Nutrition for Your Skin

Healthy eating is important, whether you want to lose weight, fight disease, or simply feel more balanced overall. However, when following nutrition advice regarding the changes that we want to make in our bodies, we often forget that the health and appearance of our skin also plays an important role in our wellness.

Nearly everyone knows the basic rules, such as drinking enough water to keep the skin hydrated, but you might find it hard to discern which foods are best at keeping skin looking good and free from damage. For example, certain foods can help you avoid inflammation and hormone imbalances, both of which tend to make your skin age faster. Incorporating these foods, even in small quantities, can take you a long way as far as slowing the aging process and helping your skin look its best.
The following are several suggestions from dermatologists and nutritionists for choosing the foods that protect your skin.

Most doctors agree that a diet that benefits your body in general is also good for your skin. So if you’re already following a healthy, balanced diet, then keep up the good work. If not, or to learn more about nutrition for your skin, simply read on for more tips.

Flavonoids, minerals, and certain vitamins such as A, C, and E, are cited repeatedly for their antioxidant properties. They protect you from the damage from molecules known as free radicals, which are linked to a number of diseases, including cancer.

To get the most vitamin A, think green. According to a recent article in the International Journal of Cancer, spinach is a top choice for fighting skin cancer, thanks to the positive influence of folate on cardiovascular health. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables also contain helpful amounts of vitamin A. Great choices include mangoes, papayas, carrots, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.

Did you know? Not only can you improve your skin’s health by eating certain foods. You can also apply them directly to your skin in the form of scrubs, masks, and even smoothies. Who knew you could get double the benefits by drinking your smoothie and wearing it on your face at the same time?

Vitamin C can help prevent skin lines brought on by damaging free radicals. Strawberries are one of the best sources. Either eat them often, or put them on your face as a scrub or mask for several minutes. Other dark berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries) are all high in vitamin C and have similar effects. Try antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice or seeds, another fruit that’s perfect for making a natural mask or scrub.

The main advantage of vitamin E is that it protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Good sources include vegetables such as spinach and asparagus, as well as nuts, beans, legumes, and seeds. Walnuts are a good choice for omega-3 fatty acids, which boost elasticity, and copper for increasing collagen production. Kidney beans contain zinc, known for fighting acne. Other smart choices include sunflower seeds and almonds (which are actually seeds and not nuts). Try a handful of either one, once a day.

Here’s one you might not have considered: the pumpkin, a great all-around health food! Pumpkins contain vitamins A, C, and E, and they also assist with skin hydration. Again, you can eat them in a variety of recipes, or make a softening mask for your face using a mixture of canned pumpkin, yogurt, and honey.

Tomatoes are another vegetable worth mentioning. They contain lycopene, which can help eliminate free radicals caused by sun exposure and help protect skin from further damage.

Selenium is another important nutrient for avoiding sun damage and skin cancer. Good sources include tuna and eggs.
Diseases associated with inflammation can have severely negative effects on your skin. Green tea fights inflammation, and there’s some evidence that it helps prevent skin cancer. Drink three cups a day for maximum benefit. If your eyes or skin are puffy, apply damp, chilled green tea bags to your eyes for about 15 minutes. The tea’s tannins act as an astringent on your skin.

Olive oil also fights inflammation. It’s easy to incorporate olive oil into your food preparation: Use it for cooking, as a dressing, and to replace butter and other unhealthy ingredients in virtually any recipe. You can also apply it directly on your skin or lips to smooth them.

The cocoa in dark chocolate hydrates the skin, so in addition to indulging in a square of high-quality dark chocolate, dermatologists also recommend treating your skin with a body cream containing cocoa.
Oatmeal has soothing properties when applied topically. Furthermore, from a nutritional standpoint, it’s one of the best foods you can eat for overall health. Be sure to avoid instant, sugar-laden varieties and choose steel-cut oats, whose minimal processing allows them to retain more vitamins. In general, it’s best to stay away from refined and processed foods that will damage your skin.

In addition to knowing about good nutrition and making a conscious effort to “eat right,” you should also consider the specific advantages of massage for your skin. For instance, massage improves circulation and lowers blood pressure. It also eliminates toxins and relieves stress, which often manifests itself as skin problems.
At Castle Thai Spa, we offer a variety of massage services, many of which can positively affect your skin’s health. For example, we can help your skin resist dryness and other signs of aging by complementing our acupressure techniques with the use of therapeutic oils.

Contact us today to book your next luxurious spa experience.