Finally! My first post of 2015 and we’re kicking off the year with how to get great-Looking skin. A number of readers and my past patients would always ask me about the secret to glowing skin. Frankly, there is no magical concoction. It entails a whole list of to do’s and definitely not scouring the isles for the latest wrinkle blasting, skin tightening, anti-ageing products. Here’s the deal…
Your skin is simply a reflection of what your insides are. Nourish your body well with balanced meals, fruits, veggies and a whole lot of colour, your skin will be boosting with happiness. Certain foods in our diet can protect our cells from degenerating quickly. This is a characteristic of a group of foods call antioxidants, which are compounds that are naturally found in food. Antioxidants protect our cells from free radicals, harmful chemical substances that are formed naturally in our bodies due to exposure to external factors such as air pollution, the sun and alcohol. Free radicals are believed to accelerate the ageing process by attacking healthy cells in our body.
Eating foods rich in antioxidants is just one way to get healthy skin. So, look at including these nutrients in your diet:
- Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, rock melon, kiwi fruit, tomatoes, leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage.
- Beta-carotene – converted to Vit A in the body: Sweet potato, carrots, potatoes, spinach, parsley, apricots, mangoes, paw paw.
- Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, cold pressed seed oils, olive oils, margarine , wheat germ, wholegrain products, nuts & seeds.
- Selenium: Wholegrain foods, seafood, lean meat, eggs
- Zinc: Wholemeal bread, wholegrains, milk, seafood, lean meat, chicken, legumes (lentils, beans)
Here’s my personal list of foods for my skin’s health:
- Broccoli
- Avocado
- Salmon
- Blueberries
- Tomatoes
- Oats
- Almonds
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Walnuts
- Strawberries
- Kiwi fruit
- Spinach
- Olives
- Loads and loads of water and herbal teas
As far as my beauty regimen goes, there’s really not much to it. A few products that I have been using for many years and have been good to my skin include: St Ives facial scrub, Clinique’s Hydrating Gel and Even Better Eyes, Nivea’s Daily Essentials Cleansing Wipes and Lucas’ Papaw for the absolute best lip balm ever. Find what works best for your skin but make sure it doesn’t break the bank!
Last but not least, getting enough and well deserved sleep! Apart from looking fresh and well rested, sleep is essential for overall health, feeling young and for a well functioning immune system. Some studies have demonstrated that getting enough sleep can help regulate hormones that are important to a properly functioning immune system in order to protect you from infections and illnesses effectively. This in turn will protect your body from cell damage and help you feel rejuvenated and look great! The aim – 8 hours of sleep is my ultimate target but definitely no less than 6!
Keep healthy, hydrated and well rested for that va va voom glow!
Dolphin Solutions
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