If you’re into super easy, accessible and realistic wellness hacks, then this post is for you.
Today we have Celeste Thomas on the blog. Let us introduce you:
Celeste is an LA based Registered Nurse, holistic skincare expert and non-toxic lifestyle advocate who’s been weeding through all the crap the beauty industry feeds us to give us some tired and true recommendations that really work. After suffering from acne and even being on Accutane, Celeste learned how to actually heal her acne from within with lifestyle practices, diet and skin-safe products. Today she is going ot share her top tips with YOU.
Let’s welcome Celeste to the blog.
+++
Hi loves! My name is Celeste Thomas, I’m a registered nurse and holistic skincare expert who’s overcome some majorly acne prone skin. My mission is to use everything I’ve learned over the past 15 years in the skincare and wellness industries to help you feel your most skin confident.
I am that one friend you can always text for the best recommendations and honest reviews. I have researched it all when it comes to skin health and as someone prone to acne, I’ve learned that the most trendy, expensive products aren’t always the best choice. In this post I’m giving you the simplest, most budget-friendly tips to help your skin glow from the inside out.
Here are 10 nutrition, exercise, and health tips that I live by.
Celeste Thomas on Nutrition, Health and Exercise
Protein at every meal
Think Lauryn’s plate of ground beef. IYKYK. Protein helps stabilize my blood sugar so I’m not sneaking my daughter’s cereal by 10AM. Protein also supports the skin’s collagen and elastin production, pretty much making you the hottest, most energized version of yourself.
If there’s no protein, I’m not wasting my time. At least 20g of protein at every meal/snack is my goal and I even put it in my drinks. Here’s how I add protein to my morning matcha:
Packet of Pique Matcha Tea
1 Scoop of Be Well by Kelly Grass Protein Powder (20g of protein)
1 Scoop of Ancient Nutrition Collagen Powder (10g of protein)
1-2 Tbsp of Almond Milk Concentrate
1 Tsp of NOW Foods Organic Monk Fruit
Whisk, pour over ice and enjoy.
Eating Home Cooked Whole Food Meals
I know this can sound daunting, but I try to do this as much as possible because it’s so worth it. I have more energy, clearer and brighter skin, and increased mental clarity when I am nourishing my body with home cooked whole food.
It allows me to avoid the skin busting big 3 (stay tuned for this in the next tip).
I cook 80% of my meals, so when I do decide to go balls to the walls with steak frites, a dirty gin martini, and apple pie à la mode I get to fully enjoy it because it’s an occasional treat, not my multiple times a week crutch because I didn’t have a plan and postmates’d shitty Chinese food in a hunger panic.
I plan ahead and order groceries from Costco, Whole Foods, or Sprouts and treat myself to kid-free solo dates to the farmers market. Another way I keep it simple is by repeating meals. Burger night, taco night, and steak night are on rotation weekly, no shame in keeping it basic.
Eat to Glow
Diet is a huge component to keeping my skin clear. No matter how much money you spend on products, if you don’t nourish your skin internally you’re not going to get the Hailey Bieber glaze you want. The #eattoglow diet is anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and supports clear skin, I swear by it. It’s all about adding in as much organic produce, grass-fed organic meat, and wild caught fish as possible and avoiding the big three.
The Big Three:
Seed Oils: A recent peer reviewed study, found that people with acne have higher lineactic acid, which can also be found in various seed oils. I opt for tallow or Ghee while cooking or organic EVOO for cold preparations like salad dressing.
Refined Sugar (sugar that has been extracted from natural sources and is highly processed): Refined sugar is linked to pretty much every skin complaint one would ever have, acne, signs of premature aging, redness, and irritation. Try Organic Pure Monk Fruit Extract Instead!
Dairy: Dairy CAN be a breakout culprit for genetically acne prone people, personally I’ll get a fat ol zit the day after a cheese binge. Some ppl do great with dairy and of course sourcing matters but if you’re seeing a connection between dairy and acne, take a month off and see how you do!
