Beauty Wellness Is Whole-Body Wellness

For me, beauty wellness has never been just about how our skin looks.

It’s about how we treat the whole body. Our skin is our largest organ, and the way we care for it often reflects the way we care for ourselves internally. We pay attention to what we eat, how much water we drink and what ingredients are in our food—so why wouldn’t we bring that same awareness to what we put on our skin?

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Our digestive system processes what we eat. Good and bad foods. Our skin, meanwhile, interacts directly with the products we apply to it absorbing like a sponge what you apply to it. Good and bad products. Some ingredients remain primarily on the surface, while others can penetrate into layers of the skin depending on their molecular structure and formulation. That distinction matters.

Why I Changed the Way I Looked at Skincare

About ten years ago, I began questioning some of the skincare lines I was working with. I didn't want skincare to simply have "claims" or make skin temporarily feel good. I wanted to understand the ingredients, the formulations and how skin actually responds to them.

That decision eventually led me to create something very different and I found a manufacturer to do it. I now had access to a R&D team and a clean beauty ingredient manufacturer. I could make a difference!

I wanted skincare that supported the skin rather than constantly fighting against it— (or not doing anything) thoughtful formulations, beautiful textures and ingredients selected with purpose.

When skin is properly hydrated and its barrier is supported, you can see and feel the difference: that fresh bounce, softness, smoothness and healthy-looking glow.

But I also realized topical skincare was only part of the conversation, so I started looking inward.

You Can Feed Your Skin From the Inside, Too

Becoming a Certified Nutrition Esthetician changed the way I approached beauty even further. What we eat provides the nutrients our bodies use to build and maintain tissue—including our skin. Protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, hydration and fiber all play different roles in overall health.

This is where beauty wellness becomes much bigger than a jar of face cream.

When I work with someone on their skin, I want them thinking about both sides of the equation: What am I putting on my skin, and how am I nourishing the body responsible for creating that skin?

Highly processed foods don't offer the same nutritional value as a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods. In fact, we know that highly processed foods can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, acne and increased feelings of hunger. This is where we feel bad, all the way around. In the same way, I don't believe skincare should simply be chosen because it's inexpensive, heavily fragranced or promises an overnight miracle. Skincare should support your skin, nourish its cells and engage your senses in a positive way, helping you feel good inside and out.

Beauty wellness is about becoming more intentional with both. Whole body wellness. Something our Power Squad believes in daily at Face It Skin Bar. For those unfamiliar with the Power Squad, it consists of six other independent contractors collaborating with me at Face It Skin Bar & Refillery. This exceptional team, each a specialist in their respective areas, works together to educate on beauty wellness and assist individuals in enhancing their appearance and well-being.

The Nervous System and Skincare

This is the part of beauty wellness that fascinates me most. Your skin and nervous system are intimately connected. Think about how quickly your skin can respond to emotion: you blush when embarrassed, perspire when nervous and may experience changes in your skin during periods of prolonged stress. The brain, nervous system and skin are constantly communicating.

This relationship is also part of the emerging field behind neurocosmetics. Neurocosmetic formulations are designed around the communication pathways between the skin and its sensory and nervous systems. Made with ingredients from Mother Nature, these formulations use components the skin is naturally equipped to recognize and respond to. When certain ingredients touch the skin, they can create a pleasurable sensory experience that helps the nervous system and brain feel calm, comforted and joyful. These are great ingredients. Great for your whole body. That skin-brain connection helped inspire the direction I took with Face It Skin.

But the nervous-system wellness goes far beyond skincare.

Protecting Your Energy Is Beauty Wellness, Too

We can eat beautifully. We can take care of our skin. We can exercise and use wonderful products.

But we also need to pay attention to how we feel. Who do you feel good around?

What drains you? What restores you? Are you protecting your time—or constantly giving it away? Are you enjoying what's happening right now, or mentally living three days ahead?

Whole-body wellness includes creating moments when your nervous system isn't constantly being asked to respond, perform and keep going.

Spend time with people who make you feel good. Eat foods that nourish you. Move your body. Take care of your skin. Protect your time. Pay attention to your energy. Do things that genuinely make you happy. And sometimes, do absolutely nothing. Be still.

There is tremendous wellness in learning that we don't have to be stimulated, productive or available every minute of every day.

Beauty wellness isn't about chasing perfection. It's about creating our environment, your environment—inside and out—in which we can thrive. That is the kind of beauty I believe in.

Learn more about Face It Skin: Faceitskin.net

Genelle Holub, NCE

Founder, Face It Skin

Professional Makeup Artist

Licensed Esthetician

Certified Nutrition Esthetician