Yoga teacher Libby Stevenson shares three yoga poses that nourish and improve the skin by improving circulation and eliminating toxins from the body…

In the quest for smoother, healthier and happier skin, many of us reach for the latest skincare products, packed with new ingredients promising instant results.

However, it turns out that good skin could start from within – and one key way to improve your skin is through promoting better circulation and eliminating toxins from the body, something that you can achieve through performing certain yoga poses.

With this in mind, we caught up with yoga teacher Libby Stevenson, who shares three different yoga poses that will improve your skin, along with a step-by-step guide for each to help you perfect your form…

3 yoga poses that will improve your skin

1. Downward facing dog

The head below the heart promotes more efficient circulation of blood to all the organs of your body, including the skin.

How to perform downward facing dog:

1. Start on hands and knees.
2. Press into your hands and lift your knees and hips.
3. Keep your head between your arms, toes in line with heels and feet a comfortable distance apart.
4. Bring your chest towards your thighs.
5. Knees can be bent and heels can be raised.

2. Seated spinal twist

This abdominal twist squeezes the digestive organs to stimulate the elimination of toxins from the gut.

How to perform a seated spinal twist:

1. Sit with legs stretched out, spine upright, hands on mat by hips.
2. Cross your left leg over the right, with the sole of your left foot flat on the mat.
3. Hug your left knee with the right arm and place your right hand on the outer thigh of your left leg.
4. Inhale, then on the exhale, keeping sit bones on the mat, twist to the left (left hand is on the mat with fingers pointing away from the body).
5. Turn your head to look over the left shoulder.

3. Legs up the wall

A blissfully relaxing pose that improves circulation and relaxes the gut, for more efficient digestion.

How to perform legs up the wall:

1. Start sitting, with knees bent and the side of your body making contact with a wall.
2. Spin your body so your legs flip up onto the wall, while your hips, spine and head are on the mat.
3. Place your arms away from your body, palms facing up.
4. Place a cushion under your lower back for more comfort.

More inspiration: Test – which type of yoga is right for me?

Words: Libby Stevenson | Images: Shutterstock