Spring

 Skin Cycling: The Power of Spring 

 Authored by: Anne C. Willis

We should always remember that the biological processes of our body and skin occur as a reaction to the earth adjusting itself.  This is why embracing a lifestyle that is in unity with the transitions of one season to the next, allows us to sustain a higher level of wellbeing.

As the earth begins to organize itself in the spring, we witness the harshness of winter recede, and the transformative nature of the new season begin to flower.

All of our physical, mental, or spiritual areas of health that are struggling and may even be stuck will be revealed during this season of transition. But the natural world doesn’t leave us holding onto our distress. Instead, the body is prompted to let go through the natural activation of

detoxification and purification. The freshness of new plant life can play a key role in this process. 

Therefore, spring should be thought of as a season of transformation.  As this relates to skin, it means taking that which has died and allowing it to transform new skin cells with renewed life.   Hopefully you have been following my lessons that teach that dead skin cells serve a purpose even at death. These fibrinous proteins aid in the structural integrity of the skin. Skin that has structural integrity will hold nutrients and hydration more efficiently, defend against UV rays, and act in unity with our skin’s immune response. In the spring dead skin cells are naturally transformed into usable compost for the skin’s microbiome to flourish. The microbiome allows for proper metabolic processes such as detoxification, they maintain the structural integrity of the skin’s barrier, while sustaining our skin’ immune response against pathogens.

De La Terre Skincare follows the principles of Chinese Five Elements in which spring shakes up the energy of the liver and gallbladder, which are both systems of purification and detoxification.   The Five Elements theory states that each of the five elements has a corresponding emotion that is associated with each organ system.  Since spring is a season of, ‘I just figured out, this is me’ the emotion associated with this new found awareness is impatience.  This emotion takes hold when our desire to put our new found self out to the universe seems to be taking forever, not springing forward at the rate we want it to.  That pent up frustration can lead to headaches, migraines and even high blood pressure.  These emotions influence the over activation of the liver/gallbladder and this can lead to rising heat to the skin.  Excess heat that leads to persistent inflammation causes the skin’s biological processes to become sterile, leaving it starved of the resources it needs. So, the key is to move forward during the spring months at a rate the body can manage without overwhelming it.  Because, if you don’t, it has the great capacity to experience setbacks until you treat it with the kindness it deserves.

Foods that are great for your spring transition

Many foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants can assist your body’s natural ability to cleanse and detoxify itself. Not only can these foods help your body remove toxins, but they also provide nutrients that you need to lead a healthy life.  Engaging in a 6–8-week plant-based diet can alleviate all kinds of physical ailments during the spring months, such as achy joints, eczema, psoriasis, acne, digestive disorders and allergies to name a few. This means no flesh (meat, chicken, turkey, fish). No alcohol, caffeine, sugar, wheat, or dairy.  No stimulants whatsoever. If you need guidance with a natural cleanse, you can book a consult with our office. Check out these nine foods that can help with natural cleansing:

Asparagus

Asparagus contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification. It is also a good source of fiber, folate, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as being beneficial to those with high blood pressure. Asparagus is also known to help the kidney and bladder cleanse itself.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which is great for fighting off infectious cells in our bodies. Eating broccoli also helps your body fight off cancer-inducing chemicals, and boosts the liver’s ability to clear harmful chemicals from our bodies.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and B1, as well as pantothenic acid, fiber, potassium, and biotin. Enzymes found in grapefruit may also break down the fat in your body to help promote waste loss. Please note that grapefruit may interact with some medications, so you should speak with your primary care provider before increasing your grapefruit intake.

Avocado

Avocados are loaded with antioxidants that help your body expel harmful toxins. A nutrient-dense food, avocados contain around 20 different vitamins and minerals that help decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Kale

What’s the fuss over kale? I think they hired a really good PR firm personally!  Packed with amino acids that help keep your mind sharp, kale is also beneficial for managing cholesterol. Kale can also help with managing blood pressure due to its high levels of magnesium and potassium.

Artichokes

Give your liver a break! Artichokes provide a wide variety of nutrients for your blood and liver. Two phytonutrients found in artichokes help the liver produce bile, which is important in the digestion of fats.

Collard greens

Collard greens are rich in sulfur-containing compounds that support your body’s detoxification process. Not only are they high in vitamins K and A, but collard greens may also lower your risk of breast, colon, and lung cancers due to indole-3-carbinol.

Beet

Beets are a high-antioxidant vegetable that are also rich in nutrients. Beets contain betaine, which helps the liver rid itself of toxins, as well as a fiber called pectin that clears toxins that have been removed from the liver. Beets also get blood moving.

