No matter what season we’re in or what’s “on trend”, there’s always one thing that stays in style — clear, healthy skin. Looking at flawless skin on the runways and in editorial photos can have us green-eyed with envy but hydration is attainable, we promise! By adding a few of our favourite foods to your diet, you’ll see an improvement in your skin in no time.
Turmeric
This spice is a God-send for any and all skin issues. Acne, eczema, dermatitis, blemishes, you name it, turmeric can help. In fact, this is why India and China have been using it for a multitude of different diseases for over 2000 years. Ingesting it can help regulate your gut and as it’s full of antioxidants, it’s great for glowing skin.
Take it a step further and try creating a turmeric paste for your skin. With its anti-inflammatory properties, reduce itchiness, redness, scars, wrinkles and heal wounds. Simply add a little turmeric to flour such as chickpea flour with odourless oil (Indian sesame oil is a favourite but simple vegetable oil will do) and water and watch your complexion transform.
Note: a little turmeric goes a long way. If you’re worried about staining your face yellow, keep the layers thing and keep the ratio low. A recommended 6:1 ratio of flour to turmeric will keep the risk of staining down to a minimum. And don’t worry, if you stain, it won’t be permanent.
Fish
The fattier, the better! Fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna or mackerel are perfect for getting in those Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). For years, we’ve heard how omega-3 and omega-6 acids are great for overall health and that includes your skin. By eating more fish, you can avoid clogged pores plus keep your cell membranes strong. It’s important for your membranes to get stronger as they let the right nutrients in while keeping the bad stuff out. Important, no?
Tomatoes
Including the three colours, red, yellow and green, is important in any diet but tomatoes get a special shout-out for one particular reason. High in the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are superstars at fighting sun damage. Anyone with sun sensitivity or pigmentation issues should be hopping on the tomato train.
When choosing tomatoes, remember: “The darker and brighter the color, the more nutrients.” In fact, apply this when choosing your yellow and green veggies too. You won’t go wrong. Cook your tomatoes to make it easy for your body to absorb, especially in “healthy fats, like avocado or olive oil”.
Green Herbs
Herbs like cilantro, basil, parsley and mint are excellent for healthy looking skin as they’re chock-full of antioxidants and vitamin A. Cilantro is great for healing the skin and balancing hormones while basil is perfect for acne sufferers. Adding any of these herbs to your meal will bring out the best in your skin.
Nuts & Seeds
Protein and minerals and EFAs, oh my! Nuts and seeds are essential for healthy skin and a healthy diet. Thanks to a trifecta of goodies, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and more can reduce inflammation and repair the skin. Have eczema or psoriasis? Nuts are a great and easy way to reduce the effects of these skin conditions.
All these foods are great for boosting your skin’s health but are nothing without water. Increasing your intake of water is a sure-fire way to clear up skin issues in a flash! Incorporate one or all these ideas for a glow the whole world will notice.