The new year is upon us and that means people have made their New Year’s resolutions. For those who were less than happy with the way their skin looked for most of 2014, making skin care a priority in 2015 is an easy choice.
While it’s tempting to test out the various skin care fads that continually go in and out of style, no skin regimen, no matter how promising it sounds, can help if a person isn’t taking care of their body. One of the best ways to do this is by sticking to a skin-healthy diet.
“Skin reflects what’s going on in your body, so a well-balanced diet is essential,” says Linda Wang, Founder, Karuna Face Masks. “Avoid processed foods loaded with chemicals and sugar. They can spike insulin levels, which can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores and premature aging. Drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated.”
According to The Gloss, it takes new skin cells between two and four weeks to reach the surface and replace old cells. That means small changes in a person’s diet can make a big difference in just a couple of weeks. So what exactly is a skin-healthy diet?
Four major nutritional players in healthy, glowing skin are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. All of these nutritious elements can help a person achieve younger, healthier looking skin when consumed on a regular basis.
Vitamin A
As an antioxidant, vitamin A is able to fight free radicals that promote aging in skin cells. Even better, this powerful little vitamin also encourages the growth of cells, helping skin replenish itself. Some of the best foods for an extra boost of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and squash.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has a number of healthy benefits for our bodies, and keeping skin young is one of them. With the ability to reverse damage from the sun and encourage the production of collagen, vitamin C is a must for anyone trying to take better care of their skin. Oranges, strawberries, kale, broccoli and red peppers are all full of vitamin C and should be added to the menu on a regular basis.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is great for boosting energy, but it also boosts collagen production and fights skin discoloration, keeping skin wrinkle-free and even-toned. While we get quite a bit of Vitamin D from soaking up a little sun, it’s not so easy to do over the winter when it tends to be cloudy. Try adding fish, portobello mushrooms, soy or almond milk and eggs to your diet when the sun refuses to shine.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids support a number of different important functions in our bodies, but they are also great for our skin. By supporting the membranes of cells, these fatty acids help to keep water in cells to keep skin hydrated. They also help keep inflammation in the skin down and help to reduce redness. To keep skin from looking puffy and red next year, make sure to get a healthy dose of flaxseed oil, walnuts, brussels sprouts and salmon.
The new year is the perfect time to make healthy life changes, and eating right can help people maintain their health while giving their skin the boost it needs to glow.