Written by Kory Morse, MS, Head of Education at Shed
When it comes to healthy skin, the products you use matter—but they’re only part of the story.
From the moment you wake up to the time you lay your head down at night, your skin is in constant conversation with your environment. Sunlight, stress, sweat, city air, screen time, sleep (or lack thereof) . . . every choice you make either works with or against your skin’s natural rhythms.
Modern dermatology is shifting—and it’s no longer just about spot treatments or surface fixes. It’s about understanding the full picture: your lifestyle, your environment, and how your skin responds.
Here are just a few of the external forces that could be quietly shaping your skin.
Air quality and pollution
Urban smog and fine particulate matter don’t just dull your glow—they can accelerate skin aging and worsen conditions like acne or eczema.
Sleep and circadian health
Your skin has its own clock. Inflammation and repair cycles follow a rhythm, and disrupted sleep can throw those healing windows off balance.
Chronic stress
When cortisol is high, collagen can suffer. Stress doesn’t just live in your mind—it leaves a mark on your skin, too.
Climate and hydration
Dry air, extreme heat, humidity—each requires a different strategy for protecting your skin barrier. The amount of water you drink will also impact your skin barrier.
Digital exposure
Screens don’t just affect your sleep. Blue light from devices may contribute to oxidative stress and uneven pigmentation over time.
Diet
Nutrient-poor, highly processed foods can drive inflammation from the inside out. Sugar, refined carbs, and ultra-processed oils may disrupt your gut-skin axis, increase breakouts, and impair collagen production. On the flip side, whole foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and hydration can support smoother, more resilient skin.
A holistic approach to skincare
The truth? Great skin is rarely accidental. It’s the result of daily choices, micro-adjustments, and personalized care.
Creams, serums, supplements, and prescription medications have their place, and we’re proud to offer them. But they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
At Shed, we believe that skin health is integral to whole-body health. That’s why we’re building more than just a dermatology offering—we’re curating a complete wellness journey. One that pairs science-backed treatments with lifestyle support, such as a nutrition plan and educational resources to help you understand not just what to use, but why your skin behaves the way it does.
We can’t wait to give you the full picture—and help you feel good in your skin, inside and out.
Stay tuned. Your skin is about to meet its most holistic routine yet.
FAQs
Which foods help or hurt skin health?
For glowing skin, keep foods like berries, bell peppers, leafy greens, fatty fish, and nuts in regular rotation. To help prevent breakouts, avoid foods like milk, soda, white bread, and chocolate.
What is the gut-skin axis?
This refers to the communication pathway between the gut microbiome and the skin. The two systems communicate constantly, and problems with one can lead to problems with the other. For example, imbalances in gut bacteria can trigger inflammation and contribute to skin issues like acne and rosacea.
Does blue light damage skin?
The blue light emitted from digital screens can accelerate skin aging and may cause hyperpigmentation over time. Limiting screen time or trying a blue light filter can help mitigate this.
Why is sleep so important for skin health?
Your body repairs and regenerates skin cells while you sleep, which helps with collagen production and reduces inflammation. Insufficient sleep can lead to short-term effects like dark circles under your eyes and acne breakouts, and chronic sleep loss can accelerate skin aging.
What lifestyle changes can I make to support a healthy, youthful-looking complexion?
Anything that supports overall health can help keep your skin bright and radiant. Make sure you’re eating a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels.
