Dr. Nigma Talib has sparkling eyes, glowing skin, and lustrous hair—a testament to the beauty-highlighting benefits of her holistic approach to health. She’s a leading naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, where she’s known for her inside-out approach to skin care. (Penelope Cruz, Kate Bosworth, and Rosie are among her many fans.) “People are focusing too much on using products on the outside when really, whatever you're doing on the inside is going to affect the outside,” she says. Here, she outlines four ways to create visibly healthier skin in as little as 30 days.
Because they do. “We're not getting enough quality sleep,” Dr. Talib says. “That causes an imbalance in the hormone cortisol, which then causes full-on hormonal issues,” she says. And “issues” is a polite way to put it. Elevated cortisol levels are associated with stress, not to mention an increase in breakouts. (Those deep, stubborn pimples that pop up when you’re extremely stressed? Blame a spike in cortisol.)
So before applying all the topical acne treatments, try making sleep a priority. Around eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is a good goal, Dr. Talib says. “Go to sleep at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning,” she advises. “That helps set your body’s internal clock much better.” Wise advice to remember the next time you’re considering a late-night Netflix binge.
“What people eat is going to be a huge part of how their skin changes,” Dr. Talib says. And as it turns out, cakes and candies are terrific for your skin. Just kidding, it’s the opposite. (But come on… you suspected as much, right?) “Every time you have sugar, inflammation happens in your skin,” Dr. Talib says. “That causes sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
The root cause begins in your digestive system, where sugar interferes with the delicate balance of bacteria in your gut. “It’s kind of like Gremlins eating after midnight,” she says. “Sugar makes the bacteria go crazy and have a massive party at your expense. That overgrowth of bacteria causes an imbalance of your skin microbiome.” So the next time you crave something sweet, opt for low-glycemic fruits such as grapefruit, pears, cherries, or blueberries.
If you’re prone to acne, Dr. Talib recommends looking at your dairy consumption. “Cow's milk contains some hormones that contribute to acne and inflammation,” she says. (Indeed, recent research indicates that teenagers who consumed low-fat milk experienced more acne than their peers who did not.) “If you really want to get rid of the acne, you need to cut dairy out—at least for a bit,” she says. If you choose to replace dairy milk with a plant-based milk, choose unsweetened versions to avoid an unintentional sugar rush.
Gluten, too, can trigger skin problems. “It can cause dermatitis, increase the risk of pigmentation, and cause sensitivity to things you never used to be sensitive to,” Dr. Talib says. So pass on the croissant—and the wine, too, while you’re at it. Dr. Talib notes that even one glass can simultaneously trigger hormonal changes and dehydrate skin. Ideally, Dr. Talib says, you’ll swap out these foods for a diet that’s richer in vegetables—for about a month, at least. “It’s just about seeing how you feel for 30 days, and seeing how your skin looks,” she notes.
Researchers are only beginning to understand the full scope and power of the human body’s microbiome, but emerging research suggests that if you balance your belly bacteria, your skin benefits as well. For instance, rosacea patients tend to have an overgrowth of bacteria in their intestines, and oral probiotics are beginning to be used as part of acne treatment therapy. In her practice, Dr. Talib typically starts patients on Healthy Flora probiotics. “It has lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, two good forms of good bacteria,” she says.
“People are using way too many products,” Dr. Talib says. “They’re dabbling and mixing three different serums and five different creams.” Here’s what your skin actually needs, she says. A gentle, non-stripping cleanser is essential. “Look for something that’s going to hydrate and brighten,” she says. (Her own cleanser just launched.) “Then, get a good hyaluronic acid serum and seal it in with an oil-free cream.” Finally, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable; Dr. Talib likes formulas by Heliocare. Bonus: more shelf space in your medicine cabinet.
For most of us, healthy skin doesn’t happen by accident—it’s maintained with attention and care. But a future of soft, radiant skin (not to mention the benefits of eating well and sleeping soundly!) is worth a little effort.
A hydrating skin tint that delivers powerful skincare and sheer,...
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
130
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
120
Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
110
Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
100
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
090
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Olive Undertone
080
Medium Tan Skin Tone/ Peach Undertone
070
Medium Skin Tone/Peach Undertone
060
Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
050
Medium Skin Tone/ Pink Undertone
040
Light to Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
030
Light Skin Tone/ Warm Golden Undertone
020
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
010
Fair Skin Tone/ Cool Pink Undertone
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
Illuminating, protecting and non-comedogenic
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
Blending, diffusing and vegan
A pair of pigment-rich eyeshadows that visibly smooth delicate skin.
Satin Copper/Copper Shimmer
Satin Cocoa/White Gold Shimmer
Satin Plum/Lavender Shimmer
Satin Olive/Khaki Shimmer
Satin Copper/Copper Shimmer
Pigment-rich, lustrous and versatile
A petite, flexible fan brush designed to effortlessly sweep shimmer...
Diffusing, flexible and vegan
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
Hydrating, illuminating and non-comedogenic
A barrier-protecting micellar cleansing gel-cream that dissolves makeup and pollution.
