September is Skincare Awareness Month, and we’re sharing some tips from FLO Living to help you and your young adult nieces take charge of skincare routines!

Long after puberty, many women may still experience monthly breakouts. Some changes in the skin over the course of a month are normal – after ovulation the increase of progesterone makes breakouts more likely. For the same reason, taking an oral contraceptive high in progesterone can lead to skin trouble all month long! Also, hormonal imbalances can cause the liver to produce the substances that lead to the wrong kind of sebum – the natural lubricant produced by glands in the skin. There are some things you and your nieces can do to prevent hormonal breakouts.

If your diet is high in sugar, fat, processed foods, or foods with chemical additives, your body may have a hard time getting rid of these excesses. Your skin’s ability to lubricate and self-clean can be impaired. Remember, your body keeps you healthy by processing out anything toxic, and your skin is a major vehicle for detoxification – including the skin on your face.

Americans spend around $6 billion on skincare products each year – there’s so much advertising encouraging us to turn to the latest chemical-based product for solutions. The trouble is, those products actually add toxins to our bodies, ultimately contributing to deeper levels of organ imbalance and giving our skin even more to deal with.

Don’t fall into this trap!

If you or your nieces are dealing with skin problems, here are five must-dos to check off the list!

1. Check your products.

Beware of any chemical irritant in skincare products or laundry detergents. Go for the natural stuff – your skin will thank you!

2. Wash your clothes!

This one seems obvious, but be sure to wash any new clothes you or your nieces purchase before wearing them. One of our team members recently got a bout of eczema on her breasts, only to realize it was caused by her new lacy bra that she forgot to wash before wearing.

3. Look before you flush.

That’s right. There are hidden messages in your BMs and if you’re not paying attention or are too busy being grossed out, you’ll miss them! Look out for looseness, small pieces, or anything that doesn’t come out smoothly and cleanly. Also, beware if you’re not going at least once a day. Any of these are signs your digestive health needs a boost and is probably one of the main reasons your skin isn’t doing so great.

4. Start with your insides.

There is a wealth of healing medicine at your disposal simply by going to the farmer’s market. The fall harvest is full of root veggies and hearty greens that will move things through your digestive system to help eliminate toxins and excess hormones that might be building up an wreaking havoc on your skin. A huge part of your immune system is also located in your gut, so it’s a great way to prevent the seasonal flu from knocking you out. WomanCode is a wonderful resource for learning how to eat and live for your hormonal and digestive balance.

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

H2O is your friend! ‘Nough said.

Ready for more? There’s more where this came from! Check out our skincare vlog for even more tools on breaking breakouts naturally!

Alisa Vitti is the founder of FLOLiving.com, a virtual health center that supports women’s hormonal and reproductive health. She is the creator of the Hormonal Sync System, a one-of-a-kind online learning and support program for women in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. For the past 10 years, Alisa has run a thriving women’s wellness practice in Manhattan, helping thousands of women fix their period, protect their fertility, improve IVF cycles, recover from post partum mood, and boost their energy and libido. Alisa has been featured in various media including CBS News, Fox Business News, Huffington Post, Life & Style, Natural Health UK, and FertilityAuthority.com.

Photo: posterize
Published: September 17, 2013