Skin Food

We have all heard or read the expression; “you are what you eat” at one time or another. If you speak with your dermatologist about their advice for healthy-looking skin, one of their suggestions are likely to be “good–skin-food”. In this article, we will take a look at some of the recommended foods, as well as including “water” with these recommendations – considering “water” is such an integral part of the healthy-skin diet.

Speaking personally, the author of this article has undoubtedly felt the positive effects of eating healthy from the shine and fullness of my hair, to the appearance of my skin and body – admittedly, the author has indulged in the guilty pleasures of  fast-food on more occasions than willing to admit to – with the point being that the negative fallout from those guilty pleasures versus the positive physical and emotional rewards that come with eating “good-skin-food”. As consumers, we are plagued by all the “packaged” beauty recommendations and tend to forget that healthy eating is the cornerstone. With that said, lets jump into a few of the “good-skin-food” recommendations:

Water is one of nature’s best ingredients to keep your skin looking smooth. Not only does it keep your skin glowing, but it also helps in removing toxins and uptake nutrients. Most professionals agree on 6 – 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water daily; however, drink as much water as you can consume to reap the benefits of nature’s best skin protector. The best part is – it’s free, at least in most cases.

Leafy greens Take your pick of kale, spinach, collards, chard, or arugula, which do a great job of keeping your skin illuminated and hair super healthy. Greens are full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Each of the aforementioned are rich in minerals – iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium along with vitamins (K, C, E, and B), and deliver phytonutrients like beta-carotene and lutein. Lutein is a beneficial nutrient which decreases the risk of wrinkles. On a cellular level – greens promote cell growth and cellular turnover. Makes you want to run out to your local corner fruit and veg store and load up on greens

Fatty fish like wild-caught salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines provide Omega-3’s that combat inflammation and fight cancer. Healthy fats in fish help boost collagen production for healthy skin and hair and are essential for maintaining skin health. Get out those fishing poles guys!

Berries, one of mother nature’s hidden secrets, have potent antioxidant power. Anthocyanin, found in blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries, work to protect the skin from damage from free radicals in our environment. Add a handful of berries to your oatmeal, smoothie, or salad to prevent premature aging and wrinkles. Makes you want to run out to the orchard and go pick some berries, doesn’t it?

Who says all alcohol is bad for you? Red wine (in moderation of course) is full of powerful antioxidants like resveratrol, which protects the skin from aging. Red wine has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that clear acne, cleanses the pores, and reduces breakouts. Next time you feel like having a drink and worried about alcohol damaging your skin – have a glass of red wine and ease your mind that you are actually protecting your skin. Did someone say “Moscato”?

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own views and Love Le Lait does not endorse them in any way. Nor, can Love Le Lait independently verify any claims made in the article. You should consult your physician before starting any weight loss or health management program to determine, if it is right for you.