How to Eat for Better Skin

Toxins, impurities, pollution, food additives, artificial coloring and flavoring, and parabens--with all these factors present in our world today, it’s no wonder your skin sometimes needs help to feel fresh and dewy. Chances are, you don’t live on a mountaintop with cool, clear water to drink, and fresh, cleansing air to breathe. (Well, maybe you do, in which case, this doesn’t apply to you!) In any event, the toxins in our environment these days are doing a number on your skin, and they can leave your epidermis parched and thirsty for nourishment. A little TLC from the inside out can do wonders, and it can help your skin feel invigorated and soft once again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A kitchen of foods that are helpful in promoting healthy, happy skin
• A plan for incorporating these foods into your diet every day
• A skin regime that includes the topical use of food products for an all-natural glow

1. Determine which foods are skin-friendly, and which foods are not. Write down what you typically eat in a week, and analyze the contents. Do you need to cut out some foods that are not so great for your skin? Do you eat too much junk and not enough whole foods? Once you’ve determined what you need to add and eliminate in terms of your diet, you can begin your journey back to better skin nourishment and health.

2. Some foods to avoid are:
   
   · Sugar
   · White flour
   · Fried foods, such as French fries, onion rings, and chicken fingers
   · Fast foods, such as Hamburgers, fried chicken, and breakfast sandwiches
   · Saturated fats
   · Potato chips
   
   These foods can cause skin ailments like acne and blackheads, by trapping bacteria and oil underneath your skin.
   
   Some foods to incorporate into your diet are:
   
   · Fish. Any kind of fish is great, except for fried fish. Fish is high in Omega 3s, which is known for its contribution to good heart health.
   · Blueberries. Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are just about the most perfect food around.
   · Carrots. Since vitamin A is essential for beautiful skin, carrots are naturally the best source. They are very high in vitamin A, as well as being high in antioxidants, fiber, potassium and vitamin C.
   · Flaxseed oil. This sturdy little oil is wonderful for you in many respects. As well as being great for the complexion, flaxseed oil is also a good digestive aid and is high in Omega 3s.
   · Foods rich in vitamin E, such as mustard greens, Swiss chard, raw sunflower seeds, broccoli, spinach, almonds, olive oil, tomatoes and kiwi.
   · Foods rich in vitamin A, such as beef, liver, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, mango, spinach, kale, broccoli--and carrots, of course!
   · Green tea. This miracle of nature is a natural boon to preventative care, and it is an important factor in your skin care maintenance.
   · Water. Of course, water is the best kept beauty secret. Water is essential in keeping skin healthy and glowing. Drink 8 glasses a day for best results.

3. Maintain your skin’s beauty by incorporating into your daily diet the foods you know will help. There are many great recipes that include these ingredients; you just have to do a little research and experimentation.
   
   According to Mike Adams, Editor of NewsTarget.com and author of over a dozen books on health and nutrition, a good way to nourish your skin is to invest in a juicer and create your own smoothies, using fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts (soaked in water first). Your skin will love you for it.

4. Experiment with topical solutions to skin problems, using foods as your regime.

5. Whip up a raw egg and smooth it on your face. Wait 15 minutes, or until the egg is completely dry, and then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth. Finish with your favorite toner and moisturizer. Note: Do not try this if you are allergic to eggs, or are egg-sensitive.
   
   · Mash up half of an avacado and spread it onto your face. After about 20 minutes, wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth.
   
   · Mix 2 tablespoons of cornmeal with water until it makes a paste. Smooth the mixture on your face, and wait 10 minutes. Then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth.
   
   · For a natural toner, try Rose water or Orange Blossom water. Look for these in a specialty store, or health food store.
   
   Another toner to try is Tea Tree oil mixed with water; about 2 drops oil to ½ cup of water. Tea Tree oil is known to have great medicinal value, as well as being an effective antidote for troubled skin.
   
   · One of the best natural moisturizers around is--ready?--Extra Virgin olive oil! Use this beauty secret, which is rapidly becoming less of a secret each day, to gently moisturize your skin with no harsh chemicals or additives. Place a few drops into the palm of your hand, and rub gently on your face at night. In the morning your skin will feel soft and renewed.

Tips & Warnings

• Oils such as flaxseed oil and olive oil can be incorporated easily into your diet, by using them in place of other fats you would normally add to your dishes. You can even try them in baking. Make sure that you use Light olive oil in your baking, as it has a milder flavor than the Extra Virgin variety.
• Make sure that the amount of vitamin A you consume does not exceed 700 micrograms, or mcgs, per day. Vitamin A is fat soluble, which means that what is not used by the body is absorbed, rather than just flushed out. It is therefore possible to have too much vitamin A. If you are taking a supplement, make sure you monitor the amount of foods you eat that are rich in vitamin A. Note: The maximum amount of vitamin A stated here is based on the assumption that you are an adult. The maximum amount varies depending on whether you are an infant, a child, pregnant, or lactating. Consult your doctor or nutritionist if you have a question regarding how much vitamin A you should be consuming per day.

Resources

• WHFoods.org

[AbbyNormal]

on 2/9/2008 This article is very good.

[Ophelia-Rising]

on 12/30/2007 Thank you very much! I'm glad I could be of help.

[CCrock]

on 12/30/2007 Great article. You listed some very useful information and ideas.