Hot Take: The big ugly salad – Get a giant mixing bowl from Amazon, add your favorite protein (my faves: Salmon, Chicken, or Steak), fill the bowl with organic greens, Add antioxidant rich veggies (bell peppers, carrots, cucumber, red onions), and healthy fats (avocado and my homemade salad dressing).
Mobility Practice
The one thing that has changed my body more than any boutique LA fitness class or personal training session is my mobility practice. No amount of money, hours in the gym, or perfect diet will give you envy worthy posture if you’re not stretching out and lengthening the fascia.
I go to myodetox in LA once a month to see a physical therapist who looks at my posture, asymmetry, and functional strength to develop a personal mobility routine to make me look longer and more even.
If you’re not in LA and don’t have access to a PT you can just spend 10 – 15 minutes every morning stretching and releasing the fascia. For my visual girlies, I filmed a video with my PT to help release the tech neck slump we’re ALL dealing with, check it out here.
Find what works best for YOU
Hate spinning??? SAME! I don’t allow myself to feel guilty about not being compliant with workouts I hate, I just found one that I actually enjoyed.
Perfect example: I tried weight lifting because all the hot girls I follow are doing it. I lifted with my husband in his makeshift home gym with football posters on the wall and it just wasn’t THE VIBE, ya know?
Overall, I didn’t get the results I wanted because I hated being in there and begrudgingly did it like twice a week. Fail. I realized I’m a reformer Pilates princess, that amount of weight resistance still helps me build muscle and I’m actually compliant enough to see results, for me that’s about 3 times a week.
Recognize when your body needs rest
I personally learned this the hard way during my 1st pregnancy when I was really overdoing it with exercise. If you’re going through a stressful situation, whether that be mentally, physically, or emotionally, you’re not going to get the results you want without proper rest.
Trust your intuition and trust that your body will tell you what it needs. Resting when you need to can prevent cortisol spikes that could actually make you store unwanted fat.
Mouth Tape
I have a slightly deviated septum. I was snoring. Not sleeping through the night. It wasn’t great.
I started using The Skinny Confidential Mouth Tape, which is my new nighttime non-negotiable, I’m obsessed. I still might need to fix my septum but until I get the courage to make the consult, at least I’m getting a more defined jawline and I wake up feeling rested.
Therapy
Your girl has some major trauma, and instead of letting it run my life and ruin my relationships I’m dedicated to designing a better future for myself and my family.
Therapy has been a game changer for me and helped me navigate really difficult seasons of my life. Utilizing the tools I’ve learned in therapy allows me to fully show up as my true self vs my reactive self in my relationships, work, and for my community.
I don’t think there’s better money spent than money on a great therapist when you feel like you might need it. Highly recommend checking out BetterHelp, (not an ad). I use it and actually think it’s so convenient and affordable for quality care.
Break up with your phone
Simple, yet so effective. Who has been guilty of bringing their phone to bed, setting an alarm, and then aimlessly scrolling for hours? I have. Using my phone in bed was negatively impacting my sleep and I could totally see it on my skin. While you’re sleeping your skin is actually going through a rehydrating and replenishing cycle, without proper sleep skin starts looking dull, dry, and prematurely aged.
This tip is listed on my masterlist of Celeste approved home products for a reason. The Hatch Alarm clock has single handedly changed my sleep habits for the better. Instead of doom scrolling until 11pm waking up to the screech of my iPhone alarm at 5am, I wake up gently to beach sounds and sunrise light (yes please.)
Pro Tip: Fully disconnect by charging your phone in another room or downstairs so you go to bed on time.
Thanks for having me TSC!
+++
Be sure to follow Celeste @celestethomas for tons of skin tips, and healthy skincare product reviews.
x, The Skinny Confidential team.
+ Check out these natural beauty hacks.
++ The best foods for hair, skin and nails.
SHOP CELESTE’S TIPS:
