Elle Macpherson is Australia’s most iconic supermodel as well as a successful entrepreneur (she is the co-founder of wellness brand, WelleCo) and a mother of two sons. At 56 years old, Elle is the epitome of health and vitality and a go-to resource for fitness, lifestyle, and beauty inspiration. After all, who doesn’t want to know her secrets? Dr. Barbara Sturm sat down with Elle, who is a dear friend, to host a digital Skin School where they discussed Elle’s own skincare routine and the importance of healing, hydrating and repairing the skin for a healthy complexion. Elle also shared her lifestyle secrets, including her sleep habits, anti-inflammatory diet and her favorite WelleCo supplements. Here are some of the highlights from their intimate conversation:

1. The best barometer for how well you are is your skin

Elle explained that she has loved working with Dr. Sturm because she made her understand that “the best barometer for how well you are, is your skin.” She went on to say that, when you give your body the nutrients it needs, and the organs are able to function effectively, the by product is radiant skin. “I discovered this through my own wellness journey and when I combined it with your fantastic products, I just noticed so much difference.”

2. Fluids are essential for a healthy body and mind

Elle told Dr. Sturm that she keeps hydrated by drinking a mix of water, juices and her WelleCo Super Elixir Greens. “I drink a lot of water, probably three liters a day, and in that fluid is my greens, I may have a protein shake, I may have a sprouts juice as well on top of everything else and then I eat real food but I tend to be plant-based. And in the summer I like to be raw vegan – and then there’s such a variety of foods you can have with that.”

3. Inflammation is the root cause of all disease

Dr. Sturm explained that when she first met Elle, she was already working as an anti-inflammatory doctor and that it’s only now, that inflammation is becoming a more common conversation. “It’s good because inflammation, as you said, is the root cause of diseases, aging… so it’s important to understand the inflammatory triggers in your life – that could be no sleep, stress, diet, it could be the skincare you put on your skin. That’s why I’m always so militant about not doing acid peels, Retin-A, glycolic and lasers – it all causes inflammation on our skin.”  

SKIN SCHOOL WITH ELLE MACPHERSON: INFLAMMATION IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL DISEASE

4. Diet can have an effect on hyperpigmentation

“The sun has been my nemesis as far as my skin is concerned,” explained Elle. “If I can get rid of the sun damage, it takes ten years off my skin. But what I realized is when I changed my diet, I started to see a difference in my skin because the sun damage wasn’t only from being in the sun, it was also from inflammation and acidity in my diet. When I started to balance it out with my [WelleCo] products, believe it or not, my sun spots diminished. That and your Brightening products have really helped.”

WELLECO SUPER ELIXIR GREENS

5. Safe sun exposure is essential for your immune system

“The sun is really good for your Vitamin D and your immune system so I do go into the sunshine (I’m very fortunate, I live in Florida) but early in the morning,” explained Elle. “So 7 in the morning, I’m out and with as little clothing on as possible so I have the biggest surface of my skin getting those early morning rays, that are not damaging, but so important for the immune system.” Dr. Sturm agreed. “Natural Vitamin D is irreplaceable – you can take supplements but it’s not the same. It’s so important for not only our immune system but also our bones, our joints and Nitric Oxide which gets produced when we’re exposed to the sun.”

SKIN SCHOOL WITH ELLE MACPHERSON: SAFE SUN EXPOSURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

6. Great skin is about internal and external care

“You can’t just put stuff on your skin and then treat the inside of your body poorly and expect it not to show,” said Elle. “Our skin is our biggest organ and the biggest reflection of our wellbeing, so we do need to nourish it from the inside as well to get the best results and the quickest results.”

7. Hormonal changes can be helped with a balanced lifestyle

Dr. Sturm asked Elle about how, as a 56-year-old woman, she has dealt with hormonal changes. “For me, it’s the infrared sauna, hot and cold plunging, lowering the cortisol in the body through meditation through breathing really helps hormonally, love, laughter, water – they really support your endocrine system,” explained Elle. “I think it’s really about having a holistic perspective. I don’t choose to do any hormone replacement therapy – I don’t need to – but that doesn’t mean I don’t suffer from ups and downs. I’ve got more balanced in my spiritual, emotional and physical life, and as I’ve understood how my body works, I’ve really been able to manage those ups and downs.”

SKIN SCHOOL WITH ELLE MACPHERSON: HORMONAL CHANGES CAN BE HELPED WITH A BALANCED LIFESTYLE

8. Matcha tea can be a satisfying replacement for coffee

During the Q and A at the end of the conversation, Elle was asked what she recommended as a healthy coffee substitute. “I started doing matcha tea and I bought some coconut butter, so I do matcha tea and then I stick it in the Nutribullet with some coconut butter and I whip it up and it’s thick and creamy,” Elle explained. “It’s a great antioxidant and it’s great for energy. Plus, you get those beautiful fats that we so desperately need for our brain and our body so that is something you might want to look forward to waking up with.”

9. The importance of sleep

In a conversation with an attendee who had recently given birth, Dr. Sturm talked about the effects sleep deprivation can have on your body and mind. “I have a six-year-old so I’ve been through the sleepless nights and it’s hard on your body,” she explained. “I think it’s something your body needs to get used to so give it some time. If you don’t sleep, it causes a lot of inflammation but also memory loss and your immune system shuts down. I really recommend everyone to sleep at least eight hours.” Dr. Sturm went on to recommend her oral supplement, SLEEP FOOD which contains a blend of natural, herbal ingredients to help you relax and fall asleep sooner and deeper.

10. An alkaline lifestyle can lessen inflammation

Dr. Sturm and Elle were asked their thoughts on alkaline water and what they thought about the variety of water available. Elle explained that she thought filtration was more important and that alkalinity was perhaps delicate ground. “I do think that making sure you have an alkaline lifestyle is the way to go. There’s no point drinking alkaline water if you’re acidic because you’re angry and you’re fearful all the time because whatever you’re thinking or feeling is going to manifest in your body and create inflammation.” Elle continued to recommend a plant-based diet, movement, love, laughter, oxygen, sleep and low inflammatory proteins for a significant impact on our health.