Everyone loves the idea of having radiant, healthy, and younger-looking skin, and in order to achieve this, it’s important to focus on your diet as well as your skincare routine. Of course, it is unrealistic to expect to find a magic ingredient that will instantly transform the appearance of your skin. However, the decisions you make about what to put into your body can definitely have an impact – both positively and negatively. Eating a diet that’s packed with vitamins and minerals can go a long way towards keeping your skin youthful and healthy, so here’s some advice regarding what should – and shouldn’t – be on the menu.
What to avoid
In order to keep your skin in top condition, there are certain lifestyle habits and food choices that you should avoid. Perhaps the most well-known of these is smoking, which can cause premature aging of the skin as well as increase the risk of developing damaging conditions such as eczema. It’s also important to always wear sunscreen when you spend time outdoors in order to prevent excessive exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun. This not only keeps your skin looking its best, but it also reduces the risk of developing skin cancer.
When it comes to food specifically, there are a few categories that you want to steer clear of. These include processed meats, fried foods, and those with a high salt content such as fries, as well as foods with a high glycemic index such as white bread. It’s also wise to make sure that you don’t drink too much alcohol or sugary sodas – these are bad for you for many different reasons!
The importance of a good skincare routine
In addition to wearing sunscreen and avoiding certain habits and food, there are lots of different products you can incorporate into your skincare routine to ensure a radiant complexion. These include some truly innovative and impressive devices from companies such as NuFACE that use microcurrent to improve facial contour and tone, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Other key products to consider using are hydrating moisturizers, eye creams, nourishing serums, and similar treatments. You should also be sure to remove your makeup every night before you go to sleep in order to allow your skin to breathe, stop your pores from getting clogged up, and enable the skincare products you’re using to be as effective as possible.
Foods that are good for your skin
So you know what to avoid and how to maintain a good routine, but what food can help you? It will probably come as no surprise that fruits and vegetables are top of the list when it comes to foods that are great for keeping your skin healthy. Some of the best include avocados, which are high in lutein and vitamin E, and pomegranate seeds. Other key ingredients to look out for are oranges, which are rich in vitamin C, and blueberries. The latter are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, helping to reduce inflammation and signs of aging as well as preserve collagen – a protein that’s essential for supple skin.
In addition, salmon is great to include in your diet because it’s bursting with omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent dry skin. Try to also consume plenty of complex carbohydrates because these won’t spike your blood sugar (which can aggravate acne). Oats are an especially beneficial choice because they contain a natural chemical that can soothe irritated skin and prevent damage to the cells – hence why they are often spotted on the ingredients list of beauty products!
Finally, some extra good news – eating dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more) is fully recommended for healthy skin! This is due to the fact that it contains antioxidants called flavanols, which help to protect the skin from sun damage. Who said healthy eating has to be boring?
