7 foods that work wonders for your skin!

A good skincare routine with natural and safe products is important for having beautiful skin, but did you know that certain foods can work wonders on your skin?

There is a growing body of research showing that diet greatly affects your skin.

What you eat can affect hormone balance , cause acne, and create or reduce inflammation. What you eat can also prevent premature aging of the skin. In fact, what you eat is almost as important as good skin care products.

1) Olive oil

In a 2012 study, researchers analyzed the diets of 1,264 women and found that higher consumption of olive oil (2 teaspoons a day) was associated with 31% fewer signs of aging compared to people who ate less than 1 teaspoon a day. Olive oil is 75% monounsaturated fatty acids, which act as anti-aging agents for the skin. Olive oil is also rich in the antioxidant polyphenol, which fights harmful free radicals.

Tip: Always have a small salad with every meal, which you can drizzle with two to three teaspoons of good extra virgin olive oil. It's healthy for both your health and your skin, and it's delicious!

2) Tomato

Tomatoes are very high in the antioxidant lycopene (lycopene levels are higher in cooked, processed tomatoes like tomato paste). Lycopene enhances the skin's natural SPF, but it is not a substitute for sunscreen! A daily intake of tomatoes in some form will protect your skin 30% more from harmful rays from the sun.

3) Oatmeal

Oatmeal will moisturize your skin from within. It is rich in vitamins that prevent wrinkles and your skin will look younger for longer.

Tip: Instead of brown/refined sugar in your oatmeal, add natural sweetness with chopped fruit. It's healthier and tastes even better! This is good advice because sugary carbohydrates tell your body to make insulin and increase production of the hormone androgen. Increased production of androgens causes the sebaceous glands in the skin to start secreting more oil, which then gets trapped inside the pores and causes acne and blemishes.

4) Green tea

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2011 showed that people who drank green tea daily for 12 weeks had skin that was more elastic and smooth, and had a quarter less sun damage when exposed to UV light compared to a control group. The antioxidants in green tea boost blood circulation and oxygen, which brings important nutrients to the skin and keeps it healthy.

Tip: Drink a cup of green tea every day. You can find many great teas at health food stores.

5) Kale

Kale is a vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family. Kale is one of the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that absorb and neutralize free radicals. Which in turn prevents wrinkles. Just a handful a day gives you more than enough of the recommended amount.

Tip: Kale can be a little hard to digest due to its high fiber content, steam it before adding it to your salad, or add it to your wok.

6) Water

Water keeps your skin hydrated. Water is the body's most important chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of our body weight. All the systems in the body depend on water. If you drink too little water, you will feel tired and fatigued, and this will also be reflected in your skin, which will look dull and tired. Drink at least 1-2 liters of water a day. If you are very active or exercise, you need even more.

Tip : Flavor the water with, for example, strawberries, cucumber and lemon. You can also flavor the water with different herbs, it looks inviting and it is healthy and delicious!

7) Walnuts

Walnuts contain omega-3 essential fatty acids that can improve skin elasticity. The nuts are also loaded with copper, a mineral that increases collagen production. Walnuts will soften the skin and prevent wrinkles.

Tip: Grab a handful of walnuts as a snack, include them in your breakfast mix or with your oatmeal!

When natural foods can do so much for your skin from the inside out , isn't it likely that concentrated natural ingredients used in skincare can do even more? Feel free to read our ingredient pages in the menu or go to our products here.