Are you noticing your skin looking dull? Seeing signs of aging? Well, before desperately rummaging through the mountain of serums and beauty fixes on your vanity table, take a look into your kitchen. Getting healthy from the inside out begins with a good diet. Here are some power foods that will enhance your skin.
Chocolate (raw cacao) doesn’t cause acne. In fact, dark chocolate contains ‘flavonoids’, anti-aging antioxidants that combat free radicals to protect your skin from sun damage, prevent the appearance of skin discolorations, fine lines, and wrinkles, and even lift the mood – and when you feel good, you look good!
Not only good for Popeye, spinach contains a triple measure of anti-wrinkle antioxidants: vitamins C and E, and beta carotene. These all protect the skin from UV rays (of course, you should still wear a sunscreen).
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and flavonoids, which are both essential for skin health. They help protect against harmful free radicals and oxidative damage caused by smoking. Almonds are also a good source of substantial protein and fiber, and their selenium and manganese content helps keep your hair glossy.
Known as the decisive ‘get gorgeous’ food that’s even used in shampoos and facial masks, avocados contain monounsaturated fatty acids that are essential for the skin, nails and hair. Applied topically, they soften and hydrate the skin. Ingested, they lower cholesterol and reduce the appearance of aging skin. They also contain fiber, folate, antioxidants (like lutein and beta carotene) and magnesium, and one avocado contains more potassium than a medium-sized banana — nearly 700 milligrams!
Pumpkins are packed with goodness — vitamins (A and C), minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also rich in zinc, which helps regulate the production of oil, improves skin tone, is vital for creating new skin cells, and reduces open pores. But you don’t have to eat the whole thing! Brighten your complexion by eating just a handful of pumpkin seeds.
Potato is nature’s bleaching agent and can be used to lighten the skin. Just apply a facemask of grated potatoes and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Potato also helps rid the skin of dead cells, blemishes, sunburn, dark circles and dark spots.
This vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals that deliver an instant boost, with anti-inflammatory properties that prevent acne and breakouts. If you apply beetroot juice as a facemask, your complexion will develop a radiant pinkish shade. Using it regularly should make blemishes and dark spots disappear, thanks to its niacin, iron, copper, vitamin C, and potassium content. Drinking a glass of beetroot juice purifies the blood and cleanses toxins, which also gives the face a healthy glow.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, including K, A, C, and B1, B3, B5, B6, and B7. They are popular in the world of beauty, due to their lycopene content — an antioxidant with remarkable anti-aging properties. The acidic nature of tomatoes also helps prevent breakouts, and their pulp tightens pores.
Another power vegetable for glowing skin is carrots. Their high concentration of beta carotene helps prevent cell degeneration and slows aging. The Vitamin A in carrot juice also helps keep bones, eyes, teeth, and body tissue healthy, while their high Vitamin C content boosts collagen growth and reduces dark spots and acne.
Besides being delicious, this fruit is rich in alpha-hydroxyl acid, which helps rid the face of dead skin cells. Their Vitamin C content boosts the production of collagen and diminishes wrinkles and fine lines. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids in strawberries lighten skin tone.
This list just scratches the surface of how diet can promote good health and better skin condition. There are many other powerhouse foods, including nuts, vegies, and fruits, that also improve the skin remarkably and naturally. But, you get the message: move over beauty products and make way for an all-natural skin regimen that achieves beautiful, glowing skin!
