Food and Skin Care

Somebody said “We are what we eat” and it is true because our food has huge influence at our health, body metabolism and skin structure, type, beauty, softness and elasticity.

Every woman should know the list of foods for beautiful and healthy skin. Every woman should be able to use foods and nutrients which can help enhance the complexion. Every woman should be aware how natural food can be used for younger face skin. Every woman must know the list of foods which have the lowest risk of skin cancer.

Market is full of creams, cleansers, moisturizers and other products for skin care but most of them are made from natural ingredients mixed with different types of chemicals. Why not to use just clean food products? Why not avoid all chemicals and just use best foods for your skin?

HONEY, OIL and SWEETS for skin

It is well known that Cleopatra regularly was having milk and honey baths and the result was absolutely fantastic, attractive, sexy, clean and soft skin. Good quality honey contains natural humectants which keep the skin moisture.

You can use honey for skin lotion – 1 teaspoon honey + 1 teaspoon oil + ¼ teaspoon lemon juice. This mixture should be rubbed on dry skin for 10-13 minutes.

Sugar is an ideal product for skin exfoliation because of rough texture and presence of glycolic acid both can give your skin the healthy glow. So called “sugar scrub” was used by our grand-grand-mothers for centuries.

You can prepare the “sugar scrub” in your kitchen – 2 tablespoons of cream (25-35% fat) or whole milk + ½ cup of granulated sugar + 3-6 drops of orange oil + 1 cup of olive oil. This mixture should be rubbed on dry skin for 10-13 minutes.

Olive Oil is well known as a product full of vitamin E and antioxidants – that makes it a good source for skin moisturizing. Olive Oil can be rubbed on skin with clean hands – it will make your skin soft and smooth.

Sunflower Oil and Sunflower Seeds are full of vitamin E and essential-fatty-acid – it keeps your skin supple by protecting its top layers from the sun.

Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonols (type of antioxidants) which hydrates your skin, makes it firmer and suppler.

FRUITS and VEGETABLES for skin

Modern women know that fruits and vegetables are very healthy foods but not all women know that some fruits and vegetables could be very beneficially for skin.

Avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails thanks to its important component “biotin”. Locally applied avocados can hydrate parched skin.

Tomatoes can protect your skin from sunburn. Besides being a great source of the antioxidant “lycopene”, tomatoes are considered a high-carotenoid product which can slow down cellular damage. Use tomatoes regularly. When tomatoes applied locally, they can help skin create more collagen, while speeding healing

Pomegranates are also a good source of important for skin antioxidants (“polyphenol” antioxidants) which fight free radicals and regulate skin’s blood flow, giving it rosiness.

Locally used pomegranate juice helps smooth lines (reduce wrinkles) and moisturize.

Strawberries are rich of C vitamin and they could help to ward off wrinkles and age-related dryness. Vitamin C is essential for skin collagen production – increased collagen makes your skin firm. Vitamin C is also responsible for skin smoothness.

Another excellent source of vitamin C is Papaya which can also protect your skin for sun damage and dryness.

Pink Grapefruit is a source of antioxidant “lycopene” – guarantee of nice smooth skin.

If you include in your daily diet a medium size of Red Bell Peppers, it could help to protect skin cells from the sun’s harmful rays. It was noted that women who eat regularly Red Bell Pepper have fewer wrinkles, especially around the eyes.

Carrots contain so called “carotenoids beta carotene” and “lycopene” antioxidants – and both could protect your skin from UV damages. Carrot juice should be included in your diet.

Broccoli is recommended for wrinkles and age-related dryness. Scientists suggest that vitamin C’s skin-smoothing effects may be due to its ability to mop up free radicals produced from UV and also its role in synthesizing collagen, a fibrous protein that keeps skin firm.

Spinach is another useful food for your skin – spinach contains several important elements such as vitamin C, K, E, folate and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

Pumpkin also can protect your skin from UV damages – actually the “beta carotene” is protecting skin from UV. Beta carotene is also converted to vitamin A in the body, which helps to keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy.

FISH for skin

Scientists discovered that omega-3 fatty acids are also very useful for skin quality and skin appearance. They noted that different types of fish could be very beneficiary for skin care.

Dermatologists recommend slowing down skin aging with salmon - salmon contains so called “astaxanthin” (carotenoid) that improves skin elasticity.

Try to eat at least two servings of fatty fish every week – it is good not only for your skin but also for your general health.

Tuna can help keep your skin looking youthful and prevent skin cancer because tuna contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) which preserves collagen, a fibrous protein that keeps skin firm.

Sardines are one of the healthiest products to be recommended for skin – full of omega-3s DHA and EPA, as well as vitamin D, which is found naturally in very few foods. Thanks to these elements sardines can protect your skin from UV damages.

EGGS for skin

Eggs are full of proteins which help repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin.

WALNUTS and BEANS for skin

If you don’t like fish, you can discover omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts – they help put shine in your hair and aid in making skin smoother, softer and younger looking.

You can also build better skin with beans – another protein source which help repair skin cells that have suffered free radical damage. During digestion, protein breaks down into amino acids which help to speed the repair and regeneration of skin cells and collagen.

BEST DRINKS for skin

Scientists discovered that drinking just one cup of coffee every day could decrease the risk of developing skin cancer. Important to know that decaf didn’t seem to offer the same skin protection.

Experienced specialists suggest that caffeine in tea could also help to protect your skin against skin cancer. It was discovered that actually the caffeine kills precancerous and ultraviolet-damaged skin cells by blocking a protein that they need to divide. Best is green tea.

Try to drink at least 3-4 cups of green tea every day and your skin will benefit because green tea also calms skin redness.

Soymilk would be recommended for preserving skin-firming collagen – thanks to richness of “isoflavones”. You can prevent your skin wrinkles and make your skin smooth with soymilk.

OTHER PRODUCTS for skin

Corn (fresh or frozen) is a very good source of lutein – it shields the skin from UV damage.

Edamame is rich in isoflavones which are acting like antioxidants – edamane can help to preserve skin-firming collagen preventing skin aging.

Yogurt can prevent your skin wrinkles thanks to high levels of protein – it helps to keep skin firm (less lines, less wrinkles). You even can apply the yogurt on the skin making it smoother, preventing dryness and irritation as well as sensitivity.

Your skin can look younger if you eat Oatmeal regularly

Tofu is full of isoflavones which preserve skin-firming collagen – tofu is good for smooth and wrinkles free skin.