Wellness
5 Beauty Foods for Great Skin Health: Series One
In our Beauty Food series we will be delving into some of the incredible properties that everyday foods have to help maintain clear, healthy and glowing skin. Whilst there are a multitude of reasons of why our skin behaves the way it does, we at REV do believe that diet plays a contributing factor in our skin’s health. In the first of this series, our Beauty Editor Taylor discusses how grapefruit, chia seeds, olive oil, seaweed and apple cider vinegar are incredible foods to achieve great skin health.
Skin Health & Diet
My relationship with my skin has truly been an up and down kind of marriage. When I’m eating with my skin in mind, it is at its happiest. I am someone who doesn’t ever believe in cutting calories but instead eating in tune with my body and paying attention to what agrees with my skin and body. In every meal, I try and sneak in as many skin foods as I can, and luckily, they are all delicious ingredients.
Our skin looks the way it does for a multitude of reasons, and we must always look at issues holistically. Diet, however, is a very big contributing factor in our skin’s health. When our body is lacking Vitamin C, for instance, our skin can get dry and rough. The nutrient beta carotene is essential for keeping our skin naturally safe from the sun. Having a well-rounded and colorful diet is truly one of the secrets to great skin.
1. Grapefruit
There is a reason that people eat half a grapefruit every morning. Not only does it do wonders for the body in general, but it is amazing for the skin. It contains beta carotene, which our bodies convert into vitamin A. An essential for healthy skin as the antioxidant helps protect the body against free radicals, which can cause skin damage in the form of dull skin, wrinkles, pigmentation, and an uneven skin tone. Throw some in your morning smoothie or add some into your summer salad. Another benefit of grapefruit is its aromatherapy qualities. The Voyanics Grapefruit Essential Oil inspires clarity, reduces stress, and brightens your mood. Add a few drops to your bath or add a few drops into your daily oil for a brightening effect on the skin.
2. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a staple in my daily diet. They are one of my favorite sources of omega fatty acids, but they are also rich in iron and antioxidants. Omegas are essential in achieving clear, soft, and radiant skin along with strong and shiny hair. I add them into my smoothie or make an overnight chia seed pudding, which is one of my favorite quick breakfasts. Chia seeds are also incredible when applied topically on the skin. The Voganics Chia Seed Cleansing Oil is an amazing way to treat your skin to the amazing benefits of chia seeds. When used daily, this cleanser will help bring down inflammation caused by acne or rosacea while also working on improving the texture of the skin.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
I swear by apple cider vinegar for a multitude of reasons. It is fantastic for boosting the immune system and aiding digestion. It is a great source of probiotics, especially if you skip dairy. Probiotics are essential in every diet because they work on reducing inflammation within the body. Inflammation can be caused by a lot of factors, but sugar, alcohol, and coffee can all cause inflammation when consumed in excess.
Like lemon, apple cider vinegar works on balancing the body’s pH balance and helps to remove toxins, which all can cause unwanted acne on the surface of the skin. I personally enjoy a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in tea with a bit of honey, but I also add it to my salad dressings.
4. Olive Oil
Probably one of the easiest ingredients to incorporate into your diet, olive oil is a true wonder for the skin. It’s a beautiful, healthy fat that is filled with antioxidants, fatty acids, inflammatory properties, and antibacterial properties. If you’re experiencing acne on your forehead or sides of the mouth, it may be caused by inflammation within the body due to poor diet. So, it is key to work on eating anti-inflammatory ingredients. Good quality olive oil is essential, both for flavor and for its effects within the body. Use it to dress your salads and dishes throughout the day for a boost of healthy fat and flavor. It is also one of the most hydrating ingredients when applied topically. The Irene Forte Skincare range is filled with amazing organic olive oil. The Hibiscus Night Cream is a fantastic treatment to feed your skin with deep hydration from hyaluronic acid and squalene, which are both naturally occurring in olive oil.
5. Seaweed
What doesn’t seaweed contain? It is a powerhouse of vitamins, fiber, omegas, and minerals. Full of immune-boosting properties along with true skin nutrients. The antioxidants found in Seaweed help protect the body from free radicals, helping to promote healthy skin cells. It also works on supporting our gut health, which plays a huge roll in the state of our skin. If your gut isn’t happy, it is common your skin won’t be either. Seaweed is high in fiber, which directly promotes a healthy gut. Seaweed feeds the ‘good’ bacteria in your gut rather than the ‘bad’ bacteria. Haeckels is one of my favourite brands because they use local seaweed as the star of all their products. Their Kelp Bioferment is a wonder for every skin type. Kelp bioferment improves the skin’s elasticity and the carbohydrates within this product help the skin’s natural ability to heal itself.
