Skin Superfoods

Skin Superfoods

Today we know so much about the benefits of certain foods to our bodies but we wanted to put together a list of our favorite superfoods for your skin. Your skin absolutely benefits from the foods you eat from the texture, clarity and anti aging benefits. We hope you are inspired to add these items to your diet and learn a thing or two along the way.

Avocados

Avocados contain the “good fats,” which play a huge role in keeping your skin moisturized and flexible. They are enriched with vitamins A, D and E that protect your skin from oxidative damage. Avocado flesh contains 63% oleic acid, which upon consumption triggers sebaceous glands to secrete oily semi-fluid natural sebum that keeps your skin hydrated and helps muscles and joints stay agile. The healthy avocado fats have proven to be great for moisturizing the skin, vitamins C and E which are avocado antioxidants helps to fight free radicals that cause harm to your skin, in other words, avocado smoothens wrinkles. It contains collagen and elastin proteins, which maintain the structure and elasticity of your skin.

We believe in the power of avocado so much we use avocado oil in our Body Wash and Body Lotion

 

Watermelon

Your skin is 93% water. Eating watermelon helps keep skin fresh, rejuvenated and hydrated. The fruit is packed with vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants, hence keeping your skin from aging. Watermelon juice cuts down on skin oil, which makes your skin glow, reduces acne and pimples, and helps revitalize the skin. This fruit exfoliates the skin and acts as a natural toner, making your skin look fresh and young. Watermelon is rich in carotenoid known as lycopene, which is a compound that reduces skin reddening and erythema caused by exposure to UV light.

 

Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C which improves your skin texture and color, prevents premature skin aging, and makes the skin glow. Antioxidants present in oranges fight free radicals and as a result slowing down production of wrinkles to your skin. Orange peels contain a higher content of vitamin C than the fruit itself, the compound limonene found in the peel oil helps in reducing suntans by deflecting harmful UV rays from attacking your skin cells.

For a brightening facemask dry out orange peels and process in a food processor to a powder. Mix 2 teaspoons orange peel powder with 1 tsp. organic honey and 1 tsp. yogurt. Mix, apply, enjoy for 20 minutes and rinse.

 

Berries

Berries are a skin superfood because they contain nutrients, which assist your body produce collagen, a substance, which will keep your skin smooth and supple. Black berries for instance are a rich source of vitamins A and C, they are full of skin-friendly antioxidants that neutralize damaging free radicals and aid in skin cell renewal. This type of berry contains more than 85% of water with plentiful dose of fiber, which are both essential for a healthy-looking skin. Blackberries detoxify your body and maintain your skins elasticity.

Try a face mask made with berries to rejuvenate your skin with vitamins A, C and K and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Mash blueberries, a pinch of turmeric and lemon juice. Mix, apply, enjoy for 20 minutes and rinse.

 

Walnuts

These are the only type of nuts high in Omega-3 fatty acids which amp the production of collagen in your body. Collagen is a protein, which helps in improving skin elasticity and prevents skin sagging, and therefore leaves your skin youthful and plum. Omega-3 fats in walnuts strengthens skin cell membranes, locks in moisture and nutrients that keep it plum and glowing including keeping out toxins that can damage your skin cells. These healthy fats reduce skin inflammation and help soothe dry skin by attracting moisture from the air and protects your skin from harmful UV rays. On a side note, while we love walnuts and all nuts to eat for their benefits we never suggest using a facial scrub made with nuts and seeds. These are extremely abrasive and can damage your skin. 

 

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a skin super food since they contain all major carotenoids including lycopene, lutein and Beta-carotene, which protect your skin against damage from the sun and prevents wrinkling of the skin. They contain vitamin C, which ensures your skin glows and looks healthy. Tomatoes and associated products enable your skin to absorb oxygen hence preventing premature aging this is because it offers natural treatment for the skin making it look younger and healthy. 16 milligrams consumption of lycopene a day reduces the number of free radicals in the body giving you a youthful skin.

 

Kale

Kale is a great sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, these nutrients absorb and neutralize free radicals created by UV light preventing them from penetrating and reaching your skin. Kale also contains vitamin A, an antioxidant which promotes healthy skin cell turnover. It also helps prevent skin diseases. Juice made from kale acts as a detoxifier, it cleanses the body from within and translates outside giving you healthy glowing skin.

 

Broccoli

Broccoli contains vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that support collagen production in the body, which improves your skins elasticity and reduces wrinkles. Vitamin C fights free radicals, which tend to speed up the aging process, hence keeping your skin looking youthful. Vitamin K on the other hand, present in broccoli, helps in healing body bruises. Sulforaphane in broccoli makes it a natural sunscreen, which protects your skin against skin cancer, it also works wonders when it comes to skin repair and ensuring your skin complexion maintains a natural glow.

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a source of beta-carotene, a compound, which your body converts to vitamin A, an antioxidant that protects your skin from UV damage and speeds up healing of sun damaged skin. The mineral Zinc in pumpkin helps your skin stay acne free, this is because zinc promotes cell turnover and renewal keeping your skin looking fresh, healthy, and supple all the time. Pumpkin is a super skin food because it heals blemishes and dark spots on your skin. The vitamin B present in it nourishes your skin and helps increase blood circulation, which increases cell turnover and renewal.

Because of the natural enzymes pumpkin prompts an exfoliating action to your skin, which helps to dissolve the discoloration of blemished skin. 2 tbsp. fresh Pumpkin puree, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 tsp. raw honey, 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar. Mix, apply, enjoy for 20 minutes and rinse.

 

Salmon

Salmon is a healthy for your skin because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which serve as building blocks for healthy skin cells. They ensure your skin stays thick, supple, and moisturized. Salmon is a skin super food because it aids in calming inflammation, which leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon allows your skin to make healthy oils and helps your skin maintain its elasticity. Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is also a rich source of vitamin D, which is great for skin cell growth and repair, and can protect your skin from UV damage because of its photoprotective effects. Generally, fatty fish like sardines, mackerel and herring provide the mineral zinc which is responsible for anti-inflammation and faster healing of wounds. They are also rich in high quality protein and vitamin E, which keeps your skin healthy.

 

Soy

Soy is a skin superfood because it contains isoflavones, a compound, which protects your cells from damage and your skin from UV radiation. It also contains phospholipids, phytosterols, saponins, vitamins, omegas, minerals and protein. In sebaceous acne soy can help balance out androgens and help the body achieve better hormonal balance.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a rich source of plant compounds with antioxidant properties, it contains cocoa, which hydrates your skin making it less sensitive to sunburns. The antioxidant nature of this sweet treat recovers skin thickness, facilitates better blood flow bringing nutrients to your skin, and greatly improves your skin texture. Dark chocolate may also improve blood flow in the arteries thereby improving circulation. Better blood flow to the skin results in healthier, glowing skin. Your hair, arteries, blood sugar levels and mood will also enjoy the benefits of dark chocolate.

We hope you have learned a few things about these skin superfoods and find ways to incorporate them into your diet. Bon appetite!