Spinach

Spinach is low in calories, but packed with nutrients. Spinach contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as thiamin, folate, calcium, iron, and magnesium—the list goes on! Flavonoids in spinach help keep cholesterol from oxidizing in your body by acting as antioxidants.

Herbal Teas

De La Terre Skincare | Purifies Herb Rich Tea is a unique loose-leaf blend that contains chickweed, dandelion, nettles, self-heal, chamomile, and a small amount of licorice.  We suggest drinking 2, 3 cups a day during the spring months. This caffeine-free tea will aid in the natural cleansing of the body, reduce heat generated by an active liver/gallbladder function, support digestive function, and enhance blood and lymphatic movement.  It may be applied topically as well to soothe and alleviate itching due to detox and to clear the surface for renewal and new growth.

Spring Skin Care

At the core of any seasonal transitions is the principle that nature governs what skin requires as it cycles into a new phase of wellbeing.  As the temperatures warm and the sun illuminates our skies longer throughout the day, all that has been waiting below skin’s surface emerges as new life. The forward momentum activates the decomposing of compressed dead skin cells, while alerting chemical messengers such as hormones to meet the need for growth, repair and reproduction. These messengers also prompt an immune response thereby increasing production of oil and the production of melanin.  The skin sweats more in the spring thus releasing waste and toxins via pores. As the skin naturally cleanses itself, waste and toxins can leave skin itchy and irritated.  The skin may experience occasional breakout along with feeling rough as dead skin cells transforming into nutrients for the microbiome.  

After months of cooler/colder weather and layers of moisturizer, our skin begs to be freed from all those layers. But nature teaches us that we shouldn't take something away from our skin or cause it harm during the process of spring detox.  So, De La Terre Skincare offers the perfect product that transforms surface build up, as well as provides an abundance of herbs that help to restore skin's equilibrium, while nourishing and feeding newly developed skin cells.

Active Support Skin Lotion contains one of the most valuable resources that nature provides us with and they are mushrooms. This product contains fourteen varieties of mushrooms which aid in transforming dead skin cells into viable nutrients so the microbiome can function properly and let me just say, so much more. Apply Active Support Skin Lotion morning and night either directly after Herb Rich Mist or after Herb Rich Serum.

After the microbiome has biologically processed dead skin cells there are remnants remaining. The skin may feel as though there is build up on the surface and your instinct is to want to scrub your skin. Instead use Herb Rich Clay. This product contains natural plant enzymes which will digest these remnants.  

Herb Rich Clay should be applied to the skin 1-2x a week during the spring months.  In addition to being a natural enzyme, Herb Rich Clay is also a treatment product that will stabilize symptoms associated with inflammation, sun damage, impurities, or neglect. Therefore, Herb Rich Clay comes in four botanical blends, so pick a formula that addresses the dominating skin symptom that is preventing skin from recovering.

1.     Comforts is for skin that demonstrates redness or naturally flushes.

2.     Rescues is for mature skin that requires an intelligent approach to ageing.  It is also recommended for skin that has been exposed to the environment and needs renewal and repair. Not for Inflamed skin!

3.     Supports is for skin that has been neglected. Which means it is to be used if you haven’t been applying DLTS products daily and rarely use skin care topicals.  Not for Inflamed skin!

4.     Purifies is for skin that is oily and breaks out.  Pores are obstructed due to impurities. Not for Inflamed skin!

Purifies Mist is a must during March, April, and May.  Using the mist topically will add a freshness to skin that is transitioning from the retreat of winter. It will also reduce itchy, irritated skin due to detox.  Breathing in Purifies Mist will help with seasonal sneezing due to allergies, and it will loosen mucus as it works to exit the body.  This active elixir is a fan favorite with our clients, due to the refreshing aroma of peppermint and fennel, and the calming benefits of lavender and sandalwood. Burdock is the key botanical in Purifies Mist that helps to get things moving.

Mineral Rich Salts activates the natural purification of the skin, while encouraging regeneration of new skin cells. The soothing waters made from Mineral Rich Salts offer antihistaminic benefits that aid in reducing skin inflammation.

Best to dissolve a tablespoon of Mineral Rich Salts in heated water. Once salt water has cooled take a soft face cloth moistened in salt water and bath the skin. You can use the salt water to rinse off Herb Rich Cleanser.

You can also dissolve 1 Tsp. Mineral Rich Salt in a Neti pot for nasal irrigation. By cleansing with the mineral salt water, you free the nasal passage of harmful bacteria and toxins.

For a soothing tub soak, dissolve 1 cup of salt in bath water. Soak for 20 minutes.

Nature is full of transitions.  Spring invites you to leap forward into wellness through the best paired foods, mindful self-care, and De La Terre Skincare products.   By taking the time to acknowledge the adjustments taking place in nature during each seasonal transition, you can become closer to the nature that lies with you.