How to have healthy skin
Inside health = outside health!
We’ve all heard the expression “you are what you eat”, and your skin is no exception. Your skin is a reflection of what is happening inside your body, so if you’re healthy on the inside you’ll be healthy on the outside!
Simple fact: Your skin is your largest organ. It is our protective covering and our first line of defence to fight illness and disease. It's also a pathway to your bloodstream, so what you apply topically on your skin, as well as what you eat, affects the overall health & appearance of your skin.
This week we’ll start from the inside out.
“Certain foods have powerhouse ingredients that keep skin supple and smooth and help fight age-related damage” -- Nicholas Perricone, MD Author of “Ageless Face, Ageless Mind”.
First off, you need to HYDRATE your skin. That means drinking plenty of water every day.
Aim to drink 6-8 glasses/day, or 30ml for each kilo of your body weight. If you are physically active, live in a warm climate, or feel thirsty, you may need to up your daily intake. As we age, our skin tends to become dehydrated a lot more quickly, causing it to wrinkle, so staying hydrated is extra important.
Next, eat your superfoods! Remember if it’s good for your health, it’s also good for your skin!
Try to eat include these foods each day:
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish, such as herring, sardines, and salmon. Other sources of omega-3s include flaxseeds & walnuts. Omega-3s are known to decrease inflammation and may reduce the risk of acne and other skin problems.
Vitamin C helps produce collagen & prevents cells from damage caused by free radicals. Great sources are oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, strawberries, & capsicums.
Vitamin E helps limit sun damage & signs of ageing. Almonds are a terrific source of Vitamin E.
Vitamin A revitalises skin by increasing cell production and rebuilds tissue. Eggs and dark leafy greens are good choices.
Beta-Carotene is needed for growth & repair of tissue. It is found in abundance in orange foods like carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, and rockmelon.
Other fabulous foods to include to boost your skin health: dark leafy vegetables, avocados, mushrooms, berries, and, surprise, dark chocolate (hallelujah!).