Make-up Manifesto: feed your skin

Erin Rice

Thursday 21 March 2013

It’s true that the food that you eat shows in your complexion.

Yes, skincare products can help our skin greatly, however, if you really want to notice a difference and have a healthy complexion it all whittles down to what you are eating.

There are many different types of food containing various skin enhancing ingredients and age-defying anti-oxidants that can provide the boost needed to get your skin glowing. So, to make it a little easier, I have listed the best and worst foods for your skin.

The good: Tomatoes – tests have shown that eating tomatoes can help protect against sunburn and skin ageing caused by sunlight exposure as they contain Lycopene; a powerful anti-oxidant which can help with issues such as skin elasticity and fine lines. Salmon – rich in Omega fatty acids, salmon is massively beneficial for healthy skin. Omega 3 fatty acids play a big part in our skin’s DNA and whether taken as a supplement or a food they are vital for a vibrant and radiant complexion. Pomegranates – contain an anti-oxidant called Polyphenol, which helps fight free radicals (toxins that speed up the ageing process) and regulates your blood flow. Either drinking pomegranate juice or eating one will help add moisture back into your skin and over time reduce the appearance of fine lines. Sunflower Seeds – rich in Vitamin E, sunflower seeds work at keeping your skin supple and reduce skin sensitivity. A small handful added to any meal can help keep your skin protected and nourished. Blueberries – are considered to be the highest food source of anti-oxidants. Blueberries also help fight free radicals and reduce cell damage. The bad: Sugar – as much as we all love a sweet treat, sugar is one of the biggest culprits causing dehydrated, dull skin. It is one of the main causes for skin inflammation and also reduces the appearance of plump skin as it attaches to collagen, a process called ‘Glycation’, which leads to loss of elasticity in the skin. Salt – a diet rich in salt will be visible in your complexion. Your skin will feel puffy, dry and flaky. Too much salt has also been known to have early ageing effects on the skin. Alcohol – ever woke up with a terrible hangover with spotty skin to accompany it? That’s because alcohol wreaks havoc on your skin. It sucks the moisture out of your skin leading to dry patches and redness. It is also one of the main triggers for blemishes.

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Make-up Manifesto: feed your skin

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