Healthy Foods, Healthy Skin. Check out our guest esthetician's tips to eat your way to great skin. Your skin will thank you for eating these simple foods.
December 31st is a time for us all to reflect on the past year, all that we have done, that we have learned from and that we wish to accomplish for the new year for a better self and a better life. Once it’s 11:59pm and the countdown begins, everyone is excited and optimistic and looking forward for the clock to strike midnight and they are given another chance, another blank slate to create a better life. The moment that 12:00am hits, January 1st is day one of working to accomplish all those New Year’s Resolutions that you wish to achieve. Whether it’s to lose weight, get healthy, be happy…whatever goals you have your heart set on, this is it, this is now. So get your list of resolutions and add ‘Eating Your Way To Great Skin’ to that list. I’m not saying inhale only greens to work on your skin, but knowing what foods are powerful and great for achieving healthy skin. There are so many, I decided to come up with my favorite Healthy Foods and all the benefits they provide for you to incorporate them into your ‘healthier you’ meals.
The Miracle of Green Tea
The power of green tea is absolutely amazing. By drinking this magical tea, hot or cold, you will not only get all the health benefits but all the skin miracles. Green tea provides you with a natural source of caffeine that will not give you the jitters like coffee with but it will help tighten your skin. Your skin will stay supple as Green tea will keep your dehydrated skin hydrated, brighter and the EGCG will not only help for weight loss but will also help with inflammation and redness which is great for those with acne and rosacea. The rich antioxidants help protect your skin from damage from free radicals and will also help slow the process of wrinkles and aging.
Cooking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with not only because it adds an awesome taste to your food but it is also great for your health. Olive oil created from the olives from the Mediterranean Basin are rich of antioxidants and rich fat that is so wonderful for your skin. Extra virgin olive oil has the ability to lower blood pressure which in turn lowers stress. EVOO also has great anti-inflammatory benefits that help with psoriasis and eczema. Another great benefit from extra virgin olive oil is that it helps protect your skin by strengthening a built-in defense to sun exposure and environmental hazards which cause your skin to age.
Coconut Oil Does Wonders
Coconut oil is made up of 90% saturated fats. Capric acid and lauric acid helps with inflammation and acne inflammation but also helps in UV inflammation on the skin. Coconut oil helps with premature aging and wrinkles. Personally, I feel my skin looks softer and brighter after eating it for several months. If the idea of eating tsps. of coconut oil throughout the day gags you (I know some have tried and hated it!) there are supplements to make it a little easier. Coconut oil should be used an addition to your dietary intake.
Bright and Beautiful Colored Fruits and Veggies
Having bright fruits and vegetables throughout the day in addition to having them a part of your meals is a great way to get antioxidants which helps slows the aging process, prevents free radicals, and prevents skin damage. Besides the obvious health benefits, you get from eating these wonderful foods, your skin will benefit as well. Don’t forget to eat an apple a day, not to only keep the doctor away but to enjoy the vitamin A that works as retinol for your skin.
Indulge in Dark Chocolate
This is one of my mother’s favorite beauty tips as she loves chocolate! Dark chocolate is wonderful for your health including your heart health by lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack. Dark chocolate has proven to increase blood flow resulting in a beautiful glow to your skin. Another great thing about this wonderful treat is that it is mood enhancing which lowers stress hormones. When stress hormones are lowered, there are fewer wrinkles, less collagen loss and a better, happier you!
When searching for this delicious treat, make sure you grab some with at least 70% cocoa, otherwise you’re not getting all the full benefits. Studies show that two to three ounces a week will give you those benefits without you having to sacrifice your skinny jeans. I personally like starting my day on a good note so I savor a one ounce square while sipping my coffee every morning.
My Absolute Favorite: Sushi
If I had to choose just one meal to eat for the rest of my life, sushi would be the winner. This Japanese cuisine is great not only for your health but your skin as well. Rolls with crab or shrimp contain a mineral Selenium that protects your skin from free radicals helping slow down the aging process. Sushi that contains salmon and tuna have key antioxidants and CoenzymeQ10, Omega3s and Omega6s which are healthy fatty acids that are essential for your health. Your skin becomes softened as it helps with dryness as it creates a natural oil barrier for your skin. This wonderful treat helps lower blood pressure, increases metabolism and balances hormones which play a huge part on good skin health.
Replace Your Breakfast With Whole Grain Oatmeal
Whole grain oatmeal has the protein to make you feel full longer so you don’t have to binge on snacks to hold you over to the next meal. Oatmeal provides you with refined carbs which increases your insulin and produces the hormone androgens. This will help your sebaceous glands secrete oils to help prevent clogged pores that lead to acne. If those aren’t enough reasons on why you should be eating your whole grain oatmeal, it has been proven to be a great benefit towards healthy heart health. To add to the nutrients and benefits, add some blueberries, strawberries, almonds and cinnamon to a delicious yet healthy meal. Thanks to such sites as Pinterest, I have found so many delicious combinations and my new favorite, overnight oats. Check out some recipes and find your favorites!
These are some of my favorite foods and ingredients to add to my daily healthy foods and I really swear by them. Not only will you start to feel better physically and mentally, your skin will also benefit greatly from adding these simple foods to your life.
I’m not saying to not enjoy that Danish or slice of pizza because heck, I won’t deprive myself from them either. But I am asking you to take a look at what you eat daily, see what you can replace or even add a healthier food to your day. Making some healthier decisions, drinking the recommended amount of water daily, avoiding smoking and really limiting the amount of alcohol you drink can really help you in promoting beautiful, radiant, healthy skin. So grab a notebook and pencil and create a list of New Year’s resolutions that you can reach and maintain and take a foot into 2016 with optimism and new healthy choices.
Blog Written by askderm's Guest Esthetician
Blog Written by askderm's Guest Esthetician
Stephanie Ivonne is a New Jersey licensed Esthetician. Her fun-loving, outgoing personality will shine through her product selections & reviews to help you discover the hottest skincare and beauty products.
When Stephanie is not scouring the internet for the next hot skincare product, she is a mother to two wonderful biological children, a dedicated foster mom and is devoted to her husband of 13 years.