The next time you look in the mirror and wonder what you can do to improve the look of your skin, don’t assume the only way to see results is to dish out money. With all the medical and technological advances today, people tend to forget what the basis of all that science really is. Three hundred dollar creams and complex supplements are all advanced forms of things found in nature and things our bodies produce naturally. Just like things you do to keep your body looking good…keeping your skin looking it’s best all depends on how you live. A healthy lifestyle is a beautiful thing, and so are the results. Don’t let companies fool you into believing the only way to get the nutrients your skin needs is out of a bottle. Eating right is the simplest and cheapest way to be beautiful, inside and out. So what foods contain the magic that beauty companies bottle and sell to you for outrageous prices? The answer is not some exotic food from a far away land you have never heard of. The magic is in simple everyday foods that you can find in any local grocery store.
Fats are an essential part of the food pyramid and are needed to maintain healthy beautiful skin. When we age our skin loses the fat that makes our face supple and firm. Eating the right types of fat can help maintain that youthful look we lose with time. Omega 3 fatty acids are excellent in maintaining your overall well being. It is widely regarded for it’s cardiovascular benefits, but it also has some serious skin benefits too. Omega 3s help keep your skin supple and moisturized. Overly dry skin can lead to premature wrinkles and aging. Moisture is not only the key to treating and preventing aging skin, but brittle hair and nails too. Increasing your fatty acid intake will lead to stronger more beautiful hair, skin and nails. Fish like Salmon is an excellent source of these nutrients. Olive oil, nuts and seeds are also easy foods easy to incorporate into your everyday diet and are rich in Omega 3s.
Vitamin C is probably the most popular vitamins we hear about. It’s what we need when we’re sick and helps our body fight off enemies. It’s also helps our bodies produce Collagen. Collagen is the basic protein that makes up our skin. When we age, our skin begins to feel the effects of gravity. Collagen breakdown speeds up and our body has a harder time producing it. Upping your vitamin C intake can help regenerate this protein. Vitamin C also helps to clear acne by fighting bacteria and reducing inflammation. Citrus fruits are abundant sources of Vitamin C.
Dark leafy greens like Spinach are a great way to get vitamin A and Iron. Vitamin A helps fight acne and is a key ingredient in many acne medications. It helps speed up cell turnover to reveal brighter more radiant skin. If you’re not a fan of dark greens, no problem! Mangoes are another tasty way to get your daily dose. One Mango contains an average of 80% of the recommend amount of vitamin A. Another green food that is good for skin is the Avocado. It’s abundant in B vitamins and essential oils and is often used in beauty treatments like facial masks. So it’s time to trade in the cheese dip for some Guacamole stat!!
If you’re a beach bum or athlete, you know how damaging the sun can be to your skin. Vitamin E is like a natural sunscreen and helps protect against harmful UV rays. Almonds are the best source of vitamin E and contain 150% of the needed value. Nuts are overall a beneficial food loaded with vitamins and essential oils, but make sure to eat them in moderation because they also are loaded with fat and calories.
