Five Foods Your Skin Needs Now!

By BR Amelia

Eating. Isn’t it just the greatest? Is there anything more enjoyable than putting something delicious into your mouth, feeling its flavours wash over your tongue, enjoying that feeling of satisfaction as you swallow, followed by the sensation of satiety when your stomach and brain do some amazing dance that tells each other you’ve had enough. It’s all rather brilliant. However, it does pay to think about what you’re eating, especially if you’re aiming to look as youthful as you can for as long as you can. 

We’re often told that what we put into something is what we get out, and that goes especially for our bodies. Sugar, sugar and more sugar (mmmmmmm, Skiiitttllllles) is all well and good, but it needs to be in moderation, especially if we want our skin to look nice, as too much sugar has a nasty habit of damaging collagen and elastin, with the knock on effect of older looking, wrinkled skin. 

So what should we be eating if we want to maintain our youthful glow? Here are our top five picks. 

Berries! We couldn’t choose just one of nature’s little drops of goodness. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are little antioxidant powerhouses, containing anthocyanin (that’s what gives them their colour) and Vitamin C, which helps to protect against and neutralise free radical damage, while encouraging collagen production. Whether scoffed by the handful in summer or blended into a smoothie, your skin will thank you for adding these gems into your diet. 

Tomatoes are another antioxidant-filled fruit. Brimming with lycopene they’re great for helping promote youthful looking skin. Lycopene is at its most potent when cooked, which means you can get your tomato fix all year round – from chilled tomato soups made with fresh tomatoes in summer through to hearty hot tomato-based dishes in winter.

Go nuts for seeds! Seeds are your skin’s friend, especially almonds. Fun fact, almonds aren’t nuts, they’re actually seeds. I know!? Almonds are kind of magic in that they’re filled with Vitamin E, whose antioxidants help protect your skin from UV rays, therefore keeping it looking younger, longer. (That’s no excuse to not wear sunblock though.) Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are also super tasty sources of Vitamin E – hmmm, anyone tempted to whip up some seedy homemade muesli right about now? 

Salmon! This aquatic treasure isn’t just tasty, it’s also super good for your skin. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon (especially wild Pacific salmon) contains a powerful antioxidant called astaxanthin, which helps prevent UV damage and, according to early studies, (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22428137) may well help with reducing wrinkles and age spots while improving skin texture and hydration. I think it’s fair to say this pretty pink-fleshed fishy well and truly earns its spot as a skin super food. 

Lastly, broccoli is a must if you’re after glowing skin. Those green stalky leafy things are brimming with Vitamin C and Vitamin E, making it high in antioxidants, great at helping with collagen production and another food that can help protect against UV rays. Not a broccoli fan? Get stuck into kale or spinach.

Of course, while it would be nice to think we could get away with late nights, early starts, skipping our skincare routine, sunbathing and other activities that have less than desirable effects on our skin, by simply eating well, it pays to remember that this isn’t a quick fix. In fact it’s good to consider eating well as part of your skincare routine. So keep drinking water, keep pampering your skin with suitable products, get your sleep and enjoy treats in moderation, and you’ll no doubt reap the rewards.

Will you be changing up your diet in the hope of improving your skin? Does your diet already tick all the best skin food boxes? Have you discovered any other foods that have made a difference? Chat away…