An important function of your skin is to sweat out your body's waste products. If you're sweating out toxic chemicals, this will affect not only the color of your skin, but your complexion too. So its important not just to eat foods that can improve your skin, but also to avoid those toxic foods that can cause a break-out
Foods to Improve your Skin
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are very smart chemicals that protect our cells from both external threats, such as the sun, wind and temperature, and internal threats, such as excess oxygen and hormonal imbalances.
So what are antioxidants? They include Vitamins A, C and E and beta carotene. Their specific role is to combat free radicals, unstable cells that become loose and wreak havoc with your skin and cellular structure.
Good sources of antioxidants include cereals, fruits and vegetables. There are, however, certain foods that are particularly rich in these life-saving chemicals. These include berries (blueberry, blackcurrant, cherry), walnuts, sunflower seeds, pomegranate and ginger.
Protein
Protein is a hugely important substance for the body, but not one that we are usually short of. Today's diets, heavy on meat, tend to provide all that we need. One group who have to be careful though is vegetarians, who should supplement their diet with nuts, beans and other sources of protein.
A protein deficiency can reduce the elasticity of your skin. An important protein named Collagen plays a key role in cellular structure, giving it its strength and elasticity. Without it, our skin becomes saggy, wrinkled and aged.
Probiotics
As so often happens, what goes on inside your body is reflected on the outside. Probiotics are a great way to correct the chemical imbalances that can sometimes occur in your gut after events like stress or a course of antibiotics.
One source of antibiotics, a cultured milk named Kefir, has been in the news recently as a 'superfood'. It contains more probiotics than yogurt, as well as having a healthy dose of calcium. Its a great option for those of you who may be lactose-intolerant, as it contains lactase, the enzyme that you are missing.
That's not all though. The latest word is that probiotics applied directly to your skin can reduce sun damage and slow the effects of aging. Although this would certainly not be harmful, we think probiotics are far for effective taken internally.
Omega 3
You may have heard of "good fats" and "bad fats" - well Omega 3 fatty acids are the "good fats". As well as a host of other health benefits, Omega 3 oils strengthen the cell membrane and enable the healthy passage of nutrients and waste products through your skin. It also influences the skin's ability to hold water.
There are some great supplements containing Omega 3 fish oil, you can find them in any health store. The best natural sources include walnuts, canola oil and flax seed.
Water
Water is a natural
body cleanser and can do wonders for your complexion, but it is also an
important element in keeping your skin young and beautiful. Be one of the few
people to drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day and you will notice
your skin looking rejuvenated and younger.
When your skin dries out it becomes less elastic and more
prone to wrinkles. It also makes it more susceptible to damage from the sun or
from smoke. All this means that it is extremely important to keep your skin
hydrated all the time, so that it can protect itself against the world.
The best way is to drink lots of water but, failing that,
moisturisers are very helpful too. The night moisturisers are an excellent
choice as they can work for hours without being rubbed or sweated off.
Foods that can Harm your Skin
Free Radicals
So what exactly are
Free Radicals? They are unstable cells that become loose and wreak havoc with
your skin and cellular structure, aging you and causing wrinkles in the long
term.
These free radicals become loose due to a number of reasons
- external threats, such as the sun, wind and pollution, and internal threats,
such as the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Foods to be be wary of are
those that are high in fat and sugar.
Alcohol
We all know that
alcohol can dehydrate your skin, leaving it red or blotchy both during drinking
and in the morning. But drinking also has longer term effects on your skin.
Drinking alcohol tends to permanently enlarge the blood
vessels near the skin's surface, causing itchiness, uneven tone and red spots.
If you've ever seen the skin of a long-term alcoholic, you'll recognise exactly
this redness.
Top 10 Beauty Tips
1. Coconut Oil
Whenever I put on coconut oil, it reminds me of holidays in Thailand
This sweet-smelling, natural oil has antioxidant properties
to combats premature aging, absorbs well into the skin and it doesn't leave any
residue.
Coconut oil is also a great tool to keep your hair healthy,
shiny and strong. The oil increases circulation on the scalp, supplying
nutrients to the hair follicles. Just apply it, starting from the scalp and
working it out through to the ends. Massage the head for a few minutes to work
the oil well into the follicles. Leave it for 1 hour, then shampoo well and
condition.
