For the last 5 months I have been working on a program with an amazing nutritionist trying to improve my everyday eating habits. Loosing those extra pounds is always a driving force to stick with a program like the one I've been on. But as I started to focus on eating better to shed some weight, it also got me thinking of something else. In addition to eating a healthier diet to improve the appearance of my figure, what kind of diet could I follow to improve the appearance of my skin?
As it turns out...there's a lot of edible help out there geared to improving skin of all types! From what I found, here is my top ten:
1. Avocado-This wonderful creamy fruit is filled with Vitamin B which will nourish the skin inside and out. Used mainly for it's anti-inflammatory properties, the Vitamin B found in avocados can help to sooth irritated and/or red blotchy skin. Another great use of avocado is the natural oils found inside of it. These oils can help to improve skin with a dryer texture. You see avocado used quite a bit in facial masks, and now you know why!
2. Mango-Mangos are packed with Vitamin A, a source that is great for maintaining and repairing skin cells. Vitamin A is also a great antioxidant for the skin which can help to fight free radicals that attack it and cause it to age much faster.
3. Almond-Almonds are a great source of Vitamin E which is also an antioxidant. It's great for protecting and repairing the skin from sun damage. And as we know, sun damage is a great way to age your skin quickly. The oils from this tasty snack can also help to moisturize and renew the texture of the skin.
4. Acerola Cherries-Most cherries that we all know and love (i.e. maraschino, bing, rainier) don't contain a high amount of Vitamin C, not true for the Acerola Cherry. Packed with Vitamin C, eating a healthy amount of this delicious fruit is a guaranteed way to brighten your skin. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in most skin care products that help in diminishing a dull appearance to skin. Leaving instead, with a flawless glow. In addition to that it also helps in the production of collagen within the skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Oysters-Many of us associate oysters as being the cliche' of the classic aphrodisiac. Whether or not they help you to set the mood, what I can assure you is that eating oysters are great way to help heal skin plagued with acne. Packed with the mineral zinc, the development of acne is minimized because zinc is known to slow down the production of sebum in the skin, a major cause of the appearance of breakouts.
6. Baked Potato-Small amounts of this popular comfort food can be great for the skin. Being that it contains high amounts of the mineral copper. Combined with vitamin c and zinc already in the skin, these three elements together help to create elastin fibers. Elastin fibers are super important because it's within those fibers that our skin structure is supported and given the ability to heal and rebound from any injury.
7. Flaxseed Oil-If your not a fish lover then this tip is perfect for you. One of the best sources, other then fish, of Omega 3s is flaxseed oil. Just one teaspoon a day of this essential fatty acid will not only hydrate your skin, it's also a great way to dilute sebum in the skin and unclog pores.
8. Leafy Greens-Not only are leafy greens packed with nutrients that help your body function better, those nutrients help skin as well. Full of antioxidants that help to protect the skin by repairing cell damage and increasing cell turnover. They are also packed with lots of vitamins that will help the skin maintain a bright and healthy appearance.
9. Mushrooms-Not many people associate mushrooms with skin care, and I was one of them. Out of all my discoveries, this one surprised me the most. Come to find out, mushrooms are filled with Vitamin B2. A vitamin that helps in skin tissue maintenance and repair. Which is very important because our bodies use a lot of this particular vitamin in the healing process from burns and wounds.
10. Water-I've saved not only the best for last, I've saved the most important. Drinking a large amount of water a day in your diet is the best thing you can do not only for your body but for you skin as well. Water not only is full of lots of important minerals and nutrients that help our bodies to function as best as they can, it also has the ability to flush out toxins and hydrate. Combine all those elements together and your skin is bound to see results!
I guess what they say is true....you are what you eat!
Thanks to Holly Gonzalez from Your Wellness Tree I've been inspired not only to discover a new way of eating for my figure and my health but for my skin as well! Feel free to check her out at http://www.yourwellnesstree.com/. Trust me, you won't regret it...she's a miracle worker!
Bon Appetit
See you soon!
Marlena Robbins
Licensed Facialist/Make-up Artist
Bree Salon, Studio City
818.508.4500
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