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April 8, 2026 |
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Morning! It’s Earth Month, a great time to take stock of your habits to see where you can make changes that are more planet-friendly. The environment that your skin lives in has a profound impact on its long-term health. Environmental pollution (particulate matter, toxins, PFAS) takes a toll. So care for the Earth like your health depends on it. It does.
Spring is also a great time to talk about cleaning rituals! For my apartment, I love a deep clean. For my skin? Not so much. A gentle cream cleanser is my face wash of choice.
Enjoy this newsletter! Feel free to forward it along to anyone you think might be interested in learning more about skin health. And if you’re receiving this email because someone sent it to you, subscribe here. |
xx take care of yourself,
Alexandra Engler
mindbodygreen beauty director |
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The best antioxidants to eat for skin healthBeauty folks—ahem, myself included—are always talking about antioxidants. These free-radical fighters should be a core part of your skin care and well-being routine, from serums to smoothies.
All antioxidants help offset oxidative stress and inflammaging. But depending on the specific type of antioxidants you consume, they also come with more targeted benefits.
Here are the best ones for skin health:
Vitamin C
- The science: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is required for collagen synthesis—it acts as a cofactor in stabilizing and cross-linking collagen fibers.¹
- Benefits: Supports firmer skin, brightens tone, and reduces wrinkle formation
- Foods to eat: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli
Carotenoids
- The science: These fat-soluble pigments accumulate in the skin and act as a secondary defense against UV damage.²
- Benefits: Improves skin tone and offers photoprotection
- Foods to eat: Cooked tomatoes (for lycopene), salmon (for astaxanthin), carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale
Polyphenols
- The science: These modulate inflammation pathways at the cellular level. Also supports the gut microbiome, which in turn influences skin health through the gut-skin axis.³
- Benefits: Calms inflammation and supports barrier function
- Foods to eat: Berries, green tea, and cacao
Focus less on an individual “superfood” and more on diversity. Rotating a wide range of colorful plants throughout the week ensures you’re getting a spectrum of antioxidants that work synergistically—supporting your skin from multiple angles at once.
+A rainbow of options
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A better way to wash your face |
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Many people equate that feeling of dry, tight skin after using a face wash with “cleanliness.” In reality, it’s a sign your skin barrier is compromised.
If your skin feels parched or even uncomfortable, it’s a sign you need to switch to a more gentle cream formula. Stat.
My suggestion?
NOW® Solutions Gentle Balance Cream Cleanser, a non-foaming and fragrance-free face wash that replenishes skin instead of stripping it of essential moisture.
- Olive oil, ceramides, and glycerin nurture the skin.
- Calendula and Centella asiatica soothe irritation and reduce redness.
- Bakuchiol supports gentle skin renewal to ease fine lines and improve the appearance of dark spots.
Together, these ingredients leave skin feeling soft, calm, and genuinely clean, rather than squeaky or stressed.
For best results, I recommend following the Gentle Balance Cream Cleanser with a full ritual based on your skin type.
+ My glowing recommendations:
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Beauty Break: Gut-skin axis |
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Image by ohlamour studio / Stocksy |
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This face wash moisturizes & comforts skin |
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Dew Tell: Environmental health impacts skin healthFor Earth Month, I’m taking a second to break down how your environment can impact hair and skin health. Here’s what the research shows:
- Airborne pollutants, like particulate matter (PM2.5), generate free radicals. This triggers collagen breakdown, disrupts lipid balance, and contributes to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and dark spots.⁴
- Emerging research also links environmental stressors to premature hair graying. Oxidative stress can damage melanocytes (the cells responsible for pigment), which may accelerate the loss of natural hair color over time.⁵
- Water contaminants (like heavy metals or chlorine byproducts) can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness, dullness, and irritation.⁶
What to do with this info: prioritize antioxidant support both topically and internally, cleanse to remove any pollution buildup in the skin (especially important at night), and don’t skip barrier-supporting basics like moisturizers and SPF.
And most importantly, care for the world around you by minimizing toxin exposure in your home, reducing waste where you can, and advocating for pro-environmental policy.
+ Home health
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Hope you enjoyed this little break—have a beautiful rest of your day.
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Want more from mindbodygreen? Find us here: |
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Alexandra Engler |
Senior Beauty Director |
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*These statements haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors’ opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we’re not responsible for their content. |
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