There’s only so much beauty products will be able to do for your skin as they target and treat the external layers only. Inner beauty cannot reflect on the outside until you treat your skin right by consuming certain foods. It is no secret that oily, fried and processed foods routinely lead to break outs and diminish the elusive glow that we all strive to achieve. Here is a list of foods that you can have for beautiful skin.
Vitamin C rich foods:
Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and actively works on promoting the elasticity of your skin. Even though your body produces collagen, it tends to slow down with time. This gives you all the more reason to increase your intake of vitamin C rich foods such as avocado, berries (also rich in antioxidants), kiwis and bell peppers (yellow, orange and red).
Nuts and Seeds:
Nuts contain the good fats that our bodies require for proper functioning. These include walnuts (especially recommended), almonds, flax seeds, chia seeds and sunflower seeds. They are fantastic sources of Vitamin E which works as a sunblock of sorts and keeps your skin smooth, and can also reverse sun damage to your skin. As a bonus, nuts contribute to the wellness of your hair and nails in addition to your skin.
Carrots:
Carrots are an excellent source of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A. We have been told that this vegetable is great for our eye sight but it works just as well for our skin by reversing sun damage and preventing dry, wrinkled skin. Sweet Potatoes have similar effects. Oddly enough, orange and red colored vegetables lend a similar hue to one’s skin if taken regularly.
Tomatoes:
In this case, cooked tomatoes are a better bet than raw ones for the benefit of your skin. This is because the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is present in higher levels than in raw ones. This is the chemical that causes tomatoes to be red; it strengthens collagen which leads to more youthful looking skin and acts as an anti-ageing remedy.
Turmeric:
In South Asian culture, it is considered to be a brilliant remedy for aches, colds, inflammation and of course flawless skin. Turmeric can be made into a paste and applied topically to brighten your skin or it can be consumed regularly to reap the benefits of its anti-inflammatory properties. It can lighten scars, dark pigmentation and reduce the signs of ageing. If that isn’t enough, turmeric is known to lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Green Tea:
Green tea is an anti-oxidant, which essentially means that it rids your body of unwanted toxins that could be harming you. Catechins are compounds found in green tea that improve the health of your skin by improving its moisture and elasticity.
Whole Egg:
The egg yolk is often treated as a villain when it comes to weight loss but it really isn’t in the world of skin care. Egg yolks contain the ever famous B vitamin, Biotin, which works wonders for hair and skin.
Coconut Oil and Coconut Water:
Coconut is over-abundant with benefits. Coconut water contains potassium and a whole lot of electrolytes that help in rehydrating your skin and making it supple. Coconut oil is a wonder ingredient which has shown to hold numerous benefits for your health and skin. In South Asia, coconut oil has been a tried and tested remedy for better hair growth and a treatment for dry skin. Mix a little coconut oil with oatmeal or sugar and you can use it as a lip scrub or a body scrub.
Spinach:
Our favorite green ever! Spinach is super, super healthy to consume – as we all know, thanks to Popeye but it is also fantastic for skin health due to high contents of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene. Essentially translating to “farewell wrinkles!”
Fatty Fish:
Fatty fish contains Omega 3 acids which moisturize your skin and reduce inflammation. It is also rich in vitamin E and as we know by now, it is an important antioxidant for your skin. Fatty fish include: Tuna, sardines, anchovies, trout and salmon. Ask your local fish vendors for fatty fish that comes in fresh. Side note: research shows that fish oil pills are not as effective in dispersing health and wellness benefits as actually consuming fish as part of a regular diet.
Water:
HYDRATION is extremely important for the health of your skin and hair. It rids your body of unwanted toxins and keeps your skin soft and supple. Be it detox water or normal water, the more the better!
