Ask a Skin Specialist: What is holistic skincare?
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If you consider yourself a bit of a beauty buff, you’ve probably heard the buzz around holistic skincare.
And with Canberra’s climate (hello, hot dry summers, freezing winters and harsh UV rays) playing havoc on your skin – let alone natural hormonal shifts and the demands of a busy lifestyle – you might be wondering if it’s the right approach for you.
But what actually is it and do you need to commit to drinking green juice and doing yoga every day to see results? We decided to ask an expert to find out.
Welcome to ‘Ask a Skin Specialist’, our new series where we sit down with the founder of Skin Wellness Academy, Kim Le Sambolec, to answer all of your burning skincare questions.
What actually is holistic skincare and how does it differ from conventional skincare approaches?
Holistic skincare focuses on treating the root causes of skin concerns including nutrition stress hormones gut health and environmental factors rather than just addressing surface symptoms.
What led you to take a holistic approach to skincare?
My journey to holistic skincare started with severe acne but also a debilitating gut imbalance that led to chronic spontaneous urticaria. For years I relied on medication just to be able to leave the house without scratching myself to the point of bleeding.
Despite trying countless products and treatments, nothing worked long-term until I looked beyond the surface and started addressing internal imbalances, nutrition, stress and gut health alongside professional skincare.
This transformation inspired me to create Skin Wellness Academy, where my team of Dermal Skin Specialists helps clients achieve long term skin health by addressing both internal and external factors.
Why should I add holistic skincare to my routine?
Skincare products and treatments are only effective if your skin is healthy from the inside out. Canberra’s harsh climate hormonal fluctuations and high stress levels can weaken the skin barrier leading to dehydration irritation and sensitivity.
Do I need to start from scratch, or can I integrate holistic skincare into my existing routine?
There’s no need to overhaul everything! Small, targeted changes can make a huge difference.
For example, you can switch to bioavailable ingredients like ceramides, essential fatty acids and Vitamin C for better absorption or time treatments around hormonal and seasonal shifts to prevent congestion, breakouts, dryness and pigmentation. Another thing you can do is strengthen the skin barrier with hydration and lipid-rich ingredients to keep it resilient.
Holistic skincare is about enhancing your routine to work smarter, not harder.
Do I need to drink green juice and do yoga daily to see results?
Not at all! Holistic skincare isn’t about extreme wellness trends; it’s about practical informed choices that work for your skin and lifestyle.
Simple changes like hydrating properly, managing stress, eating nutrient-rich foods and adjusting skincare with the seasons can make a big impact. The key is bioavailability choosing ingredients and nutrients that your skin and body can actually use for repair and regeneration.
How does Skin Wellness Academy consider overall health and lifestyle?
As university-qualified Dermal Clinicians, we combine holistic skincare, bioavailable ingredients, nutritional guidance and lifestyle adjustments with clinical expertise, scientific knowledge, dermatological technology, and professional treatments.
For Canberra women who might be experiencing dryness, sun damage, acne, hormonal changes or aging concerns, this means a personalised science-backed plan to keep the skin strong nourished and protected through every stage of life.
What’s one simple change someone new to holistic skincare can make today?
Prioritise your skin barrier!
At Skin Wellness Academy, we don’t focus on brands we focus on what’s inside the product. The ingredients’ formulation and pH balance matter more than the label.
For more information or to book a consultation, visit skinwellnessacademy.com.
