Incorporate these eight items into your diet and get glowing!
There’s a beauty product for every skin issue and need—from basic moisturizers to collagen builders to heavy foundations that hide imperfections small and large. However, the most important and potent way to take care of your skin starts from the inside out. What we eat on a daily basis definitively affects the health and appearance of our skin and can keep our skin looking youthful and taut, or can accelerate the fine lines and wrinkles we want so badly to keep at bay.
We’ve heard it time and time again—you are what you eat. The food we eat acts as a message to our skin cells and tells them whether to heal and rebuild, or deplete and unravel. Eating foods that are as close to as nature intended supports skin cells and, incorporating them into your daily routine is essential to healthy, beautiful skin.
Integrate the following eight items into your daily routine and begin to look and feel incredible:
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Avocado – Avocados contain essential fatty acids that are invaluable to skin cells. These fatty acids help moisturize the skin and reduce redness and inflammation. Avocados keep skin cells healthy by locking water in, keeping cell walls healthy. Avocados also contain vitamins C and E which prevent wrinkles and lines. Mashed avocado can also be applied directly to the skin as a moisturizer which calms and soothes the skin.
- Sesame oil – Sesame oil doesn’t get as much recognition as coconut or olive oil, and surprisingly, it’s better for skin health! Unroasted, cold-pressed sesame oil is nourishing and contains vitamins E and B, amino acids and important minerals which repair, soften and protect the skin from environmental pollutants. Applying the oil at night before sleeping is very beneficial, healing and nourishing the skin.
- Kiwi – Kiwis are small and low in calories, yet pack a potent punch. Kiwis are high in vitamin C, and stimulate collagen production in the skin, leading to less dryness and winkles. Kiwis also protect the skin against UV light and aging. Eating kiwis several times a week will benefit the skin and keep it looking younger and healthier over time.
- Seeds and nuts – From chia and sunflower seeds to walnuts and almonds, seeds and nuts are vital to healthy, supple skin. Incorporating a variety of seeds and nuts into your diet helps to repair the skin, fight acne and improves blood flow, creating a healthy glow. Seeds and nuts fight inflammation and contain important fats, minerals and proteins that cells need to function optimally.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which is a top natural, sun damage remedy. The lycopene in tomatoes also enables the skin to draw in more oxygen and fights free radicals and aging. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C and K which help skin rejuvenate and restore health. Tomatoes can be mashed and applied directly onto the skin as a mask to improve healing and fight aging and UV damage.
- Green tea – Having a couple of cups of green tea a day can work wonders for the skin. Green tea is full of antioxidants, polyphenols and the bags can even be applied directly onto the skin to fight aging and inflammation. Green tea is known to reduce damage to the skin caused by environmental pollutants and the sun.
- Red, orange and yellow vegetables – Brightly colored vegetables contain carotenoids which are essential to beautiful skin. Carotenoids are converted into vitamin A in the body, which slows down aging and protects the skin from toxins. Red, orange and yellow vegetables also contain beta-carotene, which protects the skin from sun damage and keeps cell membranes healthy. Add pumpkin, yellow peppers and carrots, among other vegetables to your diet to reap spectacular skin benefits.
- Water – Hydration is necessary for healthy, good-looking skin! Aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of room-temperature water a day to add moisture and eliminate toxins from the skin’s surface. When the body is well-hydrated, the skin takes on a supple, glowing look and wrinkles and fine lines are less obvious. Furthermore, drinking enough water fights acne and refreshes the skin. Lack of water can result in dull, dry skin that may age more quickly.
Healthy skin starts on the inside, not on the outside, and our appearance truly reflects what we eat on a daily basis. Incorporate the suggestions above into your routine and your skin (and body) will benefit tremendously!
Meet Natasha Bhalla
Natasha Bhalla is a Health, Wellness & Beauty Coach who has been in the beauty industry for almost 15 years. Natasha has experience both behind the chair as a makeup artist and as a marketing and communications professional who has worked with a variety of beauty companies.
Natasha’s mission is to help individuals become their healthiest versions naturally, by eliminating toxins from their diets, as well as from their beauty regimen. Natasha works with both individuals and corporations, and creates programs that encourage and motivate a healthy, beautiful lifestyle. www.pranawellnessandhealth.com
