The saying goes "You are what you eat". I am a firm believer in this philosophy, as the foods we consume make an incredible difference to our exterior and health. When it comes to the health of our skin, the foods that we choose to eat have more of an impact than we realise.
Now, I am not saying that you shouldn't have a slice of that gooey chocolate cake that Sophie brought into the office today. Or down those 3 jaeger bombs that Rob just bought you on a night out at Oceana (yes that did actually happen to me).
I'm just saying that if you want glowing skin, incorporate these items into your diet too! But if you're thinking about having a Jaeger bomb, DONT! Take it from someone who knows what the hangover feels like...
Aaanyway, let's take a look at my top 6 most loved foods for glowing skin. They're delicious, nutritious, and you might even be surprised by one or two...
1. Go nuts
Nuts are a great source of vitamin e, which is a powerful antioxidant that is essential for glowing skin. They are also full on magnesium and zinc, which have been proven to promote regeneration of skin cells, and even fight of bacteria that could lead to acne!!
2. When life gives you lemons, drink them!
Lemon water has so many beauty benefits, such as antioxidants and vitamin c, which boots your immune system as well as giving you fresh, glowing skin. Lemons are also very anti-inflammatory, helping eliminate toxins within your body, helping reduce blemishes, and even wrinkles!!
3. "Have chocolate, you'll look better"
Believe it or not, chocolate is good for you, BUT It has to be dark. This sweet treat is rich in flavonols and antioxidants that help your skin protect itself from UV damage! It also helps to hydrate the skin, and even increase blood flow (hello dewy glow)! However, when choosing dark chocolate, make sure that it contains at least 70% cocoa, so your skin can reap all of these amazing benefits. My personal favourite is "Lindt Excellence 70% dark chocolate".
4.'Oatillllly crazy
I am crazy for oats. I have them for breakfast every morning. Oats are a wholegrain that is loaded with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In recent years, skincare brands have started to use oats in their products (*ahem* Aveeno) which have been known to improve uncomfortable symptoms of eczema, and other dry and itchy skin complaints.
Tip: Try combining oats with two tablespoons of Greek yogurt, and one tablespoon of honey for a soothing face mask.
5. Drink your greens
Drinking green tea improves your complexion by treating the epidermis layer of your skin, flushing out harmful toxins, helping to heal blemishes and scars, and reduce inflammation within the body. It has even been shown to improve skin elasticity. Because it is packed full of antioxidants, green tea helps to combat cancer, due to its effect in protecting the skin from ultra violet rays that result in melanoma, or even skin cancer (*goes to put the kettle on*).Tip: If you suffer from puffy eyes, pop two used green tea bags into the fridge and leave them overnight. In the morning, pop them onto your eyes for 10 minutes. This will reduce swelling and tighten the skin around the eyes; the caffeine will help reduce puffiness by shrinking the blood vessels.
6. Do-u-av-o-ca-do
A diet high in avocado is amazing for your skin. They are loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids, which help keep the top layer of your skin moisturised so it's soft and glowing. They contain vitamin c and e, which help protect against the damage of free radicals. They also contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, that guard the skin from sun damage, and help with skin sensitivity. Let's not forget that avocados are bloody delicious, and in my opinion you can never have too many. Well, thats what I say.
So If you're feeling a bit blue about your complexion, I hope this post inspires you to "eat the rainbow" and consider making some changes within your diet. Remember, your skin is a reflection of your digestive system, so if you eat unhealthy foods that are laden with grease and preservatives, you'll notice that your skin will look dull, tired, oily, and spotty.
Now If you take away one tip from this post, drink the lemon water, trust me, hydration is the most important thing that you can do for your skin......and eat the chocolate - why don't you have a glass of wine while you're at it?! They do say it's all about balance...
Love, Heleayner
x
Post a Comment