Eating Your Skincare
People always say ‘you are what you eat’, and in the case of skincare, this cannot be more true. The food we eat not only fuels us for our midweek Pilates session or tennis match, it also impacts our skin and overall appearance. We have all been bombarded with the importance of having a regular and suited skincare ritual to achieve glowy skin. However, the best form of skincare is our diet, which is not talked about enough. I mean it makes sense. You could have a gleaming, seven-step skincare routine with products from Korea or France, but unfortunately all of those products would be wasted if your diet mainly consists of fast food and ready meals.
So how does food affect our faces?
Dermalogica states that eating a varied and well-balanced diet ensures that you are getting essential proteins and lipids to strengthen your skin barrier. Olay went further and stated that fish is rich in proteins that promote collagen and elastin production. Collagen is what gives our skin a plump and bounce-back texture. Additionally, fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation.
The foods we eat can also protect us from harmful UV rays, which speed up the signs of aging, promote skin discolourations and can lead to harmful illnesses. The foods responsible for this protection are colourful fruit and veg, such as berries, tomatoes and watermelon. This is because they are rich in antioxidants, as well as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Both of these vitamins help skin cell production and healing. So if you find yourself soaking up some summer sun, why not counteract the negative impacts of UV rays with a bowl of strawberries or some watermelon slices?
Dermalogica also stated that the areas on our face that are most affected by our diet are the chin and forehead. Eating badly may not directly cause highly painful, cystic acne, but it can cause inflammation, small bumps or areas of dryness/flakiness.
Not only do we need to ensure that we are eating the right foods, we also need to make sure we are eating enough. Our skin is the first sign of deficiency; our other, more vital organs are more of a priority. Therefore, skipping meals is not the answer to clearing your skin.
Supplements can also be very beneficial for our skin. Sometimes it can be hard to ensure we are getting every single nutrient into our bodies, especially in the colder seasons, where some types of food may be scarce. Many people have taken to implementing supplements into their routine. I always take Vitamin D during winter to ensure that, even though the sun isn’t out, my body is not deficient.
Another vital component of our diets – which I am sure you can guess – is water. I like to make sure I am drinking at least 2 litres of water a day and use hydration dissolvable tablets when doing any strenuous exercise. Drinking enough water helps your skin cells absorb the nutrients they need. Additionally, if we do not drink enough water, our lymphatic systems become stagnant and build up, resulting in our faces looking puffy and tired. Enough water will ensure that our lymphatic systems are drained.
Eating Your Skincare
Dermalogica states that eating a varied and well-balanced diet ensures that you are getting essential proteins and lipids to strengthen your skin barrier. Olay went further and stated that fish is rich in proteins that promote collagen and elastin production. Collagen is what gives our skin a plump and bounce-back texture. Additionally, fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation.
The foods we eat can also protect us from harmful UV rays, which speed up the signs of aging, promote skin discolourations and can lead to harmful illnesses. The foods responsible for this protection are colourful fruit and veg, such as berries, tomatoes and watermelon. This is because they are rich in antioxidants, as well as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Both of these vitamins help skin cell production and healing. So if you find yourself soaking up some summer sun, why not counteract the negative impacts of UV rays with a bowl of strawberries or some watermelon slices?
Dermalogica also stated that the areas on our face that are most affected by our diet are the chin and forehead. Eating badly may not directly cause highly painful, cystic acne, but it can cause inflammation, small bumps or areas of dryness/flakiness.
Not only do we need to ensure that we are eating the right foods, we also need to make sure we are eating enough. Our skin is the first sign of deficiency; our other, more vital organs are more of a priority. Therefore, skipping meals is not the answer to clearing your skin.
Supplements can also be very beneficial for our skin. Sometimes it can be hard to ensure we are getting every single nutrient into our bodies, especially in the colder seasons, where some types of food may be scarce. Many people have taken to implementing supplements into their routine. I always take Vitamin D during winter to ensure that, even though the sun isn’t out, my body is not deficient.
Another vital component of our diets – which I am sure you can guess – is water. I like to make sure I am drinking at least 2 litres of water a day and use hydration dissolvable tablets when doing any strenuous exercise. Drinking enough water helps your skin cells absorb the nutrients they need. Additionally, if we do not drink enough water, our lymphatic systems become stagnant and build up, resulting in our faces looking puffy and tired. Enough water will ensure that our lymphatic systems are drained.
Now that we know how different foods can impacts our skin, here are some foods to avoid for better looking skin.
- Refined sugars and white carbs – this includes pasta, white bread, pastries and cereals. Swap these out for wholemeal carbs such as seeded brown bread, sweet potato, whole grains and, of course, fruits.
- Dairy – Although dairy does help our body in other ways like being rich in calcium, overindulging on dairy can have negative impacts on your skin. Dairy has been known to trigger acne for some people, especially if mixed with refined sugars (e.g. ice cream).
- Alcohol – This is a big one! Alcohol has virtually zero positive impacts on our bodies, which I am sure we all have experience with. Too much alcohol can trigger acne due to the impact it has onour liver and its dehydrating effects. Try to cut back and take part in challenges such as Dry January to truly see what effect alcohol has on our skin.
Glowing on the outside starts with cleaning up the inside. Eating healthily has always been the best way to maintain your body, look good and feel good. However, this does not mean that you must now avoid anything bad for you at all costs. It is all about finding balance and consistency within your diet, and most importantly, doing what is best for you.