Skin is the most visible part of ourselves and we put a lot of effort to make it look great and healthy. As the outer organ of the human bodies, skin is often exposed to damaging factors. Sunlight and pollutants are the ones we can’t avoid that easily, but can certainly protect ourselves with lotions and clothes. Therefore, skin-saving superfoods are a great way to keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.
Nevertheless, skin is still affected by other outer factors like injuries or filth. Products we use can also irritate our skin, like heavy makeup. Financial status is one of the important factors for skin-carrying habits, too.
If we use cheap products, the chances are that they contain a low percentage of ingredients necessary for the wellbeing of our skin. On the other hand, too many procedures can damage the skin to barely or impossible correction in the future. Buying products online from unchecked vendors can cause allergies, infections and, in best cases, do absolutely nothing.
However, skin needs nurturing from the inside, too. More accurately, it depends on it. You probably heard that “we are what we eat”. This can directly apply to certain skin conditions and states since food can be responsible for their onset.
Vitamins, minerals and water from the food we eat determine the overall status of our health. Paired with regular physical activity, this is the formula for preserving our bodies and rejuvenating ourselves. Since the exercise is a hot topic right now, here are superfoods which will help you with your skincare routine.
Some skin-saving superfoods you should try:
1. Don’t miss your vegetables and fruits
Veggies and fruits should be part of every diet. They are rich in vitamins and minerals which are necessary for normal functioning of our bodies. Powerful antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help our body fight free radicals known factors which boost skin aging.
Beta-carotene and lutein found in pumpkins and spinach respectively are only part of the greater antioxidant defenders of our body system. Vitamin C found in citrus fruits and D in salmon are responsible for healthy skin and anti-aging effects.
Eating appropriate fruits and vegetables with regards to your dietary requirements will be a natural way to save your skin from aging factors. Also, these foods will keep it healthy and resistant to external detrimental influences like pollutants. Include in your diet at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and observe your skin gaining a healthy glow by the day.
2. Monitor your weight
People who lose and regain weight need to pay more attention to stabilize their diet. This kind of behavior affects the look of your skin by creating wrinkles, sagginess and stretch marks. If you pay attention to your diet you can still maintain your weight or achieve the desired one just by having regular meals.
This type of dietary habit is not only unhealthy but also will show on your skin. Consult dietary experts in order to create a healthy meal which will benefit your figure as well as your skin. If you are too busy and forget to eat, set an alarm clock to remind you or use one of the available apps just for that purpose.
3. Drink Japanese green tea
There are all sorts of green teas on the market, but the one everyone is talking about is the Japanese one. This is due to the fact that in Japan people drink it constantly and have radiant skin. Its benefits are not only seen on the surface.
Green tea is full of antioxidants, even more than some fruits and vegetables. It contains high amounts of vitamin C and E, as well as catechin which has fat burning benefits, cardiovascular health and reducing cancer risk. Japanese green tea is also an excellent substitute for coffee and some even argue a healthier one.
4. Zinc and selenium
Zinc and selenium help your skin to repair damage and stay soft. These two minerals not only help your skin but also nails and hair. They are present in meat, fish, eggs, tomatoes, broccoli, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
5. Water, water, water
“Years of sun exposure, smoking and stress all contribute to your skin beginning to sag while losing its youthful volume and glow,” points out Dr Turner, the leading expert on plastic surgery. If we add inappropriate dietary habits to the mix, then our skin has a serious problem of aging too fast.
Water is one of the main ingredients of keeping our skin radiant and healthy. Dehydration dries the skin and makes it appear grey. Eight glasses of water per day are enough to maintain the healthy intake of water. Again, just like with regular eating habits, you can use an app to remind you or simply keep a bottle of water by your side.
6. Eat healthy fats
There are good and bad fats in food. This is something already established throughout the years. However, most of us don’t pay much attention to the labels on the products. Avocado, oily fish, seeds and nuts all have fatty acids which are good for us, but pre-made products don’t.
Microwave meals, canned and packed products are enough reason to check the labels and look for the presence of saturated fat. Fast food is also something you should give a wide berth. Besides cardiovascular diseases and cancer, among other things, these foods cause acne and greasy skin. If not treated properly, some acne can leave scars which can be removed only through cosmetic procedures.
7. Choose low-GI carbs
Carbs are not something you should exclude but choose wisely for your diet. In order to make sure you don’t eat a lot of carbs, you can easily check the glycaemic index (GI). The lower the GI the better for your health and skin. Carbs turn into sugars when processed in your body and give you energy. If you eat high-GI carbs they can lead to very serious health risks like diabetes, and will also damage the collagen in your skin.
Final thoughts
Don’t forget that besides the good and healthy food for our skin, we also need to take care of it with appropriate routine and products. Through regular exercise and healthy diet not only will our skin look amazing, but we will feel great. By choosing the best skin-saving superfoods you can acquire that glowing skin you have always dreamed.