	and	minerals	such	as	magnesium,	calcium,	and	phosphorus. It	helps	soften	your	skin	and	hair,	keeping	them	
hydrated	by	locking	moisture	in. Sesame	oil	will	effectively	penetrate	deeper	into	the	epidermis	to	moisturize	and
repair	skin,	especially	if	heat	is	applied	after	sesame	oil	application	(as	from	a	hot
shower	after	
abhyanga
). Sesame	oil	is	particularly	protective	against	pollution	and
effective	at	revitalizing	damaged	hair	from	deep	within. DRY	BRUSHING
Like	
abhyanga
,	dry	brushing	is	a	manual	treatment	that	is	great	for	improving
circulation	and	rejuvenating	your	skin. You	can	actually	integrate	dry	brushing
into	your	
abhyanga
	routine	by	dry	brushing	for	just	a	few	minutes	right	before
applying	the	oil	and	starting	the	self-massage. This	heightens	the	benefits	of
abhyanga
	even	more. Like	other	forms	of	sloughing	the	skin	to	exfoliate,	dry	brushing	has	been
practiced	widely	around	the	world,	from	
Japan	to	
Sweden. Manually	working
with	the	skin—our	largest	organ	of	sensory	perception	made	of	multiple	cell
layers,	glands,	and	densely	packed	nerve	cells—has	amazing	whole	body	benefits. It	helps	remove	dead	skin	cells	and	clear	out	clogged	pores,	allowing	your	body
to	eliminate	wastes	and	toxins	more	efficiently. This	also	activates	waste
removal	via	your	lymphatic	system,	draining	wastes	through	your	lymph	nodes
and	lymphatic	drainage. Increasing	circulation	to	your	skin	allows	metabolic
wastes	to	clear	from	your	body	more	efficiently,	making	dry	brushing	a	great
detoxifying	aid. Like	a	light	massage,	dry	brushing	also	provides	some	anti-stress	benefits	and
may	even	help	with	
bloating. Massaging	the	lymph	nodes	can	help	the	body
shed	excess	water	and	toxins,	improving	kidney	function	and	flushing	out	your
system. Dry	skin	brushing	rejuvenates	the	nervous	system	by	stimulating	nerve
endings	in	the	skin,	and	it	feels	pretty	great,	too. (Well,	it	can	feel	a	little	rough
at	first	when	you	are	getting	used	to	it,	but	it	will	leave	you	feeling	revitalized
and	with	a	great	memory	of	the	experience. ) Last	but	not	least,	dry	brushing	will
almost	certainly	help	make	your	skin	glow	and	become	tighter. Try	it	for
yourself	and	see	what	kinds	of	benefits	you	experience. To	do	it	yourself,	all	you	need	is	about	2	to	3	minutes	a	day	(ideally	layered
into	your	
abhyanga
	practice)	and	a	long-handled	brush	made	from	dry	bristles,
which	you	can	generally	purchase	for	under	$20	online	or	at	a	health	market. Starting	at	your	feet,	brush	your	skin	in	long	strokes	toward	your	heart. Be	sure
to	brush	your	legs,	arms,	chest,	back,	and	stomach. Avoid	sensitive	areas,	such
as	your	face,	and	be	very	careful	with	delicate	areas	like	varicose	veins	(thoughgentle	dry	brushing	can	be	great	for	flat	spider	veins). Be	firm,	but	don’t	press
too	hard. Your	skin	should	be	pink	when	you’re	done	but	certainly	not	red	or
irritated. Afterward,	be	sure	to	engage	in	your	
abhyanga
	practice	or	apply	a
natural	moisturizer	or	emollient	oil,	such	as	shea	butter	or	coconut	or	sesame
oil. Since	dry	brushing	helps	slough	off	the	dead,	outer	cells,	your	skin	will	be
able	to	
hydrate	more	efficiently	and	absorb	more	moisture. OCEAN	BEAUTY	DETOX	AND	MINERAL	MASK
Kelp	is	seaweed	that	is	rich	in	minerals	and	vitamins. Used	in	a	mask	form,	it	will	draw	impurities	out
of	your	skin	as	it	also	helps	restore	nutrition	to	your	complexion. 2	tablespoons	kelp	powder
½	cup	aloe	vera	gel
2	teaspoons	filtered	water
Combine	the	kelp	and	aloe	vera	in	a	small	bowl. Slowly	mix	in	the	water	until	you	create	a	thick	paste.
Purslane, dandelion greens, and lamb's quarter are mentioned as beauty-boosting weeds.
What are some of the beauty-boosting weeds that can be used in a beauty routine?
The text states that an average daily guideline is 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium.
What is the recommended daily intake of sodium?
The text advises that the FDA does not require companies to test ingredients, and that some companies may omit certain ingredients or use trade secrets, so it is important to research and understand the ingredients and their potential toxicity.
What is the recommended way to read labels on cosmetics?
The text lists several toxic ingredients, including oxybenzone, padimate O, and nanoparticles, and advises against using products with these ingredients.
What are some toxic ingredients to avoid in skincare products?
The text recommends avoiding tight clothing, getting regular massages, and practicing dry brushing to improve circulation and detoxify the body.
What is the recommended way to improve skin circulation and detoxify the body?