What girl doesn’t want to have smooth, soft, glowing skin? Well the perfect remedy is as easy as what you put in your mouth. Food is an important part of one’s health, especially to one’s beauty. The phrase “You are what you eat,” describes exactly how the food you eat affects your body. When you don’t drink enough water, your skin becomes dry and flaky; when you don’t eat enough vitamins and minerals your skin loses its elasticity and its color fades. The food we eat is a powerful tool in keeping your skin looking beautiful. What you eat can improve your skin tone, texture, evenness and clarity. Therefore it’s important to pack your diet filled with foods to keep your skin soft, smooth, and glowing.
Oranges– Oranges are part of a large group of citrus fruits that are loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production which protects against wrinkles. Collagen is a protein that forms the structure of skin. As we age collagen begins to breakdown, which causes the skin to sag. Consuming extra vitamin C can keep the skintight and prevent premature wrinkles. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which neutralizes free radicals that can damage cells. Therefore vitamin C can fight against inflammation and reduce prematurely aging skin. Include fruits with loads of vitamin C in your daily diet such as oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, Clementine’s, tangerines, lemons and limes.
Sweet Potatoes– Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which in the body is converted to vitamin A. Vitamin A acts like an antioxidant to prevent cell damage and premature aging. It helps skin to produce new cells and rid the skin of old cells. As cells age they lose their ability to hold moisture, causing skin to look dry. When old cells slough off the new cells underneath are bright and give skin a youthful appearance. Vitamin A also has been used for years to fight against acne. Acne medications such as Retin A contain vitamin A to reduce the appearance of acne on the skin. By consuming vitamin A and beta-carotene from fresh fruits and vegetables the body can reduce the appearance of acne on the skin. These vitamins appear in red, orange and green vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach.
Almonds– Almonds contain vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids. These components keep the skin soft and give it a youthful appearance. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which fights against skin aging free radicals. Vitamin E also protects the skin from sun damage due to exposure to UV sunlight. With too much exposure to the sun, skin can become dry and wrinkled, however vitamin E helps the skin to hold onto moisture making it more supple and younger looking. When paired with selenium, it enhances the antioxidants abilities that both vitamin E and selenium have on the skins appearance. Choose from a variety of nuts such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts to give your skin a softer and more youthful complexion.
Whole Grains- Whole grains contain B vitamins and rutin to help clear the skin and keep it moisturized. Rutin is an antioxidant found in buckwheat, which helps to combat inflammation related skin damage. Inflammation can actually age skin faster especially in the cases of inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis. By reducing inflammation within the skin you can stop prematurely aging skin. Biotin, a B vitamin found in wheat germ is necessary for cell growth and division. It increases the rate of metabolism, which assists cells in processing fats. Biotin is known for maintaining healthy skin, hair and muscle tone and low levels of biotin in the body are known to cause dry and scaly skin. The use of processed and refined flour in foods has shown to increase insulin in the body which in turn can encourage acne, however by switching these with whole grains you can limit the appearance of acne on the skin, ultimately improving your complexion.
Oysters– Oysters contain omega 3 fatty acids and zinc both of which help to keep skin looking smooth, clear and glowing. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce the look of inflammation and dryness. A low omega 3 fatty acid intake can contribute to inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Omega 3 fatty acids are also heart healthy because they keep arteries clear of blockage. Good circulation is vital to keep skin looking beautiful therefore when nutrient rich blood is able to circulate throughout the body easily the skin and all other parts of the body remain healthy and functioning properly. Zinc is an acne-fighting mineral. Sebum is the oily substance in the pores, which causes the appearance of acne. Zinc helps to metabolize testosterone, which affects the production of sebum. Zinc is also vital in the new cell production and sloughing off dead cells. Once dead cells slough off the skin is left with a youthful glow. Other seafood to include in your diet is salmon, albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, trout, and sardines.
Sarah Labdar, “Foods for Beautiful Looking Skin”, Better Health