Want glowing skin? It starts with what you eat! Food is fuel for our bodies, so by ensuring you’re giving the inside what it needs, the outside will show it. Certain processed foods can contribute towards inflammation and aggravate skin problems such as acne. Therefore, ensuring your diet contains numerous vitamins and minerals can help improve your skin. There are endless possibilities to what you can introduce to your diet to help your skin, so we’ve summarized some key tips for where to start.
Give your skin all the goodness it needs by:
Drinking PLENTY of water
When we say plenty, we mean plenty. Your skin needs moisture to stay flexible and there’s no better form of hydration than pure water. 6-8 glasses a day is recommended, and the good news is it doesn’t have to be just water, cups of tea and coffee count too!
Getting enough Vitamin C
Fruits and vegetables are the best source of Vitamin C, a super antioxidant – so eat lots of them! They’re easy to introduce as a snack or a refreshing dessert. Did you know Strawberries contain more Vitamin C per 100g than oranges? Here’s a full list of Vitamin C rich foods you can include in your diet.
Eating healthy fats
Some fatty acids are essential to the skin acting as a natural moisturizer; hence they have the name ‘Essential Fatty Acid (EFA)’. Foods such as avocados, oily fish, nuts and seeds contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which help produce the skin’s natural oil barrier to keep it hydrated, plump and youthful. Omega-3 fats encourage the body to produce anti-inflammatory compounds, helping skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Getting enough Vitamin E
This super vitamin helps to protect cell damage as well as supporting healthy skin growth. You can find this powerhouse primarily in nuts, such as almonds, pine nuts and hazelnuts. Another method of increasing the amount of Vitamin E you’re consuming is through sunflower and corn oils.
Stocking up on Selenium
Selenium complements Vitamin E and Vitamin C which help support the immune system, offering benefits which helps protect your skin from UV rays, ultimately delaying signs of ageing. Brazil Nuts are very high in selenium, as is meat such as Tuna or Halibut. Who wouldn’t want to keep that youthful glow?
Getting enough Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral with anti-inflammatory properties which can help with flare ups or even scarring. Protein rich foods are high in Zinc, such as lean meats, fish, or dairy products.
Ultimately, the healthier you eat, the healthier your skin. We understand it’s difficult to try and incorporate all of the above into your diet, but doing just a couple will make all the difference!