Yet another great use for coconut oil is as a delicious,
gentle exfoliant - just mix it with a little sugar and rub into your body and
face.
2. Eyelash and
Eyebrow Tinting
Here are two tips that are great for days swimming and at
the beach. No more running mascara and panda eyes when you step out of the
pool!
Firstly, to really make your eyes pop, dye the lashes
blue-black. Most people's eyelashes are naturally much lighter at the roots and
tips, but this way you can leave the house looking like you are wearing mascara
when you are not.
This procedure is a must for blondes, and its completely
safe and pain free. Most beauty salons can help you with this - it takes around
20 minutes and lasts as long as 6 weeks.
Secondly, using eye brow pencil on your eyebrows will make
them look thicker and more defined. Even if you're not wearing makeup, this
will stop you getting that washed out look. It should only take you 5 minutes,
and it lasts up to 6 weeks.
3. Blush
4. Evian Water Spray
Here's a great pick-me-up for your skin. Its especially good
when travelling by airplane in dehydrating and stagnant air, but its always a
great last minute beauty tip to give you that extra edge.
A quick spray of Evian mist is very hydrating for the outer
layers of your skin, and will give it an instantly youthful texture.
There are other brands of spray too so it doesn't have to be
Evian. If you fly business class you'll often get a free one in your
complimentary travel bag, so keep hold of it!
5. Dry Shampoo
If you want to get rid of greasy hair, but you don't have
time to wash it, give dry shampoo a go. The ingredients in this product soak up
the oil quickly and freshen up your hair.
Try Aveda Pure Abundance hair potion or Oscar Blandi Pronto
dry shampoo. Or you can use baby powder as a cheap and easy alternative. Just
sprinkle it on your roots, rub your head with a towel, and brush off.
6. De-Stress Yourself
Stress impacts your body in many negative ways, not least of
which is your complexion. A few simple changes to your diet though, can do
wonders for your stress levels.
Firstly, stay off the coffee as much as possible, as it can
cause jitters and anxiety. Try relaxing drinks like Chamomile or Kava Kava
instead.
Your lifestyle can also contribute to stress levels, so here
are a few ideas to calm down when you get home. Meditation, Tai Chi and Yoga
are excellent.
A hot bath, to soothing music and candlelight, will also
reduce your stress levels no end. And if that doesn't work, try convincing your
partner to give you a relaxing massage!
7. Neck, Chest,
Hands!
Do you even notice someone with very youthful skin on their
face, but then you see the aging signs on the neck, chest and hands? Most
people spend lots of time on their complexion, but forget the rest of their
body.
Your neck and shoulders can get almost the same amount of
sun as your face, so you should give them the same protective treatment. Its
particularly important to take care of your hands. When you drive they get
exposed to the sun through your car windows, and activities like washing dishes
can damage them too.
Make sure you pay lots of attention to these areas and
you'll be thankful later. Try to apply a daily moisturizer of at least SPF 15.
8. Waxing
Waxing can be a bit uncomfortable - but it gets rid of
unwanted hair. What many people don't realize is that it can be a great
exfoliant too.
Waxing not only rips the hair out from the root, but also
removes the very top layer of your skin, along with all the impurities that lie
on the surface.
This is great before applying any self-tanning products as
they will go on evenly without streaking. However, to avoid any irritation it’s
best to wait 24 hours before applying these products.
9. Anti-Wrinkle
Pillow
Try to sleep on your back as much as possible - sleeping on
your side and stomach can cause wrinkles. Either way, think about getting
yourself an anti-wrinkle pillow.
Silk and Satin are better than cotton. They are smoother and
cause fewer of the sleep-lines that will eventually turn into wrinkles.
10. Lip Plumping
Products
Instead of paying for expensive lip injections, why not try
some lip plumping products first? Ingredients in these products cause the lips
to swell, as well as decreasing the appearance of fine lines around the mouth.
The plumping effect is immediate, lasts up to 48 hours and
doesn’t cause any irritation. The LipFusion, Maxolip, and Celebrity Pout brands
are excellent.
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