The Beautiful Skin Guide
Posted 30 March 10“I’m a firm believer that beauty starts with a healthy lifestyle.” Bobbi Brown
We all want to have a beautiful clear complexion for summer but how can we achieve this? The more nutrient-rich foods you eat, and greater protection you take against free radicals the greater you feel and the better you look!
1. Get fishy:
All fish is great for us, but salmon gets five gold stars for being one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, those beneficial fats that not only enhance our health but also our appearance.
2. Got milk? Get soy:
Studies have found that the more white stuff teens drink, the worse their acne gets. Researchers say hormones that occur naturally in cow milk may be to blame, and they believe women in their twenties and thirties could also be susceptible. “Drink milk substitutes like soy instead,” says Clement Adebamowo, an oncologist and lead researcher on these studies
3. Forget fries:
A group of researchers recently put 23 people with acne on a high-protein, low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks, and guess what? Their skin got much better. Testers had 21.9 percent fewer blemishes, versus 13.8 percent fewer for a control group that followed a high-carb diet. (Bonus: All the low-carb subjects lost weight!)
4. Yummy Yogurt:
Calcium is helpful if you want strong bones, beautiful nails, good posture, and a beautiful smile. One cup of plain, low-fat yogurt supplies about 450 milligrams of calcium. That supplies close to half of your daily calcium needs. Eight ounces of yogurt has two grams of zinc, which is beneficial for your skin. (If you have acne prone skin try look for soy alternatives.)
5. Oysters:
The expression “the world is your oyster” suggests that oysters have a world of benefits tucked inside their shell. These little gifts from the sea are the best whole-food source of zinc. People often think of oysters as an aphrodisiac, but the high zinc content of oysters is a great beauty benefit as this mineral is a major player in skin renewal and repair.
6. Blueberries:
With their bright flavour and unmistakable blue hue, blueberries seem to be trying to catch our attention. Blueberries contain many plant compounds that combine to make this sweet fruit an antioxidant superstar. The blue goodness has anti aging, and anti-inflammatory effects to protect you from premature aging. Woohoo!
7. Kiwifruit:
Kiwifruit offers a rich nutritional reward in a small, delicious package. It has an unusually abundant amount of vitamin C and other anti aging antioxidants. Kiwifruit offers beauty benefits from stimulating collagen synthesis (vital to lovely skin) to maintaining healthy bones and teeth to protecting against wrinkles and premature aging.
8. Sweet Potatoes:
The orange colour of sweet potatoes gives their secret away. Sweet potatoes are made of beauty-enhancing beta-carotene, a fat-soluble pigment found in many orange vegetables and fruits. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells by destroying the free radicals that can damage cells (including skin cells) and cause age-related disorders.
9. Spinach:
Spinach is a versatile, affordable, readily available, low-calorie leafy green vegetable that is loaded with beauty-enhancing nutrients. It is also an exceptional lutein content, which keeps our eyes healthy and bright. Spinach contains a significant amount of beta-carotene, vitamin C, several B vitamins, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, dietary fibre, and even omega-3 fatty acids.
10. Dreaded Diets:
Excessive dieting is bad for the skin so be sensible and never skip a meal. Your food is your fuel, nothing more and nothing less, and if you choose mostly healthy foods and eat a sensible amount, your body will look and feel great.
11. Sleeping Beauty:
A good night’s sleep is the mantra to beautiful skin, never compromise on your beauty sleep. It is not just a myth; a good night’s sleep will give you beautiful skin. It can get rid of dark circles under the eyes and improve your complexion. Sleep is the most valuable for renewal and repair of the skin’s tissue; and is the best time to use products to tackle breakouts, dryness and aging.
12. Tomatoes:
Beautiful red tomatoes ant aging antioxidant lycopene, the bright red carotenoid pigment that gives tomatoes, watermelons, and pink grapefruit their distinctive colour. Believe it or not, tomatoes are one food I encourage you to enjoy processed. The lycopene in tomatoes is actually more easily absorbed by the body after it is processed into juice, sauce, ketchup, or canned tomato puree.
13. Get nutty:
Smooth skin tone, healthy hair, vibrant eyes, and strong bones can all be attributed to the dominant nutrients found in nuts. However, the walnut is the most coveted of the nut family as they are the only type of nut that contains a significant amount of beauty-enhancing omega-3 fatty acids.
14.Turn to the dark side:
Chocolate may be described as “sinfully delicious,” but in fact it is a heavenly food with many virtues. Dark chocolate is a treat for your skin as well as your taste buds. Scientific articles published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and other journals reveal that dark chocolate contains as many polyphenols as red wine and has potent antioxidant, anti aging properties.
15. Stub out that cigarette:
If the constant threat of a slow, excruciating death isn’t enough to make you quit, maybe you’ll do it for your looks. Smokers’ skin is ashy, dusky and deeply wrinkled. Smoke, blocks the production of new collagen (which keeps skin firm and strong), leading to premature aging. Moreover, the smoker’s constant sucking motion causes lines around the lips.
16. Calm down:
The central nervous system is connected to both your skin and your gut, which is why you often break out or experience stomach problems when you’re feeling stressed. Stress can also elevate levels of cortisol, which is a hormone that can cause acne. If you’re on edge all day, you won’t look your best. Physical activity is an effective way to unwind.
17. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate:
Water is one of the most important beauty tools at your disposal — and it’s free. If your body is dehydrated, your skin is dehydrated. Water fills all your cells, plumping them up. Drink at least six glasses a day, and counteract the drying effects of heaters and air conditioners by using a humidifier.
18. Reduce irritation:
To prevent dry, itchy and irritated skin, avoid taking lengthy or overly hot showers or baths. Try using a less abrasive soap, such as a non-soap cleanser, and apply moisturizers after bathing. Also try and cut out spicy foods and those high in additives and MSG as these can flare up skin irritation. If dry, scaly skin is a chronic occurrence; visit a doctor for further treatment options.
19. Double your cover:
“To get a decent amount of UV protection on your face, you’d need to coat your skin with at least a tablespoonful of sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30,” says dermatologist Sandra Marchese Johnson. But who wants to layer on that much lotion? An easy solution: Apply a coat, then follow with a SPF foundation.
20. Love the skin your in:
Over 80% of the population has skin issues so you are not alone. You could be battling pigmentation, acne, dryness, irritation, unwanted hair or all of the above. The good news: You’ll grow nearly 1,000 new layers of skin throughout your lifetime, so you’ve got plenty of chances to make sure it’s smooth and glowing. That zit isn’t the end of the world…we promise!
Cosmopolitan: The Beautiful Skin
