As a naturopathic doctor, I spend the bulk of my time talking about health and wellness. Of course, I’m known as Dr. Bone Broth. And gut health is one of my favorite topics.

Very doctor-y, right?

But what you may have discovered if you follow me on Instagram is that I have another passion… looking great!

If you’re over there thinking, “But Dr. Kellyann! Shouldn’t you just be promoting feeling great? Isn’t looking great a form of vanity?”

And to that I would say, “Not a chance!”

I mean, let’s get real for a minute. If you’re doing the work of changing your diet and lifestyle, yes, you’re probably doing it to get healthier so you can keep up with your kids or grandkids, and enjoy your life to the fullest. 

But aren’t you also maybe… kinda-sorta… hoping you’ll look better in the process? I know I sure am!

So what I’m trying to say is that looking and feeling great go hand in hand and there is nothing vain about it. “Beauty” is one of my favorite things to immerse myself in, and if you love it too, you’ll enjoy my top tips for looking younger, feeling beautiful, and watching your confidence go through the roof as you give yourself the love and pampering you deserve.

Beauty & Anti-Aging Tip #1 — Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is one of my go-to beauty tricks because it’s thought to remove dry, dead skin cells, unclog pores, increase blood circulation, and help drain your lymphatic system (where toxins can build up). With a regular dry brushing practice, your skin can look healthy and glowy.

If you’ve never dry brushed before, go easy. Dry brushing should never hurt — if it does, lighten your touch or use a brush with softer bristles. As your skin gets used to the sensation, you’ll feel less sensitivity. 

Here’s how to dry brush like a pro:

• Buy a bristle brush that’s specifically designed for dry brushing. Make sure to choose a brush with a long handle so you can reach every part of your body. You might even want to buy a kit that includes several brushes, including a very gentle one for your face.
  
  
• Strip down and stand in the bathtub. Starting with the soles of your feet, brush every part of your body, moving upward toward your heart. Remember to be very gentle when you brush sensitive areas.
  
  
• When you’ve finished brushing, take a warm shower. Afterward, pat yourself dry and apply a good-quality skin cream or oil. 

Beauty & Anti-Aging Tip #2 — Make a Smart Salt Swap

When you work with some of the world’s best makeup artists, you learn a good tip or two. One I’ve heard over and over again? Salt can dry out your skin and make you look saggy, baggy, and old.

Yikes!

The good news is, not all salt is evil — unrefined Celtic sea salt and pink Himalayan salt are the “good guys.” If you love salt but hate looking older than you are, I suggest making these two your new best friends!

These unrefined mineral salts have no toxic additives. (Unlike table salt, which contains harsh and toxic chemicals, including bleaches and anti-caking agents.) Mineral salts also contain smaller amounts of sodium and chloride than table salt. Better yet, they boast more than eighty minerals — silicon, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium, being just a few — that energize your cells and help make you beautiful.

So, sprinkle on… but do it mindfully!

Beauty & Anti-Aging Tip #3 — Drink Yo Water

I know, I know. You’ve heard me talk about water endlessly, and guess what? I’m about to do it again. 

It’s that important.

The truth is, dried out skin cells leave you looking, well, dried out. Do you want to look dried out and deflated? Or would you rather your skin look plump, dewy, and vibrant?

Right. So grab that water and chug-a-lug!

I start every morning with a big glass of water with a lemon squeezed into it. This gives my skin a double dose of beautifying power — first from the water, and second from the vitamin C, which helps build collagen.

Better yet, add my Lemon Sips to your water. It features SOD B®, a natural, antioxidant-rich extract derived from cantaloupe that has been clinically proven to help restore skin elasticity and resilience, protect against UV skin damage, and help shrink fat cells below the skin surface. Among other things. (Plus, it’s absolutely delicious.)

I recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day (more if the weather is hot or you’re sweating a lot), so if you’re having trouble getting it all down, check out my list of hydration helpers. Find your perfect combo and get that water in your body!

Beauty & Anti-Aging Tip #4 — Watch Your Posture

You’re no slouch… so why present yourself as one?

Look, I know no one means to walk around looking like a stand-in for the Hunchback of Notre Dame. But hours and hours spent hunched over computers, phones, desks, you name it, can really do a number on our backs, shoulders, and necks. And believe it or not, all this slouching can prevent our lungs and digestive systems from functioning at their best. Improving your posture aligns your joints, bones, and organs and helps them work the way they should.

Bonus: standing and sitting up straight can make you look younger and lighter, and may even help you feel happier and more energetic. Sounds pretty beautiful to me!

Beauty & Anti-Aging Tip #5 — Flip Your Lid

Here’s a beauty tip I bet you’ve never heard: stand on your head!

Yes, I’m serious.

This beauty tip comes courtesy of my friend, Kathy Smith, and here’s the thought behind it: when you stand on your head, you dramatically increase circulation to the skin of your face. This helps clean out the toxins that age your skin, while bathing it in nutrients that make it look young and healthy. 

I’m not saying you have to be upside down for hours a day — a minute or three is all it takes. If your neck (or any other part of you) won’t cooperate, just hang your head over the edge of your bed. Same idea, and you should still get the same great results.

Bonus Tip: Add BellaBiotics to Your Daily Routine

BellaBiotics are my new secret weapon and holy cow, are the testimonials rolling in for this revolutionary once-a-day capsule that literally retrains your skin’s behavior. How? By targeting your skin and gut microbiomes from a cellular level to help restore your skin’s elasticity, smooth out wrinkles, and protect against ultraviolet damage from electronic devices. It also boosts your body’s collagen and elastin production, and even improves your digestive health. In one capsule! 

Sign. Me. Up!

The Beauty of Beauty    

Of course the most important steps you can take to look and feel beautiful are eating right (including drinking Bone Broth each day), getting enough good, quality sleep, and managing your stress. But I hope these favorite beauty tips of mine help you look and feel even better. After all, a confident woman is a massive asset to this world. Let your light shine, my friend!