Dr Libby's guide to restoring your skin from the inside out
Meet Sophie. At 38, she felt like her skin had turned against her – hormonal breakouts, redness that wouldn’t settle and a dullness no expensive cream could fix.
She asked, “It’s like my skin thinks I’m a teenager again. Is this just ageing, or can I actually improve my skin?”
If you can relate, you’re not alone. Acne, eczema and premature ageing aren’t just skin-deep – they reflect what’s happening inside your body. And when we notice, it gives us an opportunity to make some fresh choices. These might be related to how you eat, drink, move, sleep, think, breathe, believe or perceive.
Where Dr Libby would start:
Today: Hydrate. Your skin’s moisture comes from within – make water your main drink.
This week: Prioritise whole foods, cut back on ultra-processed foods, refined sugars and inflammatory oils and boost your antioxidants. Skin Nutrition provides a tried and tested combination of a superstar antioxidant called superoxide dismutase (from melons) and ultra-potent grapeseed extract, along with wholefood vitamin C, silica, zinc and botanicals to support collagen production and a radiant complexion.
Trial dairy-free: In my clinical experience, any skin issues like congestion, pimples and rosacea tend to improve when cow’s milk protein is removed. Try four weeks strictly without it (this means all dairy products, not just milk) – if nothing changes, you can reintroduce it. If your skin clears and you want to keep going with this way of eating, consult a nutrition professional for guidance on maintaining a nourishing, dairy-free diet.
This month: Support the systems that impact skin clarity and brightness.
• Liver support: Your liver plays a major role in detoxification, hormone metabolism and inflammation control – all of which affect your skin. Increase bitter greens, cruciferous vegetables and herbs like turmeric and St Mary’s thistle. Liver Love is packed with these if you want extra support.
• Boost zinc intake: Zinc is crucial for skin repair, inflammation control and hormone balance. It also helps to regulate oil production and strengthens your skin barrier. Since food sources of zinc aren’t as widely spread as they once were, Organic Zinc can help keep your levels optimal.
This year: Small, consistent habits make the biggest difference.
• Address stress: Chronic stress depletes collagen, disrupts healing and triggers breakouts. Consider how you can shift your perception of pressure (save this for when you really need it), embrace breathwork and spend more time in nature to regulate your nervous system.
• Limit alcohol & caffeine: Both dehydrate the skin, disrupt sleep and fuel inflammation. Alcohol burdens the liver, affecting detoxification, while caffeine can elevate adrenaline, worsening stress-related skin concerns. Swap in herbal teas or mineral-rich broths for a gentler alternative.
Two-and-a-half months in, Sophie’s skin is brighter, her breakouts have eased (she reports having had two new pimples in this time), her pores are smaller, and all the additional support has also improved her energy, sleep quality and sense of calm.
Be patient and kind to yourself. Real, lasting skin transformation takes time, but small daily choices add up to powerful results.
