It’s not just environmental factors, excessive sun exposure or bad habits such as smoking that will affect the appearance of your skin. Just as food has a direct impact on your body, it will also affect your skin and what you eat will be reflected in the health of your skin. Flawless, healthy and glowing skin is something we all aspire to have and can usually attributed to good genes, however, there are foods you should be eating to keep your skin naturally radiant and brighter looking.
Water
Keeping your skin hydrated is essential when it comes to keeping it looking healthy and glowing. Being slightly dehydrated will affect the condition of the skin and speeds up the aging process. As we age, the skin finds it hard to retain moisture, so drinking plenty of water will help to keep it supple and hydrated which will slow the effects of aging and fine lines.
Cooked tomatoes
When tomatoes are cooked, lycopene, the antioxidant which is present in them, becomes easier for the body to absorb and these powerful antioxidants are extremely good at neutralising free radicals which damage our cells and affect aging. Lycopene has also been found to boost the production of collagen which helps keep skin structure.
Bananas
Foods that are yellow in colour contain powerful antioxidants called carotenoids which help to repair cell damage. Bananas are also beneficial to the good bacteria in our body which help in reducing toxins which can harm the skin. For a quick fix at reducing fine lines and circles around the eyes, rub banana skin under the eyes as it is full of potassium.
Oily fish
Fish such as mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are essential in reducing inflammation of the skin and preserving collagen. It also helps to keep cell membranes healthy allowing nutrients in and waste out. Cell membranes need to be fortified as they help cells retain their moisture; the more moisture, the plumper the appearance of the skin.
Oysters
Zinc is also needed for healthy radiant skin as it boost the production of collagen and a lack of it can cause unsightly stretch marks on the skin, a dull complexion and discolorations. Zinc is also an important element when it comes to controlling and regulating hormones and skin outbreaks are cause by hormone imbalances. It keeps the skin soft and speeds up any healing in our body, including the skin. Other sources of zinc are wheat germ, liver and whole grains.
Avocado
Packed full of Vitamin E, avocadoes are definitely a ‘beauty food’. The vitamin protects against free radicals, helps skin uphold its moisture levels and slows the aging of cells. The healthy fats found in avocadoes also contribute by keeping the skin plump, which in turn reduces the signs of wrinkles. A mashed up avocado applied to the face can be used as a nutrient rich face mask.
Eggs
Eggs are rich in Vitamin B which helps us maintain a healthy skin tone and a lack of it can leave us looking unhealthy and washed out. It helps give the skin a healthy glow and aids in releasing the energy from the food we eat, which the skin needs. Vitamin B can also be found in soya, poultry and whole grains.
Carrots
Not only a crunchy snack, but carrots contain antioxidants which significantly help to reduce skin cancer. They are also rich in vitamin A which keeps the skin supple, repairs damaged skin cells, help skin cell production and maintains the PH balance on the skin surface so it can guard against bacteria.
Leafy green veg
Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage or bok choy, contain antioxidants which help to protect our cells from any damage caused by stress or environmental factors by limiting the growth of damaged or abnormal cells. These greens are also rich in iron which helps carry blood, oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body and to the skin. A pale or dull complexion can be a result of a lack of iron.
Vitamin C
There are many things which can deplete our vitamin C levels, such as smoking, sun exposure or stress, but it is a vital component in the production of collagen which keeps the skin firm. The production of collagen declines as we age causing wrinkles. Boosting your vitamin C intake will help collagen production and ensure skin retains is elasticity.
