What do the glowiest people we know have in common? You can pretty much guarantee they practice yoga—and as a result emanate positive vibes and the kind of palpable radiance that comes from a place of deep self-love and self-care. As the adage goes, “Happy girls are the prettiest,” so as a means to achieve such infectious allure for ourselves, we asked some of our favorite yogis to spill their secrets. From feel-good foods to skincare saviors, here are the salubrious habits they swear by.
Inner & Outer Beauty, According To Yogis
"I have eczema, so my skin is super sensitive and I have to be very careful with what I put on it. Because I'm usually sweating in a heated yoga room, breakouts and eczema flare-ups have huge potential. I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser followed by Kiehl's Skin Rescuer to stay fresh-faced and breakout-free!"
—Alexis Novak, yoga instructor, Los Angeles
"Having healthy skin is important from your face to your feet. I mostly use products that have a functional aspect besides just moisturizing my skin, like Life-Flo Magnesium Lotion. The magnesium actually has a calming effect—I use it at night before bed. Other days I take an Epsom salt bath to unwind."
—Kimberly Fowler, founder, YAS Fitness Centers, Los Angeles
"I recently decluttered my entire routine. To cleanse, I just wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar, followed by disinfecting face pads and an oil-free moisturizer. My favorite makeup to give my skin a glowy look is from RMS Beauty."
—Sarah Levey, founder, Y7Studio
"When you're always sweating and running around town makeup-free, it's so important to take care of your skin! I have used Dermalogica face wash and moisturizer for years. After I wash my face, I always use Mario Badescu Facial Spray with rosewater before I put on moisturizer. I also keep another bottle in my yoga bag to refresh my skin. I love it, and it's only seven dollars!"
—Melissa Eckman, yoga instructor and model, Los Angeles
"I’ve always had sensitive skin, so the fancier the skin regimen, the more likely I am to break out. So I like to keep it simple: I wash my face with a homemade tonic of organic apple cider vinegar, distilled water and a blend of lavender and geranium essential oils. I love the simplicity of Fresh's Umbrian Clay Lotion for daily moisturizing, and always keep Vapour Beauty's Aura stick in Artemis (my signature color) in my bag for a quick splash of life on my lips and cheeks."
—Kathryn Budig, founder, Aim True Yoga
"Taking good care of our skin is crucial as we age, and regular maintenance is key. I used to feel indulgent getting monthly facials, but my body is my instrument and it needs TLC. Also, I load up on moisturizer—I use carrot-seed oil morning and night along with a tinted sunscreen on top. Every girl should find a great tinted sunscreen!"
—Nicole Sciacca, yoga instructor, Playlist Yoga
"I have one rule when it comes to food: Eat when you're hungry, eat sanely and eat regularly. I try to avoid refined sugars and processed food (anything that comes in a box) and stick to whole foods—not the place, but actual full, nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. It's also important to slip up from a strict food regimen from time to time. Restriction not only deprives your body, it harms your mind."
"I start my day with hot water and lemon. I also like green juices—my favorites at the moment are Glow and Radiant Skin, both by Renew Juicery. I'm obsessed with my water intake—I number and date my water bottles. I can see a difference in my skin from day to day if I'm not hydrated."
"Colorful foods make me feel nourished, happy and strong. I swear by drinking a warm cup of lemon water (sometimes with turmeric) in the morning, even before coffee. Then I regularly eat two eggs, one egg white and half an avocado right away. I've read the protein and good fat allow the turmeric to be better absorbed, and I feel nourished and energized all before 8am. My son and I love fresh carrot juice so that is a big hit in the morning as well. I also like to make a smoothie—this is how I get my 3-year-old son to drink his veggies!"
1 banana 2 cups spinach or kale Half an avocado 1 cup mango (rich in vitamin C) 1/2 cup blueberries Vanilla or chocolate plant-based protein powder 2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste) 1 cup cashew milk
"I have sensitive, acne-prone skin so I have to pay extra attention to it especially post-workout. I always keep a change of clothes and The Honest Company Body Wipes in my gym bag. After I work out, I always wipe my chest and back and then change into a new top. It may seem like a lot, but sitting in your sweaty sports bra will result in body acne. I also make sure to use a toner on my back and chest every night followed by a lightweight moisturizer."
"It sounds simple, but staying hydrated makes a huge difference. I also make a concerted effort to clean my face before I workout (if I’m wearing any makeup), and to use my face toner after sweating. I swear by a mixture of activated charcoal, coconut oil and apple cider vinegar for spot treatments."
"Anything, anyone and any situation you will be put in will first start with yourself, and if you want to bring love into the world, it has to start with you. Everyone around us is terrified, insecure, hopeful, silly and really trying the best they can be, so having patience and knowing those human feelings unites us to everyone else. We sometimes think it isolates us when we have these feelings, but they are shared. That mixed with putting our love foot forward is a great stepping stone for real self-growth and self-confidence."
"Start to do things out of your comfort zone—you are capable of so much more than you think, and you have to give yourself the chance to see that. With tiny accomplishments comes gratitude and self-love."
"I can’t stress how important it is to practice self-love and give your body exactly what it needs. It is important to know that [self-love] always starts with the inside, and you need to stop being so hard on yourself. There are enough people out there that will judge you and criticize you, but when you come to your yoga mat every day you have the choice to honor your body and uplift yourself. Your practice should make you feel beautiful because you are able to focus on the all of the positives in your life and let go of the negative that doesn’t serve a purpose. Once you learn to love and support yourself unconditionally, anything is possible."
"My advice to anyone on a quest to love themselves from the inside out is this: 'No one is you. THAT is your superpower.' I found that quote and posted it on my Instagram because it rang so true for me. Whenever I find myself on a quest for self acceptance and love, I come back to the basics. There is no other 'me,' strengths, imperfections and all. How incredible!"