Cleansing, barrier-protecting and anti-pollution
Two cooling facial massagers that support lymphatic drainage to visibly...
Depuffing, calming and brightening
A rich, glossy mascara that lengthens, lifts and fortifies lashes.
Lifting, lengthening and fortifying
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Brightening, blurring and refillable
A does-it-all concealer that brightens, blurs and contours while nourishing...
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 190
Very Deep Skin Tone, Cool Red Undertone
LX 180
Deep Skin Tone, Warm Neutral Undertone
LX 170
Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 160
Deep Skin Tone, Red Undertone
LX 150
Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 140
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 130
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Warm Golden Undertone
LX 120
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 110
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 100
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 090
Medium Skin Tone, Olive Undertone
LX 080
Medium Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 070
Medium Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 060
Medium Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 050
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 040
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Golden Neutral Undertone
LX 030
Light Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 020
Light Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 010
Fair Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
Brightening, blurring and nourishing
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
Besotted
Beige pink
Hypnotic
Sandy beige
Poetic
Muted coral
Enigmatic
Terracotta pink
Persuasive
Warm rose
Graceful
Golden brown
Poised
Deep brick
Demure
Cool blush
Intuitive
Deep mauve
Eloquent
Soft plum
Besotted
Beige pink
Line-blurring, plumping and softening
A mistake-proof bronzer that instantly warms the complexion while blurring...
Capri
Deep
Seychelles
Medium-deep
Kauai
Medium
Parrot Cay
Light
Capri
Deep
Smoothing, antioxidant-rich and non-comedogenic
A velvet-soft cream that illuminates the complexion while smoothing...
Lustrous
Rich copper
Glancing
Rosy bronze
Prismatic
Warm gold
Opalescent
Cool pink
Brilliant
Pearl
Lustrous
Rich copper
Illuminating, smoothing and non-comedogenic
Tinted Serum 130 Deluxe
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
Tinted Serum 110 Deluxe
Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
Tinted Serum 080 Deluxe
Medium Tan Skin Tone/ Peach Undertone
Tinted Serum 060 Deluxe
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
Tinted Serum 040 Deluxe
Light to Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
Tinted Serum 020 Deluxe
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
Tinted Serum 130 Deluxe
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
Two mini versions of our bestselling shades and one limited...
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
Wisteria
Coral pink
Anemone
Coral
Heliotrope
Apricot
Delphine
Muted peach
Daylily
Rich taupe
Foxglove
Warm terracotta
Ophelia
True pink
Camellia
Mauve
Hibiscus
Bright plum
Azalea
Berry
Dahlia
Deep berry
Hydrangea
Light cool pink
A hydrating cream that brightens and blurs with a radiant...
A hydrating skin tint that delivers powerful skincare and sheer,...
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
130
Deep Skin Tone/Neutral Undertone
120
Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
110
Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
100
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Golden Undertone
090
Medium Deep Skin Tone/Olive Undertone
080
Medium Tan Skin Tone/ Peach Undertone
070
Medium Skin Tone/Peach Undertone
060
Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
050
Medium Skin Tone/ Pink Undertone
040
Light to Medium Skin Tone/ Neutral Undertone
030
Light Skin Tone/ Warm Golden Undertone
020
Light Skin Tone/Warm Peach Undertone
010
Fair Skin Tone/ Cool Pink Undertone
140
Very Deep Skin Tone/Red Undertone
A hydrating skin tint that delivers powerful skincare and sheer,...
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
An angled brush designed for control and seamless blending along...
A pearlescent cream that diminishes the appearance of dark circles...
A pearlescent cream that diminishes the appearance of dark circles...
Two cooling facial massagers that support lymphatic drainage to visibly...
Two cooling facial massagers that support lymphatic drainage to visibly...
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
Besotted
Beige pink
Hypnotic
Sandy beige
Poetic
Muted coral
Enigmatic
Terracotta pink
Persuasive
Warm rose
Graceful
Golden brown
Poised
Deep brick
Demure
Cool blush
Intuitive
Deep mauve
Eloquent
Soft plum
Besotted
Beige pink
Creamy lipstick that plumps the lips while drenching delicate skin...
A does-it-all concealer that brightens, blurs and contours while nourishing...
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 190
Very Deep Skin Tone, Cool Red Undertone
LX 180
Deep Skin Tone, Warm Neutral Undertone
LX 170
Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 160
Deep Skin Tone, Red Undertone
LX 150
Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 140
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 130
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Warm Golden Undertone
LX 120
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 110
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 100
Medium/Deep Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 090
Medium Skin Tone, Olive Undertone
LX 080
Medium Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 070
Medium Skin Tone, Golden Undertone
LX 060
Medium Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 050
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 040
Light/Medium Skin Tone, Golden Neutral Undertone
LX 030
Light Skin Tone, Pink Undertone
LX 020
Light Skin Tone, Peach Undertone
LX 010
Fair Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
LX 200
Very Deep Skin Tone, Neutral Undertone
A does-it-all concealer that brightens, blurs and contours while nourishing...
A customized concealer brush with a unique curve engineered for...
A customized concealer brush with a unique curve engineered for...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...
A powerful hydrating serum that instantly brightens the complexion with...