Five Foods to eat for Better Skin

Healthy skin starts from within and a healthy balanced diet can lead to better skin whatever your age.

In a previous blog post Five Tips for Better Skin I touched on some foods that you can incorporate into your diet for a healthy complexion.

In this blog I will explore five foods in more detail and the skin benefits of including them in your diet.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a huge love of mine for consuming and for including in my natural skincare. In fact my very first blog post was about olive oil!

Olive oil is the staple of a healthy Mediterranean diet and it is supercharged with antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce skin inflammation. Opt for Extra Virgin Olive Oil as it has more antioxidants and nutrients than the refined type.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a great snacking food and very healthy because they are bursting with vitamin C which is a super anti-ageing vitamin that protects skin from damaging free radicals. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that “higher intakes of vitamin C are associated with better skin-ageing appearance.”

Stock up on strawberries and you can also indulge in a natural berry face mask once a week by mashing them up and smoothing them on and you will literally be licking your lips!

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a good source of omega 3 fat which helps to promote healing of anti-inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Choose milled flax seed so the nutrients are easily absorbed by the body.

Flax seeds provide a whole host of health benefits and apparently Gandhi once observed “Wherever flaxseed becomes a regular food item among the people, there will be better health.”

Almonds

Almonds are one of the best food sources of Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that protects skin from cell damage and supports healthy skin growth.

Almonds are a rich source of protein which is the building block of skin.

Almonds are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which can promote skin radiance. Instead of snacking on biscuits or crisps make like a squirrel and have a stash of healthy almonds to hand.

Oats

Oats are the original breakfast superfood. They are very high in soluble fibre and complex carbohydrates and contain silicon too which is crucial for healthy skin to maintain collagen levels.

Oats are often recommended in the diet for those with dry skin and they contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation.

Oats are also high in nutrients that are vital for feeding healthy skin such as iron, calcium, Vitamins B and E.

You Are What You Eat

It is really interesting to see the connection between the foods we eat and how they can affect our appearance and what you eat can literally show up in your face.

Eating a healthy balanced diet is the name of the game and adding the above items to your shopping list if you don’t already enjoy them will feed your skin with some of the nutrients it needs for a healthy glow!