Top 10 Foods for Great Looking Skin

Regardless of the skin care products you may apply to your skin morning and evening, there is only one sure way to ensure a fresh and glowing complexion; eat a healthy and balanced diet. Add these sure-fire beauty foods to your daily menu for soft, supple and radiant skin.

Fresh and Juicy Citrus

Known for their high levels of vitamin C, these fruit stimulate the formation of collagen which contributes to glowing and supple skin. To enjoy the benefits of vitamin C, enjoy exotic fruits such as guava or kiwi, or some less unusual varieties, such as lemons, oranges, strawberries, grapefruits, clementines and apricots. Here’s an original way to increase your vitamin C consumption, simply substitute lemon juice for the vinegar in your normal salad dressing.

Bold and Bright

Replete with beta carotene, this powerful antioxidant also prepares skin for tanning. Your best choices for filling up on this antioxidant are bell peppers, broccoli, watercress, carrots, spinach or your favourite from the cabbage family (Brussels’ sprouts, red cabbage). Melons, mangoes, yellow peaches and papayas will also help brighten your complexion.

Beauty from the Vine

Flavonoids are the pigments responsible for the red, orange and yellow colouring of fruit. Anthocyanidol, a product of the vine, is a key player in the fight against radicals. Foods combining these two essential elements are whortleberries, red grapes and red wine.

Terrific Tomato

The tomato’s lycopenes are the most powerful antioxidants within the carotenoid family. The tomato is also an important natural element in sun protection since it helps fight free radicals released by UV rays.

Vegetable Oils

The essential fatty acids contained in oils encourage cell maintenance and cell renewal and limit loss of moisture and skin dryness. Vitamin E, also contained in these oils, helps maintain skin softness and suppleness. For optimum results, vary the types of oil you use everyday: from olive oil, to canola oil, sunflower oil or grape seed oil.

Dairy Products, Meat and Eggs

Good sources of vitamin A (whole milk and non-skimmed dairy products), vitamins B5, B6 and B8 (liver, kidney, eggs, poultry, pork and beef), these foods provide skin with the necessary elements to improve resistance and tonicity.

Omega 3 and Fish

Essential fatty acids encourage cell regeneration and allow nutrients to circulate through your body’s blood stream. They also make up skin’s fundamental cells and facilitate the production of the lipid film. A diet lacking in fatty acids may lead to dry skin. Salmon is one of your best choices for taking advantage of this beauty benefit.

Shellfish

Seafood and shellfish are prized for their selenium and zinc contents since both of these trace elements capture free radicals. Selenium helps protect skin from outside aggressors and slows down ageing, while zinc has scarring properties and stabilizes skin problems, such as acne and dermatitis. Enjoy eating oysters, mussels, tuna and mackerel and enjoy younger looking skin.

Nuts, Hazelnuts and Almonds

Oleaginous fruit, such as nuts, hazelnuts and almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is renowned for its antioxidant properties. This helps stop skin ageing and ensures cellular stability. A handful of nuts can improve your skin tone and complexion!
 
Water

Undeniably the most essential element in your diet; water helps your body eliminate toxins. Once skin has been freed of its waste it can fight outside aggressors. The general recommendation is to drink at least 1.5 litres (2.5 during the summer) of fluid each day, either as tea, infusions, coffee or sparkling water. Fresh glowing skin is guaranteed!