Evidence suggests that as early as 3000 BC, people have attempted to improve their appearance through cosmetics. In fact, we can examine the length of any historical period and see it is rife with concoctions aimed at solving the problems of the skin. My personal favorite is the story of Egyptian Queen Hatsheput. To combat her psoriasis, she applied a lotion that contained, alongside the harmless plant oils and animal fats, a highly carcinogenic substance called benzopyrene. It is estimated that this substance ultimately contributed to her early death. This example is emblematic of a story that persists throughout time: people care about the appearance of their skin and, in the pursuit of enhancing it, will often purchase substances that are a waste of money or downright toxic. The snake oils and potions of prior centuries are not so different from the products of today. In another hundred years, these products will come under scrutiny while new “formulated” recipes replace them. But if consumers are largely being duped by ineffective products, what are they to do instead?

The philosophy I’ve employed over the last decade is a simple one: what is good for your health is good for your skin. Making your health a top priority every day will, on average, lead to better results in the long run. This translates to fewer blemishes, delayed signs of aging, and fuller-looking skin. Moreover, a reduction in the prevalence of common skin ailments means less reaching for those quick fixes that often lead to longer-term problems. Unfortunately, most people either aren’t aware of or ignore the behaviors consistent with optimal health. I’m not talking about specifically tailored programs to maximize individual health, but rather the things every person can benefit from because they are evolutionarily consistent with our biology. I’ve established principles that I call the five pillars of health. Broadly speaking the five pillars are: sleep, nutrition, exercise, mental stress, and environment.

• Sleep is the essential state in which our body is repaired. Regular short and/or shallow sleep has been demonstrated to negatively affect nearly every process in the body. A study at Stockholm University showed that perceived physical attractiveness is reduced by short sleep. Compared to a control group, short sleepers were unambiguously rated less healthy and attractive. If you are interested in physiological reasons for this, I highly recommend Matthew Walker’s Why We Sleep.
• Nutrition is still the most hotly debated subject regarding human health. What isn’t debated is the simple fact that if we want to be our healthiest selves, we should strive to maximize nutritional quality while staying away from harmful foods. Regardless of potential food sensitivities, an excellent place to start with one’s diet is with wild or humanely raised animals, fruits, and vegetables while foregoing processed food. You can read how I approach this goal here.
• Exercise needs, and the extent to which one benefits, are, highly personal. Tons of literature exists on the topic, but those who engage in regular strength and cardiovascular programs have been shown to experience dramatic declines in all-cause mortality accompanied by improved appearance and cognitive ability. Be careful not to overexercise, which can cause early aging if maintained over prolonged periods.
• Mental stress is not only exacerbated by poor sleep, nutrition, and activity, but can also be self-imposed through thought patterns. Constant exposure to elevated cortisol resulting from mental stress has been identified as a contributor to early aging. If you are engaged in thought patterns or have responsibilities that are causing you distress, I highly recommend speaking with a mental health specialist.
• Environmental impact on health is a subject that has grown in prominence over the last decade. Sunlight, air, and chemical exposure are the primary environmental influences impacting health. Chronically inadequate vitamin D levels have serious ramifications, including reduced immune, mental, and hormonal function. Regarding air quality, respiration of small particulate matter is associated with systemic inflammation. Lastly, exposure to certain industrial chemicals is having profoundly negative impacts on our endocrine health. If you are unsure of a product’s safety, visit ewg.org.

Although I could discuss each of the categories above in far greater detail, the purpose of this post was to introduce the low hanging fruit that governs a majority of our health and appearance. In the next part, I’ll describe some of the tricks the cosmetics industry uses to make you think you need their products.
The philosophy behind my skincare routine is a simple one: what’s good for your health is good for your skin. Making your health a top priority every day leads to better long-term results.