A GP who is famous for her luminous complexion has shared the secrets to ‘glowing’ skin, and the biggest misconception women have about looking after their skin at home.
Doctor and holistic skin expert Dr Rabia Malik, from London, said in her clinic she is frequently asked by clients how they can make their skin ‘glow’.
She always replies that there are many elements including diet, lifestyle, environment and choice of products that play a part.
‘I believe you can only truly achieve a glowing complexion by optimising your internal health, alongside using the right products and active ingredients for your skin topically and then topping that up with some targeted skin treatments in clinic and at home,’ Dr Malik told The Beauty Chef.
A GP who is famous for her luminous complexion has shared the secrets to ‘glowing’ skin (Dr Rabia Malik pictured)
Not only should you be concentrating on drinking at least two litres of water every single day, but Dr Malik (pictured) also said you should focus on foods that reduce ‘internal inflammation’
DIET
The first element that is key if you want to improve your skin is your diet.
Not only should you be concentrating on drinking at least two litres of water every single day, but Dr Malik also said you should focus on foods that reduce ‘internal inflammation’.
‘Inflammation is ultimately the cause of all ageing,’ she told The Beauty Chef.
‘Our understanding of gut health and the link between the gut and skin has also evolved over the years, and studies have shown that there are links between certain skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis, and the gut microbiome.’
What this means in reality is that you need to cut out or at least dramatically reduce foods that contribute to internal inflammation – including sugar, dairy and gluten.
In their place, Dr Malik recommends that clients boost their colourful fruits and vegetable intake, as well as their good fats – which are found in nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocado.
You could also seek to increase the amount of fermented foods you enjoy, like kimchi, kombucha and kefir.
She said while people used to consider fat to be the enemy of great skin, we have now realised that sugar is the real culprit and what we need to be largely avoiding.
The second thing Dr Malik (pictured) looks at with her clients who want glowing skin is the lifestyle and environmental factors that might be holding them back from getting great skin
LIFESTYLE AND ENVIRONMENT
The second thing Dr Malik looks at with her clients who want glowing skin is the lifestyle and environmental factors that might be holding them back from getting great skin.
‘Minimising exposure to environmental toxins – such as cigarette smoke and nicotine from cigarettes and/or vapes is important, as these can damage the skin structure,’ Dr Malik explained.
Protecting your skin from the sun and prolonged UV exposure is also the ‘number one thing’ you can do to prevent ageing.
Alongside both of these, Dr Malik recommends you religiously clock between seven and eight hours of sleep each night and make sure you get plenty of regular exercise to promote circulation.
Finally, making sure you drink lots of water is key for dewy skin.
PRODUCT CHOICES
Finally, while they are not the be all and end all, products can make a difference to the overall quality of your skin.
But Dr Malik subscribes to a ‘less is more’ approach with skincare.
She believes every woman should be using a gentle face wash for cleansing, an antioxidant-based serum in the morning, as well as a mineral-based sunscreen and a collagen-producing product at night.
She said while her clients often require different products, exfoliation is key for everyone – so you can remove the dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin.
Dr Malik prefers chemical exfoliation and peels to mechanical exfoliation like microdermabrasion. She also loves vitamin C as an ingredient for most skin types.
Dr Malik (pictured) said it’s not true that you need to ‘do a lot or use a lot of aggressive products’ in order to get your desired results
BIGGEST SKINCARE MISCONCEPTION
When it comes to the biggest misconception women have around their skin, Dr Malik said it’s that you need to ‘do a lot or use a lot of aggressive products’ in order to get your desired results.
‘I personally believe in using a few products with the right active ingredients in the right concentration and being consistent with their use,’ she said.
If you don’t know where to start, then getting a skin expert who can see and understand your skin type to help you create a suitable routine is a good start.
Once you have a regime, Dr Malik said it pays to be ‘diligent’ and consistent with your skincare and supplements. You should see the benefits over time.
For more information about Dr Rabia Malik, you can visit her website here. You can also follow her on Instagram here.